Kuwait City, Kuwait, June 22, 2023: The Olympic Council of Asia has called on all National Olympic Committees in the region to nurture and build up their Athlete Support Personnel (ASP) so as to encourage fair and clean sports across Asia.
In a statement issued on Thursday, June 22, the OCA urged all 45 National Olympic Committees in Asia to educate and promote ASP bodies who would play a vital role in safeguarding the integrity of sport by ensuring athletes are aware of and adhere to anti-doping regulations.
“Athlete Support Personnel – coaches, managers, physiotherapists and other support staff – play a key role in developing athletes adopt a clean sport approach,” the OCA noted.
It laid down five core principles as to how the ASP could help athletes:
· Recognise vulnerable moments that athletes face
· Offer appropriate options as solutions
· Assist athletes in sound decision-making
· Use your influence to advocate the right values and foster clean sport behaviour
· Be knowledgeable of, and comply with, all anti-doping rules
“By promoting awareness and providing guidance, ASP contributes to upholding the values of integrity, fairness and respect in sports,” the statement said.
Educating athletes is recognised as an important part of the process, and the OCA has also advised NOCs to encourage their ASP to follow a series of guidelines.
They are: have information sessions and workshops including online; personalised guidance; education materials and E-learning platforms; regular and proper communication with athletes; collaboration with other stakeholders; engage in one-on-one discussions; foster a culture of clean sport; and stay updated with anti-doping developments.