The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) has officially launched a new webinar series aimed at educating athletes, coaches, and medical staff about sports science, health, and anti-doping. The series began with a seminar entitled “Strengthening Anti-Doping Awareness and Education in Para Sport” which was designed to provide important information and raise awareness about topics like inadvertent doping in para sports, the risks of certain substances, and how athletes can stay informed and comply with anti-doping rules.
With more than 200 attendees, the session featured a lineup of expert speakers, including Dr. Afsaneh, Dr. Ashim Bandari, and Dr. Badrul Amini, who shared insights on the importance of doping awareness, the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) process, and the role of the ADEL platform in educating athletes. The discussions emphasized the need for proactive education to help athletes make informed decisions and avoid unintentional violations.
Educating athletes with the ADEL platform
Dr. Ashim Bandari introduced the ADEL (Anti-Doping Education and Learning) platform, an online tool by WADA that’s free for athletes and coaches to use. He encouraged athletes to take advantage of the ADEL platform to learn about anti-doping rules and stay up to date on the latest developments. He also emphasized the responsibility of event organizers and sports federations to integrate education into their programs.
The evolution of anti-doping at the Asian Para Games
Dr. Badrul Amini then shared a look back at the APC’s efforts to fight doping in the Asian Para Games. He talked about how anti-doping measures have evolved since 2010 and the creation of the APC’s own anti-doping rules in 2014, which align with WADA standards, highlighting the success of these efforts in keeping competitions fair and clean.
What’s next: More webinars and ongoing education
The APC plans to continue the series with more webinars to cover other important topics in sports science and medicine. The next session is set for June 10, 2025, and participants can register through their National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).
