Parents and Guardians

Why the Parent's Role Is Decisive

Parents and guardians have a major influence on what success, effort, health, and fairness mean to a young athlete. Attitudes toward clean sport are formed long before any doping control ever takes place. The way a family talks about nutrition, medications, and dietary supplements at home can either lower or raise the likelihood of risky decisions.

What a Parent Can Do

  • Earn your child's trust so that talking to you before a risky decision does not feel difficult. Take a genuine interest in their opinion, ask calm questions, and help them rely on their own values.

  • Talk about values first, and only then about rules. Praise your child not only for results, but for effort, preparation, learning, teamwork, courage, and respect for others.

  • Help your child see that their life is not only about sport. Their worth as a person is not defined by medals, making the national team, or their body shape.

  • Explain that asking for help is natural. During an injury, burnout, or fear of not making the team, risky shortcuts to fast success can become more tempting, including at times when results simply stop improving.

  • Talk about fair play, especially when your child feels pressure from strong competition. Ask them how they could still act fairly in such moments.

  • Model healthy behavior yourself. Pay attention to what you say about food, appearance, dietary supplements, and "quick results."

Questions to start a conversation:

  • What result would you consider a success this season?

  • If someone offered you something to help you recover faster, what would you want to find out before taking it?

  • Who would you ask whether it's safe for an athlete to take this medicine?

  • What would help you say no if your teammates offered you a dangerous substance?

Medications: How to Avoid an Unintentional Violation

Some medications contain substances that are prohibited in sport at all times or under certain conditions. Young athletes need to understand that being available without a prescription does not mean a medication is allowed in sport.

  • Let your child's doctor, dentist, and pharmacist know that your child is an athlete and that anti-doping rules apply to them.

  • Check every medication before use, including over-the-counter and cold medicines, inhalers, injectable preparations, and medications purchased abroad.

  • If a medication that is medically necessary contains a prohibited substance, contact the Georgian Anti-Doping Control and Education Agency and find out whether a therapeutic use exemption is required, and which organization to approach for it.

  • Never stop a medically necessary treatment out of fear of violating anti-doping rules — health always comes first.

Dietary Supplements: Reducing the Risk

Young athletes are frequently offered dietary supplements on social networks, in gyms, and among teammates, and these products are often promoted by influencers as well. 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.

  • Focus first on complete nutrition, adequate fluid intake, sleep, training, and recovery.

  • Find out exactly why a dietary supplement is needed and what problem it is meant to solve.

  • Avoid products that promise rapid muscle growth, fat burning, hormonal effects, or a sharp boost in energy.

  • Seek advice from a qualified sports nutritionist and a doctor — do not rely only on 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. To establish a violation, it does not need to be proven that the athlete acted intentionally or negligently.

  • If a dietary supplement is truly necessary, assess the possible risks before use and keep information about the product's batch.

What a Parent Should Watch For

If your child tells you "everyone on the team uses this," ask what the product is and why they are taking it — the fact that others use something does not mean the product is safe.

When the risk increases:

  • Pressure related to team selection — the athlete fears losing a place on the national team, 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 training environment — in a new club, gym, with a new coach, or in an older age group, 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 Young Athlete Should Know Before Testing

A young athlete should become familiar with anti-doping rules before their first test. They should know why testing takes place and that they may need to provide a urine and/or blood sample, as well as know their own rights and responsibilities. At any stage of the process, they are allowed to ask questions.

The athlete should:

  • When notified of testing, check the identification confirming the authority of the doping control officer or the chaperone accompanying them.

  • Follow instructions and remain under the continuous supervision of doping control personnel from the moment of notification until the procedure is complete.

  • Record on the doping control form any medications and dietary supplements taken recently.

  • Read the form carefully before signing it and note any comments if needed.

  • Request the presence of a representative if they wish. The doping control officer should explain in advance how testing of a minor is conducted.

If Your Child 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. Do not push your child 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 your child's health is at risk, contact a doctor immediately.

A Parent'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 child knows that any medication must be checked before use.

  • We know that a young athlete does not always need to take dietary supplements daily.

  • I personally know the specialists who work with my child — the coach, doctor, physiotherapist, and nutritionist.

  • I have discussed with my child how to handle pressure from teammates, coaches, social networks, or sellers.

  • My child knows that asking a question in time is a sign of responsibility, not weakness.

Trusted Resources

Contact Information

Georgian Anti-Doping Control and Education Agency

Email: info@antidoping.ge

Consultation on therapeutic use exemptions and medications: info@antidoping.ge

Official website: www.antidoping.ge

Legal address: 15A University Street, Tbilisi, Georgia