The Circular prescribing anti-doping in sports will be applied from July 9th, 2024 in Vietnam

The Circular prescribing anti-doping in sports will be applied from July 9th, 2024 in Vietnam

On May 17th, 2024, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam promulgates the Circular 01/2024/TT-BVHTTDL prescribing anti-doping in sports, including:

- Education and communication;

- Doping testing;

- Results management;

- Responsibilities of relevant organizations and individuals for anti-doping.

Pursuant to Article 4 of the Circular 01/2024/TT-BVHTTDL stipulating anti-doping rules:

- Anti-doping activities shall be carried out regularly to protect the athletes’ right to train and compete in a doping-free sport environment.

- Ensure the compliance with WADA’s regulations, international standards and Vietnam’s domestic law regulations on anti-doping in sports.

- Promote close and effective cooperation between domestic and foreign organizations and individuals that participate or involve in sports to prevent and fight against doping.

- Ensure that athletes will be adequately provided with anti-doping education and communication programs.

- Respect the independence of and prevent interference in decision-making process and professional operations of Vietnam’s Anti-Doping Organization in conformity with provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code.

The Circular prescribing anti-doping in sports will be applied from July 9th, 2024 in Vietnam - image from internet

What is doping? What are anti-doping rule violations in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 5 of the Circular 01/2024/TT-BVHTTDL stipulating anti-doping rule violations in Vietnam:

Anti-Doping Rule Violations

1. Presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or makers in an athlete’s sample.

2. Use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or prohibited method.

3. Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorized person.

4. Violation of applicable requirements regarding athlete availability for out-of-competition testing.

5. Tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control.

 

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Doping in sports refers to the use of prohibited substances or methods to enhance an athlete's performance in an unethical manner. These substances and methods can be harmful to the athletes' health and undermine the true spirit of sportsmanship.

Anti-doping rule violations in Vietnam include:

- Presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or makers in an athlete’s sample.

- Use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or prohibited method.

- Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorized person.

- Violation of applicable requirements regarding athlete availability for out-of-competition testing.

- Tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control.

- Possession of a prohibited substance or prohibited method.

- Trafficking of any prohibited substance or prohibited method.

- Administration to an athlete in-competition or out-of-competition of any prohibited substance or prohibited method; assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, covering up or any other type of intentional complicity involving an anti-doping rule violation.

- Conspiring or covering up one or some of above violations.

- Association by an athlete in a professional or sport-related capacity with a person such as a coach, doctor, physio or trainer who is serving a sanction for an anti-doping rule violation.

- Acts to discriminate or retaliate against reporting on doping activities.

Which agencies have the authority to test doping in Vietnam?

Pursuant to Article 8 of the Circular 01/2024/TT-BVHTTDL stipulating authority to test:

Authority to test

1. Vietnam’s Anti-Doping Organization shall have testing authority over all athletes in accordance with provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code.

2. Where necessary, athlete management agencies and sports tournament organizing boards may request Vietnam’s Anti-Doping Organization to conduct testing of athletes in accordance with provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code.

3. If an international sports federation gives authorization or makes a request for doping testing, Vietnam’s Anti-Doping Organization shall cooperate with relevant sports federations in conducting testing in accordance with provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code, and the international standards for testing and investigations adopted by WADA.

As regulated above, the agency, which have the authority to test doping in Vietnam, Vietnam’s Anti-Doping Organization. This is the unit assigned by the Sports Authority of Vietnam to perform anti-doping tasks in sports in accordance with provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code and Vietnam’s laws.

In addition, following agencies also have the authority to test doping in Vietnam:

- Athlete management agencies

- Sports tournament organizing boards

- International sports federation

If an international sports federation gives authorization or makes a request for doping testing, Vietnam’s Anti-Doping Organization shall cooperate with relevant sports federations in conducting testing in accordance with provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code, and the international standards for testing and investigations adopted by WADA.

Note: the Circular 01/2024/TT-BVHTTDL takes effect from July 9th, 2024.

Best regards!