The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) recently published the “Provisional Guidelines on the Protection of Minor Athletes' Rights in Doping Control” (hereinafter referred to as “the Guidelines”). The Guidelines, echoing the calls from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and international anti-doping community, establishes a framework to safeguard the rights of minor athletes throughout Testing, Intelligence and Investigation (I&I), Results Management, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE), and privacy protection. This is a guideline specifically for minor athletes in the field of anti-doping, which is a significant move that further implements China's “athlete-centered” approach, reflecting the innovation and practice in anti-doping.

Education as the first

The Guidelines emphasizes education before testing. Before conducting any testing for minor athletes, the Doping Control Officer (DCO) shall first inquire whether the minor athlete has received education and provide a detailed explanation of the rights and responsibilities, as well as the testing procedures for those who has not received education before. 

Sample Collection Personnel should possess good qualities

Sample Collection Personnel (SCP) should be well-trained. The SCP are required to have good communication skills and patience, have rich experience in testing, and respond promptly to questions raised by the minor athletes. 

Safe use of medication is important

Safe use for minor athletes of medication is taken into account. CHINADA has developed and disseminated guidance on the safe use of medications commonly used by minor athletes, risk warnings, and informative visual materials. The Guidelines also increases its focus on TUE, providing special education on safe medication use for minor athletes and their parents.

I&I and Privacy of minor athletes matters

The Guidelines also focuses I&I and privacy protection. It gives priority to process intelligence information (including whistleblowing information) and investigations involving ADRVs by minor athletes. Besides, where the processing of a minor athlete’s personal information is required in the course of doping control, the consent of the minor athlete shall be obtained, and where necessary, the consent of the minor athlete’s guardian shall also be obtained. 

The Guidelines has been actively implemented at the 1st Youth Athletics Games of the People's Republic of China.