Clean Athlete With A Ban
Empower Clean Athletes Against WADA Bans
Contact us to support clean athletes facing unjust bans.
About
Empowering Clean Athletes
A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting clean athletes in their fight against WADA in anti-doping cases.
Clean athletes often face potential bans due to an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF), despite having no intention of doping.
Such cases frequently involve contamination or spiked substances beyond the athlete's control.
Science & data
Empowering Lives Through Guidance
Our mission is to support and empower individuals through evidence-based guidance and scientific data analysis.
Mental Health
Athletes accused of doping may experience significant mental consequences, especially when they are clean athletes who uphold the values of a clean and fair sport.
40% Bans for non-intentions
In 2016, De Hon OM discovered that 40% of banned athletes unintentionally used prohibited substances or medications.
De Hon OM. Striking the right balance: Effectiveness of anti-doping policies. Utrecht University; 2016.
Contamination by Science
Its proven by science that contamination of aproves medicines can lead to an AAF.
Generic Pharmaceuticals as a Source of Diuretic Contamination in Athletes Subject to Sport Drug Testing.
Amy Eichner, Laura A. Lewis, Bridget Leonard, Ryan M. Van Wagoner, Daniel Eichner 2 and Matthew N. Fedoruk
Trustworthy analysis
A study from 2022 states:
"The lack of clearly defined criteria for doping tests carries a great risk of punishing innocent athletes and undermines the fight against doping in international sports."
False Positive
Sometimes, a situation arises where a genuine athlete receives an Adverse Analytical Finding due to a false positive result.
Spiking
Proving spiking in elite sport and anti-doping is a challenging task. This practice is prevalent in nightlife establishments and can even occur in professional sports settings.
What to do!
Receiving an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from WADA is a life-changing moment. If you are certain you haven’t misued medicines and are unaware of the substance or its source, we have created a list of steps to guide you through this challenging time.
We understand that you may feel stressed, shocked, saddened, or even terrified. It’s important to seek support from your closest family and friends. Lean on them for strength as you prepare for what may be the toughest battle of your sporting career.
Stay strong and keep fighting. Don’t let the weight of negative stigma overwhelm you. You’re not alone, and with determination and the right support, you can face this challenge head-on.
Receiving the AAF
The process of receiving the Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) varies among the National World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) units. Some national units are able to deliver the AAF within 1-2 days, while others may take anywhere from 50 to 75 days to complete the delivery.
The complete timeline
Construct a chronological sequence of events leading up to the anti-doping collection time. Include details such as your accommodation, dining venues, and activities undertaken.
Note, when was your latest clean sample?
Consult with a Legal Professional
Having a knowledgeable expert to guide you through legal proceedings is essential.
Collect and analyze products
Collect and analyze your food, nutrition, supplements, or TUE approved medicines for contamination analysis.
It is necessary to seek approval from the national WADA office for the analysis process.
Your products need to be same batch and lot as used at the time of the urine sample collection.
Re-sampling Procedure
If you receive the Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) notification within a few days after the collection date, it is advisable to collect a new urine sample for further analysis. This additional sample can be instrumental in investigating the substance's half-life curve, determining how long the substance has been present in your body, and assessing the quantity detected.
However, if the AAF notification is received at a later time, this option is no longer viable.
Collect and Analyze Hair and Nails
Consult with a specialized laboratory capable of conducting thorough analysis of substances present in hair and nails. This examination can assist in demonstrating that there has been no systematic misuse of medications over an extended period (systematic doping), but rather a minor instance of contamination from a small single dose.
Inquire with the laboratory regarding their accreditation for serving as evidence in cases recognized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Laboratory Documentation
Upon receiving the AAF, it is important to acquire the necessary documentation from the WADA laboratory.
Take the time to carefully review the document as there may be errors present (which we have encountered in previous cases). It is advisable to have a friend or a family member review it with a fresh perspective.
Ensure that each piece of information provided is meticulously detailed.
Contact venues
According to your specific timeline, it is essential to reach out to all potential venues. Make sure to inquire about relevant details and request samples of their products for thorough analysis whenever feasible.
The substance
Understanding the substance is critical. Whether familiar with it or not, it's essential to gain a comprehensive understanding of the substance found in the AAF.
Creating an overview detailing the substance's functions and potential side effects is crucial.
Consider enlisting the expertise of a sports scientist, toxicologist, or pharmacist to provide valuable support in this endeavor.
Your Statement
Creating your statement requires dedicated time and effort.
Make sure to encompass all discoveries, conduct re-testing, perform thorough analysis, and carry out an investigation to pinpoint the source of contamination.
Psychology and mental health
It is highly recommended to seek the guidance of a sports psychologist right from the start. The journey ahead is bound to be filled with numerous challenges and fluctuations.
Navigating the process of avoiding a ban can be quite demanding, and returning to elite-level sports following an unjust ban presents its own set of complications. Throughout this entire ordeal, continuous support is essential.
Ban & Appeal
When you present your statement to the national WADA agency, it's essential to await feedback before deciding on your next course of action.
After delivering your statement, you will need to assess the potential sanctions that may be imposed on you. Consider what restrictions you may face and strategize on how to navigate them.
If a ban is imposed following the evaluation of your case, you have the option to challenge the decision through an appeal process. Ultimately, if necessary, you can take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Team & Sponsors
When an athlete faces an unfair ban or is going through the Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) process, it is essential to stand by them.
Some teams and sponsors might withdraw support during such challenging times, while others continue to endorse their athletes.
It is crucial for athletes to have open communication with their managers regarding such situations.
Being transparent and open about the unfair ban or AAF process can help maintain trust and integrity within the team.
This fosters a culture of support, fairness, and accountability, showing that the team stands united behind their athletes.
Media & PR
No clean athlete wishes to be associated with systematic doping.
It can be particularly challenging for clean athletes to maintain a presence on social media and in the public eye when faced with accusations of doping.
PR guidence is adviced.
Who we are
Clean Athletes
We are a united collective of athletes who, without resorting to any form of medications or enhancements, have personally or indirectly encountered the repercussions of receiving an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF), embarking on a prolonged struggle with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to authenticate purity and uphold sportsmanship within our field.
Our diverse backgrounds encompass a wide range of sporting disciplines, both team-based and individual. Among us are Olympians, world champions, and accomplished athletes. However, the most enduring, and unjust arena we navigate is the one entailing the struggle against WADA.
Dealing with an AAF goes beyond proving a clean lifestyle; it also involves coping with stigmatization from the media, community, and fans. Often, societies are unaware that a clean athlete can unfairly receive an AAF which is not equal to systematic doping.
We invite you to stand with us in promoting integrity, transparency, and excellence in sports!
Disclaimer
We understand that some athletes may misuse medications and supplements in order to enhance their chances of winning. However, we want to emphasize that we do not condone this behavior. The Clean Athlete Project is designed to uphold the values of integrity and fairness in sports. It is not intended to serve as an excuse for engaging in systematic doping practices.
Our mission is to promote a culture of clean and equitable competition within the realm of sports.
We strongly recommend athletes stay informed about the WADA code, regulations, and the list of banned substances. Get more details at WADA online.
Get involved
Empower Clean Athletes Today!
Join a community dedicated to supporting banned athletes in their journey to redemption.
Reach out to learn more
Contact
Get in Touch Today!
For expert guidance and support, get in touch with Clean Athlete.
If you need links, contacts, or information, feel free to reach out.
Kindly provide your phone number along with the country code.
