Olympic Council of Asia stresses the dangers of doping

Dr Venera Abdulla, member of the Olympic Council of Asia’s Anti-Doping Commission, led a workshop for athletes aged 11 to 16 during the OCA-ISU-CAIC Asian Junior Figure Skating Camp in Harbin. The workshop focused on the use of prohibited substances and compliance with regulations.

The seminar highlighted the threats and consequences of using illegal methods that violate anti-doping rules. Dr. Venera Abdulla explained that the final seminar of the Harbin summer camp focused on the topic of "What figure skaters need to know about anti-doping."

Dr. Venera Abdulla shares with young athletes the dangers of doping

The educational programme is part of the Olympic Council of Asia's "Safeguarding the Asian Games" initiative, which includes sessions on Olympic values, safeguarding and preventing match manipulation.

The main goal is to raise participants’ awareness of their responsibility for what goes into their bodies and systems, and to emphasize the importance of carefully verifying the legality of the substances they use. Ignorance does not absolve them of responsibility — athletes must familiarize themselves with the rules in order to comply with them. Good education helps young athletes avoid actions that could end their careers prematurely.

The Olympic Council of Asia aims to educate athletes and coaches not only on the field of play but also on the practices and habits required outside of sport in preparation for competitions.

“This presentation will be very valuable to you in the future, when you aim to compete at the Asian Games and the Olympics,” Dr. Venera Abdulla shared with the young athletes.

Dr. Venera Abdulla made her presentation more visual by including real-life examples, including Spanish pair skater Laura Barquero, who is currently serving a six-year ban for testing positive for a banned substance in her skin cream.

Athletes and coaches were instructed on 11 anti-doping rule violations, which substances are prohibited and how to test for drugs, as well as being aware of the dangers of using dietary supplements.

To encourage participation, students who answered Dr Abdulla’s questions correctly were awarded commemorative T-shirts. Among the athletes who received awards were Rafif Putra from Indonesia, Aarush Tiwari from India and Pham Van Minh from Vietnam, according to the official portal of the Olympic Council of Asia.

In a relaxed and fun atmosphere, Dr. Venera Abdulla taught the young athletes the meaning of the acronym TUE, a basic term in anti-doping terminology. The answer is 'Therapeutic Use Exemption'. According to Dr. Venera Abdulla, in some cases, athletes can request permission to use drugs that are on the banned list.

The doctor also stressed to athletes that any misunderstanding could have serious consequences. If an athlete requires a specific medication, it must be prescribed by a doctor and used only with proper medical permission. If the substance is prohibited under anti-doping rules, a doctor may authorize its use in exceptional cases, depending on circumstances such as the type of competition, the athlete’s characteristics and the dosage. Any use without permission would be a violation of the regulations and could result in penalties under the regulations.

These camps aim to educate young athletes about anti-doping, Olympic values ​​and the prevention of competition manipulation, while also developing their sporting skills. The camps are held in both summer and winter and focus on a variety of sports, with a particular emphasis on figure skating, ice hockey, curling and cross-country skiing. In addition to preparing young athletes for sport, the camps also promote cultural exchange between young athletes.

Thanks to its top-notch facilities and experience hosting international events, Harbin has become an important centre in Asia for developing young winter sports talent.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/hoi-dong-olympic-chau-a-nhan-manh-ve-moi-nguy-hiem-cua-doping-20250825161518989.htm