Clean Sport Research Articles

“Eco-friendly HPLC method for analysis of dipyrone and hyoscine in different matrices with biomonitoring”

A selective, precise, and accurate reversed HPLC method has been developed and validated for simultaneous separation and determination of two veterinary drugs, dipyrone and hyoscine, in their combined dosage form in the presence of their official impurities, namely 4-aminoantipyrine and tropic acid, in addition to the formulated preservative: phenol. The linearity range was found to be (1.00–35.00 µg/mL) for dipyrone and (2.50–50.00 µg/mL) for hyoscine. It exhibited a satisfactory linearity regression R (0.9999) for both drugs with LOD 0.22 µg/mL and 0.72 µg/mL and LOQ 0.65 µg/mL and 2.19 µg/mL for dipyrone and hyoscine, respectively. Additionally, the two cited drugs were also determined in the presence of dipyrone active metabolite 4-aminoantipyrine using diclofenac as an internal standard in bovine urine. The linearity range was found to be (15–75 µg/mL) for dipyrone, (2.5–60 µg/mL) for hyoscine, and (2.5–60 µg/mL) for 4-aminoantipyrine with linearity regression R (0.9999–0.9998). The LLOQ (15, 2.5, 2.5 µg/mL), LQC (45, 7.5, 7.5 µg/mL), MQC (55, 25, 25 µg/mL), and HQC (60, 50 50 µg/mL) were determined for dipyrone, hyoscine and 4-aminoantipyrine, respectively. UV detection was carried out at 220 nm. The method was validated according to the ICH guidelines, as well as according to FDA guidelines for determining both drugs in bioanalytical matrices and both proved accuracy and precision. A statistical comparison was made between the results obtained and those obtained by the reported method, showing no significant difference in accuracy and precision at p = 0.05. The suggested method was proved eco-friendly through a greenness assessment using two different tools (The analytical eco-scale scored 83, and the AGREE-Analytical Greenness Metric approach scored 0.83). The suggested method can be used in the routine work of quality control labs, screening for drug abuse, and ensuring clean sport for horse racing.

Practical steps to develop a transcriptomic test for blood doping

Abstract Blood doping remains a significant problem that threatens the integrity of sport. The current indirect method for detecting blood doping involves the longitudinal measurement of an athlete’s haematological variables and identification of suspicious results that are indicative of doping (i.e., the athlete biological passport). While this has played a significant role in the protection of clean sport, improvements are needed. The development of a transcriptomic test, that can be used to detect the use of blood doping has been discussed and researched for decades and yet, an anti-doping test that can be adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is yet to be established. With recent advancements in our understanding, as well as in methods of sample collection, the possibility of a transcriptomic test that can be used by WADA, is imminent. There are, however, several practical considerations that must first be made, that will be highlighted in this perspective article.

DRUGS IN SPORTS AND RIGHT TO HEALTH: AN INDIAN PERSPECTIVE

Despite India's best efforts, the country has been ranked third on the global doping charts for the past three years running, starting in 2019. Rules and regulations for elite sports must be logically formulated and applied fairly across countries. Doping regulations in India have been the subject of much discussion, drawing attention to the disarray in the country's sports administration. Images of syringes in stadium restrooms have been ubiquitous for decades. Competitions in remote regions of India don't have anti-doping officers present, and if they were, the number of people who fail tests would be far higher. Even if professional athletes have gotten away with doping in the past, amateurs at all levels are putting their health at danger by trying it out in the hopes of landing a job or making the national team.[1] Aiming to promote clean sport, the World Anti-Doping Agency has created and is implementing harmonised regulations under the “World Anti-Doping Code, 2021”. The anti-doping experience varies from country to country because WADA depends mostly on National Anti-Doping Organizations to execute the Code. The existing framework, according to some academics, has an outsized effect on athletes hailing from underdeveloped nations. By examining fundamental problems with the Code's implementation in one such country—India—this essay adds to this discussion. [1] Yuji Takazawa, 'Relationship Between the Level of Willingness to Learn About Anti-Doping and Objective Knowledge Among Japanese University Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Study' (2022) 4 FRONTIERS IN SPORTS AND ACTIVE LIVING 54-68.

Safeguarding in Swiss Sport

In the fall of 2020, various publications of research into abuse and malpractice in Swiss sport caused consternation. As a result, on January 1, 2022, the Antidoping Switzerland Foundation was transformed into the Swiss Sport Integrity Foundation. The objective of the Foundation is to have an independent and secure point of contact for uncovering and eliminating ethics violations and abuses as quickly as possible. The Statutes on Ethics in Swiss Sport lists 4 cases and acts that are considered violations, which are: Mistreatment (and abuse), abuse of a position or function, unsporting behavior, and incitement, complicity, and attempted violations. To protect the right of athletes to a fair, safe and clean sport, all involved parties have to assume their role. The role of physicians can be summarized in the following actions: create a safe space, listen carefully, and support and inform effectively.

A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean Sport

Background. Doping is a real problem in sport and continues to be one of the most controversial topics, despite significant advancements in doping prevention. Lack of knowledge of the anti-doping regulations is one of the risk factors for doping. Currently, anti-doping education is focused on clean sport promotion. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the views on clean sport and doping prevention among athletes from various sports. Methods. A qualitative approach was used to examine athletes’ views on clean sport. Following a purposeful sampling technique, we interviewed eight men and one woman (Mage = 24.00, SD = 2.73 years) who were competing in various sports at the national level or above in Lithuania. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results. Analysis of interview data allowed to distinguish the following three broad themes related to athletes’ views on doping education and recommendations for improving it. The research participants shared their thoughts about the concept of clean sport, possible reasons that may encourage athletes to compete in sport clean, and discussed clean sport education. Conclusion. Clean sport can be understood as cheating-free sport. Possible reasons to compete clean in sport are unwillingness to experience shame and fear of damaging health. Athletes believe that current doping prevention is ineffective. Our findings show the importance of clean sport education for young athletes, however, adult education about clean sport could be more difficult. Keywords: doping, clean sport, anti-doping education.

"I RUN CLEAN Project"-An Innovative and Self-Sustainable Approach to Develop Clean Sport Behaviours in Grassroots Athletes.

The phenomenon of doping is a public health issue that poses threats to sport and society. In recent decades, the emphasis on efforts to address the issue and reduce the incidence of doping by young people in sport has shifted from deterrence through testing and punishment to the promotion of clean sport behaviours through values-based education. The "I Run Clean project" sought to develop new and effective tools targeting grassroots athletes and those around them (coaches, medical support personnel, sport leaders, parents). These included sport-specific e-learning and in-person peer-to-peer workshops led by trained volunteer ambassadors. The aim of all "I Run Clean" measures is to go beyond the warnings and provision of factual information about early anti-doping campaigns to a more holistic educational approach that focuses participants on their personal and sport-related values in order to encourage good decision-making and resistance to doping-related behaviours. This study evaluates the efficacy of the peer-to-peer workshops and their impact on selected psycho-social variables. The collaboration of the volunteer ambassadors is shown to effectively transmit the desired reasoning, reduce doping risk factors and enhance protective factors.

Construction of SERS chip based on silver nanoparticles and detection of sports doping β-agonists

Sports doping is a persistent challenge in competitive sports, undermining the integrity of athletic competitions and posing health risks to athletes. This study focuses on the development of a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) chip for the detection of β-agonists, such as clenbuterol, ractopamine, and salbutamol, which are commonly abused as performance-enhancing drugs. The SERS chip was constructed by depositing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) onto activated carbon (AC) as a substrate, utilizing their plasmonic properties and ease of synthesis. The successful loading of AgNPs onto AC was confirmed by SEM imaging, demonstrating a uniform distribution of AgNPs on the surface of AC. The SERS chip exhibited enhanced sensitivity in detecting β-agonists compared to conventional methods. The SERS signals of the analytes decreased with decreasing concentrations, indicating the chip's ability to detect low-concentration analytes. Notably, the AC/AgNPs composite demonstrated stronger SERS signals compared to AgNPs alone, attributed to the improved loading efficiency and electromagnetic field enhancement provided by the AC substrate. The detection limit of the AC/AgNPs SERS chip for clenbuterol, ractopamine, and salbutamol was found to be 0.003 mg/L, 0.001 mg/L, and 0.007 mg/L, respectively. The developed SERS chip offers rapid and sensitive detection of β-agonists in sports doping control. It overcomes the limitations of conventional methods, such as immunoassays and chromatographic techniques, in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and sample preparation time. The application of SERS in anti-doping efforts holds great promise for maintaining fair and clean sports competitions.

The Use of Social Media in Sport Doping Enforcement and Control

The increased prevalence of social media in organizational communication suggests that it is only a matter of time before it is used in sport doping prevention and control. This commentary intends to highlight not only how antidoping organizations and individual athletes are using social media to promote awareness to clean sport competition but also how the relationship between social media and various sport stakeholders may develop in the future. In particular, it focuses on three main areas in the intersection of social media and doping prevention: agenda-setting by antidoping organizations via formal social media campaigns, social norm control by athletes when they post on social media, and social media use by athletes and fans as a form of framing. Prospective research directions, as well as probable future uses of social media in doping enforcement and control, are also discussed, including using social media to monitor athlete whereabouts and to communicate directly with athletes in doping matters.

SHOULD I REPORT ABUSE? - ATTITUDES TOWARD DOPING TESTING AND ANONYMOUS REPORTING IN THE WHISTLEBOWER PROGRAMME

Despite all endeavours to prevent it, the use of performance-enhancing substances continues to occur in sports and social science research suggests that doping prevalence is likely much higher than what is found through testing. One of the ways to uncover doping violators is through reporting illicit drug use, through “doping whistleblowing” – the readiness to do so depends highly on the level of our moral development and the motivation to do so. It was exactly this method, which helped uncover some of the biggest doping scandals in sport in the past few years and our purpose in this study was to examine attitudes toward drug testing and anonymous reporting and see, if we can predict an athlete’s intention to report anonymously based on attitudes toward drug testing. 255 top athletes and coaches from Estonia and Slovenia-two small, athletically successful countries-participated in this study, 176 male and 79 female, 156 athletes and 99 coaches from team and individual sports. They filled out an attitudes questionnaire about drug testing and an anonymous report. The participants filled out a questionnaire online. We used t – test to compare subgroups of participants and correlation and linear regression to look for relations between doping attitudes and willingness to make an anonymous report. Comparisons of subgroups of participants revealed that female participants are more likely to believe that taking banned substances should be punished but are less likely to make an anonymous report. We also found that coaches seem to be better informed about the issue of doping than athletes and trust NADO more than athletes. We found several correlations between attitudes toward doping testing and those toward anonymous report and we tried to predict the willingness to make an anonymous report. We found several predictors, which were different for men and women. NADOs play an important role in creating conditions, which will enable people to report doping anonymously, but it has to be done both through education and through rigorous testing. This will ensure that whistleblowing can become an active part of the fight for clean sport.

SHOULD I REPORT ABUSE? - ATTITUDES TOWARD DOPING TESTING AND ANONYMOUS REPORTING IN THE WHISTLEBOWER PROGRAMME

Despite all endeavours to prevent it, the use of performance-enhancing substances continues to occur in sports and social science research suggests that doping prevalence is likely much higher than what is found through testing. One of the ways to uncover doping violators is through reporting illicit drug use, through “doping whistleblowing” – the readiness to do so depends highly on the level of our moral development and the motivation to do so. It was exactly this method, which helped uncover some of the biggest doping scandals in sport in the past few years and our purpose in this study was to examine attitudes toward drug testing and anonymous reporting and see, if we can predict an athlete’s intention to report anonymously based on attitudes toward drug testing. 255 top athletes and coaches from Estonia and Slovenia-two small, athletically successful countries-participated in this study, 176 male and 79 female, 156 athletes and 99 coaches from team and individual sports. They filled out an attitudes questionnaire about drug testing and an anonymous report. The participants filled out a questionnaire online. We used t – test to compare subgroups of participants and correlation and linear regression to look for relations between doping attitudes and willingness to make an anonymous report. Comparisons of subgroups of participants revealed that female participants are more likely to believe that taking banned substances should be punished but are less likely to make an anonymous report. We also found that coaches seem to be better informed about the issue of doping than athletes and trust NADO more than athletes. We found several correlations between attitudes toward doping testing and those toward anonymous report and we tried to predict the willingness to make an anonymous report. We found several predictors, which were different for men and women. NADOs play an important role in creating conditions, which will enable people to report doping anonymously, but it has to be done both through education and through rigorous testing. This will ensure that whistleblowing can become an active part of the fight for clean sport.

Achieving compliance with the global anti-doping system: the case of AMADA

The article is devoted to the study of achieving compliance with the global anti-doping system standards and norms, on the example of the Azerbaijan National Anti-Doping Agency (AMADA). The author describes the main steps taken by AMADA to develop clean sport and improve the country’s anti-doping legislation, highlights the main stages, program documents, and monitoring visits by international organizations to verify the compliance of the work carried out by AMADA with global standards, norms, and practices. Considering the importance and relevance of preserving and maintaining high ethical standards of athletes’ behavior in sports, the author points out the need for further improvement of the functioning of the anti-doping system and its compliance with global challenges.

변화하는 도핑검사관: 전문 도핑검사관으로 성장하기

This study is aimed to examine the process of growing into professional doping control officer in changing sports and doping scenes and ultimately contribute to the roles of clean sports by fulfilling their duties and responsibilities. In order to achieve the goal, qualitative case study was conducted on six doping control officers affiliated to KADA, and through that, results were drawn as follows. First, in the first step of growing into professional doping control officers, they appear as doping control officers striving for ‘learning’ and preparing. Second, in the second step of growing into professional doping control officers, with the ‘application’, they become exerts, and athletes become experts, too. Third, the final step of growing into professional doping control officers shows the path of completeness with ‘resolution’, and the process of learning, applying, and solving continues as a virtuous cycle. Meanwhile, in the overall process of this, the major axis of ‘communication’ appears as either facilitative or hindrance factors while they are growing into professional doping control officers.

THE USE OF PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES IN PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

This article briefly discusses the specifics of the use of psychiatric medications in the treatment of athletes and complications caused by the abuse of substances banned for use in professional sports. The article covers various groups of substances and methods prohibited for use in professional sports. Their use can cause athletes to be banned from professional sports for several years and lose their awards. The use of banned substances such as anabolic steroids, stimulants and drugs not only goes against the idea of clean sport and fairness, but also harms the health of athletes. The abuse of these substances has many negative effects on both physical and mental health. The research in this area confirms the high risk of psychiatric pathology associated with the use of anabolic steroids. Unfortunately, the use of anabolic steroids is no longer limited to athletes but is now reaching a wide range of the population, especially young people. And that's a really serious problem, given what I said earlier. Therefore, I think it is necessary to inform not only athletes, but also doctors about this problem. Because, once again, both high-achieving professional athletes and young people who do sports as amateurs may be among your patients. And knowing all these aspects, which I mentioned earlier, our goal is to protect them. Keywords: professional sport, doping, prohibited substances and methods, dependence.

Performance Enhancing Drugs and Methods of Doping: Mode of Action and Dope Testing Methodologies

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) monitors each sport worldwide to ensure freedom from drug abuse. Abuse of Drugs or procedures specifically which are banned by WADA to artificially enhance the efficiency of sports-person is called DOPING. The ban is imposed due to the side-effects of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), lack of fairness in sports, and the deterioration of sport for the public. The use of PEDs damaging the spirit of sport, and therefore banned, by WADA and the International Olympic Committee. Fair play is a prerequisite to promote clean and safe sports. Doping is the intentional use of banned PEDs by athletic competitors that may be overtly or covertly assisted by Athlete support personnel. Besides, athletes (or athletic programs) taking unambiguous actions to escape exposure make worse the fair disobedience with dishonesty and cheating. Immunoassay, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS), Gel Electrophoresis, and Bio- /Chem-iluminescence technologies have been traditionally used in dope testing. There is a strong continuous requirement for further improving the quality of dope testing setups, processes, and procedures. Adoption of emerging technologies like metabolomics and the use of other omic technologies shall play a big role in continual improvements in dope testing. The present system in Doping Control is required to function in a more globally competitive, coordinated, and proactive manner. This review will outline a brief overview of the PEDs, their health impacts, history of their use, and their pharmacological impact. It also analyses comprehensive information on the Dope Testing Technologies available and in the offing.

The good, the bad, and the ugly: A qualitative secondary analysis into the impact of doping and anti-doping on clean elite athletes in five European countries

ABSTRACT Protecting clean sport, and the rights of athletes to a clean sport environment, is at the centre of anti-doping policies. To better support and enable clean athletes and sport, an understanding of the clean athlete lifeworld is required. The current study explored the ways that clean athletes are personally affected by others’ actual or suspected instances of doping and anti-doping rule violations, and by aspects of the anti-doping system. Qualitative Secondary Analysis (QSA) was used to re-analyse and interpret 13 focus group transcripts generated from the ‘Research-Embedded Strategic Plan for Anti-Doping Education Clean Sport Alliance Initiative for Tackling Doping’ (RESPECT) project (see Petróczi et al., 2021b). The sample in the parent study included 82 self-declared clean elite athletes, from Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Slovenia, and the UK. Reflexive thematic analysis generated three overarching themes: The harm done by clean athletes having to coexist with dopers, how clean athletes are undermined by a disingenuous interest in clean sport, and the anxiety experienced by clean athletes over mistakes that could lead to anti-doping rule violations. The impacts of doping on clean athletes – direct or indirect – are experienced by all clean athletes in some way. The results indicate that current approaches to anti-doping rule compliance frequently undermine clean athletes and the perceived legitimacy of the anti-doping system.

Process development for the total synthesis of the novel drug metabolite Carboxy toremifene as a standard reference material along with characterization and purity assessment for the Antidoping quality Control Purposes.

Tamoxifen and toremifene are two selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) commonly used to treat breast cancer in women. Toremifene is well-known as a triphenylethylene derivative. Carboxy toremifene is a common metabolite of toremifene and tamoxifen. Since 2005, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has banned the SERMs category during in and out of competition. These substances are in the S4 category in the WADA prohibited list as "agents with anti-oestrogenic activity." However, there is no commercially accessible carboxy toremifene reference material in the market. This research highlights the novel synthetic procedure, the development of a carboxy toremifene HPLC method, and validation, along with detailed characterization using advanced analytical techniques using 1 H NMR, HRMS, FT-IR-ATR and UV-visible spectroscopy. RP-HPLC-DAD method was developed and validated to assess the purity of carboxy toremifene. Developed reference material has shown 100% purity. Therefore, we recommend that this synthesized carboxy toremifene may be used as reference material to strengthen the WADA-accredited lab to maintain a clean sports mission during sports competitions.

New Legal Reality: Exterritoriality of Criminal Law as Part of the Fight Against Doping, or the Legal Phenomenon of the «Rodchenkov Act»

The development of the world anti-doping culture is currently accompanied by numerous problems. This article presents an analysis of the principle of extraterritoriality of criminal law in connection with the «Rodchenkov Act». Information wars, the application of alternative standards of proving, the use of collective liability mechanisms towards «clean» athletes and, finally, the «Rodchenkov Act» - all of these initiated destabilizing changes in high-performance sport. The goal of current research is to determine the specific features of the practice of extending criminal norms beyond the national jurisdiction as part of fighting against doping. The authors analyze the foreign experience of using the exterritoriality of the USA from the standpoint of the effects doctrine. It is stated that, as a legal phenomenon, the USA-promoted exterritoriality contradicts the UNO Charter, and undermines the global anti-doping rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) by actually duplicating the law within just the limits of its own jurisdiction. It appears that the extraterritorial character of law is a legal construction that is exceptional and impossible in the normal course of events whose application (the «Rodchenkov Act») could result in the loss of the spirit of «clean sport». It is determined that the uniformity of rules for all athletes, organizations and other persons in high-performance sport is the basis of WADAs anti-doping program. The practice of anti-doping investigations is examined. The authors stress the necessity of keeping the balance between the interests of the sides in the procedures of doping control while observing the principle of fair play. The authors have summarized the historical experience and presented the practice of extending criminal norms beyond the borders of national jurisdiction as part of fighting against doping.

The role of personal commitment to integrity in clean sport and anti-doping

BackgroundDespite widespread reference to protecting ‘clean sport’ and the rights of ‘clean athletes’ in anti-doping, to date very little attention has been paid to athletes who are, in majority, committed to clean sport. Understanding elite athletes’ conceptions of ‘clean sport’ and integrity, the psychosocial factors related specifically to athletes’ commitment to personal integrity and clean sport behaviour (as opposed to factors influencing anti-doping rule-breaking) provides a crucial, but currently missing, piece for anti-doping education. MethodsDrawing upon two complimentary theories (the Incremental Model of Doping Behaviour, and Personal Integrity) for coding frame, we employed a qualitative secondary analysis (QSA) approach to re-analyse in-depth life-story interviews of 14 elite athletes (9 males/5 females) from Germany, Italy, and the UK, representing 11 sports across high (n = 8), medium (n = 3) and low risk (n = 3) categories for doping. Interview data were originally collected for the SAFE YOU+ project to underpin illustrative case studies produced as educational material. QSA was conducted on this evidence within the constructivist research paradigm using thematic analysis through adductive reasoning. ResultsElite athletes' conceptions of clean sport and commitment to personal integrity presented on a continuum from a strict position to use no substances at all through to the carefully calibrated use of non-prohibited substances/methods for the purpose of enhancing performance. There was a clear distinction between commitment to clean sport and anti-doping. Factors that threaten elite athletes’ personal commitment to clean sport, and thus could push them towards doping included intrinsic concerns (medical, financial, performance), perceptions of legitimacy in the anti-doping system, descriptive doping norms and identity. Factors that may help athletes build and maintain personal commitment to clean sport, and their personal commitment to a clean sport environment, involved acceptance, anti-doping environment, motivation, permitted means to enhance performance and multi-dimensional identity. Doping was seen as the consequence of lapse in, or a lack of, personal commitment to clean sport. ConclusionFor the first time, empirical evidence has differentiated between commitment to clean sport, and anti-doping. Results from this investigation highlighted that the process by which abstract values are operationalized into personal value-systems and priorities, and enacted, are complex and fluid. Values-based, anti-doping education therefore should adopt a holistic and broad approach to reach beyond the values of sport within the context of anti-doping and consider the complex role of personal integrity and commitment to clean sport. Emphasis on the impact of anti-doping rule breaking on peers, society and culture is recommended in addition to greater awareness of one's responsibility for performance-enhancement related actions, and a clean sport mindset among athletes which extends beyond the sporting environment.

The quest for harmonisation in anti-doping: an Indian perspective

The World Anti-Doping Agency aims to promote clean sport through the introduction and implementation of harmonised rules under the World Anti-Doping Code, 2021 (the Code). Since WADA relies heavily on National Anti-Doping Organisations to implement the Code, the experience of anti-doping differs across countries. Some scholars argue that the current framework disproportionately impacts athletes from developing countries. This paper contributes to this debate by analysing systemic issues in the implementation of the Code in one such country—India. The legitimacy of anti-doping in India has been questioned as a result of the recent suspension of the National Dope-Testing Laboratory, a series of false positive tests, accusations of significant procedural and substantive errors by domestic tribunals, and access to justice challenges. Given the prevalence of doping in India, alongside the accumulation of recent controversies and push for reform, a deeper analysis of anti-doping in the country is warranted. The lack of compliance in India with certain requirements set out in the Code, as well as the failure to meet “best practice” standards set by other jurisdictions, is evidence that there is a lack of harmonisation in implementing anti-doping rules and procedures across countries. This paper contributes to the debate on the impact that a lack of harmonisation in the implementation of the Code can have on the legitimacy of the anti-doping framework. From a policy perspective, the proposed research agenda and recommendations can be applied to promote reform in India and other jurisdictions, especially in developing and emerging countries.

The Meaning of "Clean" in Anti-doping Education and Decision Making: Moving Toward Integrity and Conceptual Clarity.

With the World Anti-Doping Agency's International Standard for Education (ISE) coming into effect in 2021, the clean-sport movement is at a pivotal stage. Through this conceptual paper we juxtapose the sector-wide anti-doping education as set out in the ISE on the decision-making process at the individual level. We discuss three critical issues for the clean-sport movement. First, we make the case for doping being a “wicked” problem and outline the possible implications of this for prevention and detection. Second, we consider why we need to address regulative, normative, and cognitive components of clean sport if we are to maximize its legitimacy. Third, we critically expose the fluidity with which clean sport is defined, and the implications of defining clean sport in substance- vs. rule-based terms, which, respectively, lead to theorizing clean sport as “drug-free” vs. “cheating-free” sport. Finally, we consider the role and key components of anti-doping education and how the relevance of certain components may be dependent on the way clean sport is defined. Conceptualizing doping as a sport integrity issue, we move away from the archaic and delimiting view of clean sport as drug-free sport and conclude with recommendations on how to reconcile values-based education, awareness raising, information provision and anti-doping education within the broader scope of integrity, to support informed decision making and personal agency. To connect anti-doping education to individual-level decision making, we recommend a staggered approach in which specific education content is linked to different influences in the decision-making process, to different stages of athlete development, and to different educational goals. Emphasizing and encouraging sensemaking in anti-doping decision making offers a pragmatic approach for anti-doping education. Conceptual clarity and precise mapping of the educational goal, content, and delivery is vital for valid and meaningful evaluation of the effectiveness of anti-doping education.