Aiming for a Clean Future

The Youth & Junior World Championships are not only about competing; they are about experiencing, testing, learning, and growing as a biathlete. For many, this is their first time at an international championship. Everything feels new – more people, more competitors, more journalists, the mixed zone, and many other things that differ from national competitions. And for some, doping tests are also a brand-new experience.

To help young athletes understand this important aspect of international sports, the Biathlon Integrity Unit hosted an anti-doping seminar on the second day of the competition at Mid Sweden University. The purpose was to inform and educate young athletes about doping and why maintaining a clean sport is essential. Around 40 dedicated athletes who had a rest day attended the seminar and were treated to an educational and engaging presentation.

Why Is Anti-Doping Education So Important Early in an Athlete's Career?

Because the consequences of not following the rules or misunderstanding how to act can be severe. The earlier athletes gain this knowledge, the easier it becomes to establish good routines and a solid understanding of how to behave and what to be aware of – not only during competitions and training but also outside of their sport. Otherwise, costly mistakes could occur later on due to simple ignorance.

But What Exactly Is Doping?

It’s not just about banned substances. Doping means unfair advantage. Linn Gustafsson, Anti-Doping Coordinator at the Biathlon Integrity Unit, explained the 11 Anti-Doping Rule Violations as defined by WADA – The World Anti-Doping Agency, which governs biathlon and all other Olympic sports. Every “what, if, and but” was covered in detail. And most importantly – what happens if you break the rules.

While many are aware of the formal sporting consequences, the equally painful informal effects – such as loss of reputation and public exposure on social media – can be just as discouraging and are often overlooked.

Now to the fun part.

After the athletes’ rights and responsibilities were clearly explained, it was time for Kahoot! – a fun and interactive quiz that showed just how much the young athletes had learned from the presentation.

The seminar continued with a role-playing session, where the doping control procedure was demonstrated step by step. The aim was to familiarize the athletes with the process, so they know what to do and feel prepared when the time comes. The test subject of the day, a cheerful boy from Austria, let out a sigh of relief when he realized that the sample he had to divide into A and B bottles was just apple juice.

What Is the Key Takeaway for the Athletes?

“Their own responsibility. And that they need to know the rules. That’s the most important thing they need to understand,” said Linn Gustafsson.