ISU Anti-Doping Program Goes to ITA

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Isu partners With Ita to Bolster Anti-Doping Program Ahead Of 2026 Winter Olympics

The International Skating Union (ISU), the governing body for figure skating, speed skating, and short track speed skating, has officially joined forces with the International Testing Agency (ITA) to enhance its anti-doping program. Effective July 2025, this collaboration marks a notable step toward ensuring clean sport and independent anti-doping governance within the skating disciplines.

Ita To Oversee Isu’s Anti-Doping Efforts

under this agreement, the ITA assumes full operational responsibility for all aspects of the ISU’s anti-doping program. This includes ensuring compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and related International Standards. The ITA will manage risk-based test distribution, executing both in- and out-of-competition testing for international-level skating athletes throughout the season and at major international competitions. testing will be carried out by a global network of ITA-accredited personnel, using an intelligence-led approach to maximize effectiveness.

A primary focus of the program will be preparing ISU athletes for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, ensuring they compete under robust, independent anti-doping measures.

Athlete Biological Passport And Therapeutic Use Exemptions

The Ita Will Oversee The Isu’s Athlete Biological Passport (Abp) Program, providing longitudinal monitoring of biomarkers to detect potential doping over time. Therapeutic Use Exemptions (Tues) will be processed through the Ita’s International Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee (Ituec), ensuring fair and transparent treatment for athletes with legitimate medical needs.

Independent Results Management and Investigations

In cases of potential anti-doping rule violations, the ITA will conduct all results management proceedings with complete independence, ensuring procedural fairness. Together, the ITA will integrate intelligence and investigative (I&I) capacities into the ISU’s anti-doping efforts. This integration supports more refined program implementation and the detection of non-analytical anti-doping rule violations. The ITA has already been supporting the ISU with I&I activities in recent months.

Dedicated Education Program For Athletes

A key aspect of the collaboration is a dedicated education program, jointly developed by the ITA and ISU. This program includes a multi-year education plan, tailored webinars, in-person education at key ISU events, and ongoing support for athletes and support personnel.monitoring and evaluation tools will also be used to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives, reinforcing values-based learning and long-term athlete development.

Doping Control Program For Neutral Athletes

A tailored doping control program will be established for eligible neutral athletes (AIN) from Russia and Belarus. This is in anticipation of their potential reinstatement into ISU competitions and participation in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. This program ensures these athletes undergo rigorous, intelligence-driven testing conducted by independent sample collection personnel, with all samples analyzed in WADA-accredited laboratories outside of Russia. This approach underscores the joint commitment of the ITA and ISU to neutrality, transparency, and the integrity of the global anti-doping system.

“With this partnership, the ISU is making a strong and meaningful statement: that integrity, good governance and clean sport are at the heart of skating’s future,” said Ita Director General Benjamin Cohen.

The Growing Importance Of Independent Anti-Doping Programs

The partnership between the ISU and the ITA highlights a growing trend in sports governance: the increasing reliance on independent bodies to manage anti-doping programs. This shift aims to eliminate conflicts of interest and enhance trust in the fairness of competition. As of June 2024,several other major sports organizations have also partnered with independent agencies like the ITA to oversee their anti-doping efforts,including World Athletics and FIFA.

Organizations are recognizing that independent oversight is crucial for maintaining credibility and protecting athletes’ rights. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) continuously updates its code to reflect best practices. They also encourage sports federations to adopt independent anti-doping programs. This proactive approach helps ensure a level playing field for all athletes.

Did You Know?

The ITA manages the anti-doping programs for several Olympic Winter International Federations, including the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF), the International Luge federation (FIL), and the International Ski Mountaineering Federation (ISMF).

Key Components Of A Robust Anti-Doping Program

A robust anti-doping program typically includes several key components:

• Risk-based testing: Identifying athletes most likely to dope and targeting them for testing.
• athlete education: Providing athletes with the information they need to make informed decisions about supplements and medications.
• Independent oversight: Ensuring that the program is free from conflicts of interest.
• Strong sanctions: Deterring athletes from doping by imposing significant penalties.

These components work together to create a comprehensive system that protects clean athletes and upholds the integrity of sport.

Component	Description	Benefit
Risk-Based Testing	Targeted testing based on intelligence and risk assessment.	Efficiently detects doping practices.
Athlete Education	comprehensive educational resources on anti-doping rules.	Empowers athletes to make informed choices.
Independent Oversight	Program management by an independent agency.	Ensures impartiality and transparency.
strong Sanctions	Significant penalties for doping violations.	Deters doping and protects clean athletes.

The ISU and ITA’s partnership embodies these principles,setting a new standard for anti-doping efforts in international skating.What measures do you think are most effective in preventing doping in sports? How can technology further enhance anti-doping efforts?

Frequently Asked Questions About Isu And Ita Anti-Doping Program

• Question: What is the main goal of the ISU and ITA partnership regarding anti-doping?
  Answer: The primary goal is to ensure fair competition and protect the integrity of skating sports through a robust and independent anti-doping program.
• Question: How will the independent anti-doping program affect athletes preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics?
  Answer: The program will provide rigorous and independent testing and monitoring to ensure athletes compete under the highest standards of anti-doping measures.
• Question: What role does the ITA play in the ISU’s anti-doping efforts?
  Answer: The ITA assumes full operational responsibility for the ISU’s anti-doping program, including test distribution, sample collection, and results management.
• Question: What measures are in place for neutral athletes regarding doping control?
  Answer: Neutral athletes will be subject to rigorous, intelligence-driven testing conducted by independent personnel, with samples analyzed in WADA-accredited laboratories outside of russia.
• Question: What is the athlete biological passport (ABP) program, and how is it managed?
  Answer: The ABP program involves longitudinal monitoring of selected biomarkers to detect potential doping over time, managed by the ITA.
• Question: How will the ISU and ITA ensure athletes receive adequate anti-doping education?
  Answer: A dedicated education program, jointly developed by the ITA and ISU, will include multi-year plans, webinars, in-person education, and ongoing support.
• question: Why is independent anti-doping governance important for sports like skating?

  How will the transition to ITA oversight impact the frequency and scope of anti-doping testing for elite skaters?

  ISU Anti-Doping Program Transition to ITA: Strengthening Fair Play in skating Sports

  The International Skating Union (ISU), the governing body for figure skating and speed skating, has made a important move to enhance it’s anti-doping program. This transition involves transferring its anti-doping responsibilities to the why the ISU Chose the ITA for Anti-Doping

  The decision to partner with the ITA reflects the ISU’s commitment to ensuring a level playing field and upholding the values of fair competition. the ITA, an autonomous association, brings unparalleled expertise and resources to the fight against doping. This shift offers several advantages:

  • Independence and Impartiality: ITA operates independently from sports federations, ensuring unbiased management of anti-doping programs. This includes doping control, sample collection, and results management.
  • Specialized Expertise: The ITA employs a team of specialists with extensive knowledge of anti-doping regulations, testing procedures, and results management.
  • Global Reach: The ITA’s global network allows for comprehensive testing programs, crucial for detecting and deterring doping across various countries and competitions.this provides global anti-doping coverage.
  • Enhanced Athlete Support: The ITA’s athlete-centered approach includes educational programs and resources, fostering a culture of clean sport.

  Key Benefits of the ITA Partnership

  The partnership promises multiple benefits for the ISU, its athletes, and the sport as a whole. The goals are to increase the efficiency of anti-doping testing and improve overall compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

  Here’s a summary of the advantages:

  Benefit	Description
  Increased Independence	Ensures unbiased submission of regulations and results management.
  improved Testing Programs	Increased out-of-competition testing and enhanced risk assessment.
  Stricter sanctions	ITA’s authority enhances consistency in applying sanctions and penalties for violations.
  Athlete Education	Comprehensive educational programs promoting awareness of prohibited substances and procedures.

  Impact on Athletes and the Sport

  The transition is directly aimed at protecting athletes who compete clean. Athlete protection is a primary concern. With the ITA managing the ISU anti-doping program,athletes can have greater trust in the fairness of competitions. This boosts confidence within the skating community.The focus on education and proactive testing helps deter doping and supports athletes in adhering to the rules.

  Practical Tips for Athletes

  Athletes should proactively understand the changes implemented by the ITA and remain vigilant in thier efforts to remain compliant.

  • Know the Rules: Stay updated on the World Anti-Doping Code and the ISU’s anti-doping policies. Regularly review the The Future of Anti-Doping in Skating Sports

    The partnership between the ISU and ITA represents a proactive step toward a cleaner and more transparent sporting environment. By leveraging the experience and resources of ITA, the ISU aims to further strengthen its anti-doping measures and protect the integrity of figure skating and speed skating. The commitment to fight against doping in sport is a continuous process.

    The focus and dedication of the ISU to anti-doping efforts, now with the ITA, indicates promise for the future of the sport. Watch for continued advancements in anti-doping technologies and educational efforts,all helping to protect clean athletes and promote fair play.