Research-Embedded Strategic Plan for Anti-Doping Education: Clean Sport Alliance Initiative for Tackling Doping in Para-Sport
▶Summary
Background The RESPECT-P project team included leading academic institutions in the field of clean-sport research: University of Birmingham, Leeds Beckett University, Kingston University London, & University of Muenster. Partners from National Anti–Doping Organisations of Austria, the Netherlands, UK, Ireland, & Slovenia provided practical expertise in clean sport promotion and doping. Working collaboratively, this team addressed key clean sport issues for para-athletes & Athlete Support Personnel (ASP). Objectives Our objectives were to:1.Guide future doping prevention research for para-sports.2.Expand our online platform to include para-athletes & ASP.3.Capture para-athletes’ & ASP’s voices & ensure they are represented in anti–doping discourse & policy–making.4.Involve para-athletes & ASP throughout.5.Involve para-athletes from outside WADA-regulated sports.6.Identify the unique needs for clean-sport education specific to para-athletes & ASP. Implementation To achieve our objectives, we:1.Reviewed relevant literature related to parasport.2.Added sections to our online platform dedicated to para-athletes & ASP.3.Conducted interviews & focus groups with ASP & para-athletes from 6 European countries.4.Involved para-athletes & ASP throughout the research process.5.Involved para-athletes from outside WADA-s regulated sport. 6.Utilised international expert opinion to identify the unique educational needs of para-athletes & ASP. Achievements The main project outcomes were:1.A report & 2 infographics depicting the scoping review on integrity in para-sport2.A film series and research paper raising awareness of ASP’s issues3.A film series portraying the meaning of clean para-sport4.A research paper & recommendations on the unique needs for clean-sport education of para-athletes & ASP5.An updated online platform with new sections for para-athletes & ASP6.2 successful dissemination events with recordings available online