Follow us on: facebook icon twitter_icon Instagram you tube icon

FacebookTwitterYoutube
 > Home Page > About > Latest News > PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF TRIATHLON IN AUSTRALIA

PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF TRIATHLON IN AUSTRALIA


PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF TRIATHLON IN AUSTRALIA



March 11, 2015

With the recent spate of news reports about integrity failures in other sports, it is important that we renew our commitment to protecting the integrity of triathlon in Australia.  This is a two way partnership between Triathlon Australia as the governing body of the sport, and you as a member of the triathlon community in Australia.  We have the responsibility to create a framework consisting of policies and documents which outline the expectations on our members, participants and stakeholders.  And you as triathlon community members have a responsibility to make decisions and behave in a way which reflects well on our sport. 
 
In July 2013, Triathlon Australia developed an Integrity Framework which covers four areas of integrity:
  1. Doping
  2. Race-Fixing
  3. Illicit substances
  4. Member Protection (against harassment, bullying, intimidation)

You can access the Integrity Framework and its supporting documents on our website – click here >> 
 
To help ensure that doping is not occurring in triathlon, we will be commencing anti-doping testing on age group athletes at several events this year.  As a start, we will be collecting blood and urine samples at the Mooloolaba Triathlon this weekend, and at the IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championships in Melbourne next weekend. 

All competitors in sanctioned triathlon events are subject to the Triathlon Australia Anti-Doping Policy and are therefore eligible to be selected for a blood or urine test. Your obligation as a competitor is simple – do not take banned performance enhancing substances.  If you are unsure about the status of a substance or medication, it is important that you check it.  The easiest way of doing this is through the ASADA “Check your Substance” service which can be accessed from the ASADA website or by calling  1300 027 232.

If you are taking medication for a legitimate medical condition, it is possible to request a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).  Details of this process are available on the ASADA website. If you would like to know more about how the testing process works or other aspects of anti-doping in Australia, the ASADA on-line education program is excellent.  You can access it from the ASADA website too.
 
If you become aware of any behaviour or attitudes which you believe compromise the integrity of our sport, we strongly encourage you to provide information on these matters. You can do this confidentially and anonymously.  We have contracted an independent organisation called Stopline to provide a confidential information provision (whistleblowing) service to triathlon.  Even if you are unsure about your concerns, or you are confused about someone’s behaviour, you can call Stopline to discuss what you have seen or heard.  Information about any type of integrity issue can be provided and / or discussed with Stopline by calling 1300 30 45 50 or by sending an email to triathlonaustralia@stopline.com.au.  If your concerns are specifically about doping, it is best to call the ASADA Stamp Out Doping Hotline on 13 000 27232.
 
Let’s work together to keep triathlon the fair, respectful sport that we all want it to be.

Anne Gripper
Chief Executive Officer
Triathlon Australia