TALE

Anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) can be committed intentionally, but also out of negligence without any intention to break anti-doping rules. Both groups of sanctioned athletes are specified as a mandatory target group for education provision by the WADA International Standard for Education (ISE, 2021), yet, to date, little is known about sanctioned athletes. Thus, this project will use life-story interviews to explore sanctioned athletes’ experiences, feelings, perceptions and handling of their ADRV as well as their needs. In focus group settings we will also explore clean athletes’ concerns about reintegration of sanctioned athletes. We will use community-based participatory research to formulate policy recommendations. The results will inform future education programs for emerging young athletes as well as for sanctioned athletes, develop guidance for supporting sanctioned athletes if they return to sport or pursue career elsewhere.