Coaches
Why the Coach's Role Is Decisive
Coaches spend the most time with athletes and have a major influence on what success, effort, and fairness mean to them. Attitudes toward clean sport are formed during everyday training, team communication, and conversations about results — long before any doping control ever takes place. A coach's own attitude toward medications, dietary supplements, and quick results is reflected directly in an athlete's decisions.
What a Coach Can Do
Create an environment where an athlete does not find it difficult to talk to you about an injury, fatigue, pressure, or a risky offer.
Praise an athlete not only for results, but for effort, preparation, learning, teamwork, and fair play.
Make clear to athletes that medals, making the national team, or results do not define their worth as people.
Do not create an environment where quick results or demands related to weight take priority over health and long-term development.
Talk to athletes about fair play, especially under the pressure of strong competition or team selection.
Model healthy behavior yourself. Pay attention to what you say about food, appearance, dietary supplements, and "quick results."
Do not encourage or establish team practices built around the use of medications or dietary supplements without checking that they are safe for health.
Medications: How to Avoid an Unintentional Violation
Some medications contain substances that are prohibited in sport at all times or under certain conditions. A coach should understand that being available without a prescription does not mean a medication is allowed in sport.
Remind athletes to check any medication before use to see whether it is allowed in sport, including over-the-counter and cold medicines, inhalers, injectable preparations, and medications purchased abroad.
If an athlete needs a medically necessary medication that contains a prohibited substance, contact the Georgian Anti-Doping Control and Education Agency and find out whether a therapeutic use exemption is required.
Never advise an athlete to stop a medically necessary treatment out of fear of violating anti-doping rules — health always comes first.
Dietary Supplements: Reducing the Risk
Athletes are frequently offered dietary supplements by teammates, in gyms, and on social networks. Many products are of no real benefit, or their benefits have not been properly proven, and taking a dietary supplement can harm health or lead to an unintentional violation of anti-doping rules.
Emphasize complete nutrition, adequate fluid intake, sleep, and recovery — not dietary supplements — as the first solution.
Do not advise or require athletes to take a specific dietary supplement without an assessment by a qualified specialist.
Warn athletes about products that promise rapid muscle growth, fat burning, hormonal effects, or a sharp boost in energy.
Direct athletes to a qualified sports nutritionist and a doctor — not only to the advice of influencers and sellers.
Remember the principle of strict liability: an athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance, its metabolites, or markers found in their sample, whether the violation was intentional or accidental.
When the Risk Increases
Pressure related to team selection — the athlete fears losing a place, a scholarship, or a contract, or missing out on a major tournament.
Injury or slow recovery — during a period of disappointment, an athlete can easily be tempted by the promise of "fast recovery."
Rapid changes in the body — during puberty, an athlete may be troubled by changes in their body or by demands related to weight.
Results stop improving — the athlete compares themselves to others and feels they need to achieve success faster.
A new team or age group — in a new environment, questionable behavior may come to seem normal and acceptable.
Social networks — in influencer advice, it is often hard to tell what is based on fact and what is advertising.
What a Coach Should Know About Testing
A coach should understand the testing procedure so they can support an athlete when needed, without interfering with the process.
When notified of testing, the athlete should check the identification confirming the authority of the doping control officer or the chaperone accompanying them.
From the moment of notification until the procedure is complete, the athlete remains under the continuous supervision of doping control personnel.
The athlete has the right to request the presence of a representative, including their coach, as long as this does not disrupt the procedure.
On the doping control form, the athlete must record any medications and dietary supplements taken recently — a coach can remind them of this in advance.
When testing a minor, the doping control officer should explain the procedure in advance to both the athlete and the accompanying person.
If an Athlete Confides Something Concerning
Listen calmly. Do not blame, do not shout, and do not threaten punishment.
Find out what product or substance was taken, who gave it to them, when, and under what circumstances.
Do not conceal what happened, and do not push the athlete toward hiding facts, destroying evidence, or lying.
Keep packaging, messages, receipts, and any other materials that could help clarify what happened.
Contact the Georgian Anti-Doping Control and Education Agency immediately for advice. If the athlete's health is at risk, contact a doctor immediately.
A Coach's Checklist for Reviewing Clean Sport Rules
I know where to find the World Anti-Doping Agency's current prohibited list and the agency's information on medications and the therapeutic use exemption.
My athletes know that any medication must be checked before use.
My team has no informal practice that requires or encourages the use of dietary supplements.
I know the specialists I can refer athletes to — a doctor, a physiotherapist, and a nutritionist.
I have discussed with my athletes how to handle pressure from teammates, social networks, or sellers.
My athletes know that asking a question in time is a sign of responsibility, not weakness.
Trusted Resources
The World Anti-Doping Agency's Anti-Doping Education and Learning platform: adel.wada-ama.org
The World Anti-Doping Agency's prohibited list: wada-ama.org/en/prohibited-list
The Georgian Anti-Doping Control and Education Agency's educational resources and information on supporting athletes: antidoping.ge
Contact Information
Georgian Anti-Doping Control and Education Agency
Email: info@antidoping.ge
Consultation on therapeutic use exemptions and medications: info@antidoping.ge
Legal address: 15A University Street, Tbilisi, Georgia