Global Athlete Survey Results: Athlete Feedback on Anti-Doping Programs
11 March 2020: As a part of Global Athlete’s listening exercise, a survey was launched in September 2019. The survey resulted in 491 Athletes from 48 countries representing all continents from 40 summer and 16 winter sports providing feedback on national and international anti-doping programs.
Of the athletes surveyed 44% were actively competing with sport as their primary profession, 31% competing but not as a primary profession and 25% of the athletes were retired, 31% were Olympic Athletes, 8% Paralympic, 46% International level, 15% competed nationally.
Key outcomes of the survey included:
Athletes believe that National Anti-Doping Organizations are more independent than the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The majority of athletes feel that the World Anti-Doping Agency does not work transparently.
The majority of athletes feel that their National Anti-Doping Organization works transparently.
The majority of athletes feel that the World Anti-Doping Agency requires further governance reforms with athletes, and National Anti-Doping Organizations having an equal seat at the decision-making tables.
Athlete strongly believe that the WADA Charter of Athlete Rights should be fully embedded into the World Anti-Doping Code.
Athletes have more trust in anti-doping programs nationally than internationally.
The majority of athletes have trust in the efficiency of their National Anti-Doping Agency.
There is a need for more athlete representation within National Anti-Doping Organizations.
Global Athlete would like to thank the athletes, researchers, FairSport and Play the Game for their contribution to the survey.