Rights and Responsibilities

Fencers, Fencer Support Personnel and other groups who are subject to anti-doping rules all have rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code. Part Three of the Code outlines all the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the anti-doping system.

It is especially important that Fencers and Fencer Support Personnel know and understand Code Art. 21 (Additional Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes (in this sport referred to as Fencers) and Other Persons), particularly Art. 21.1 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes (Fencers)), Art. 21.2 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athlete (Fencer) Support Personnel) and Art. 21.3 (Roles and Responsibilities of Other Persons Subject to the Code).

Fencers’ Rights

This section presents a summary of the key Fencer rights. It is important that both Fencers and Fencer Support Personnel know and understand these.

Ensuring that Fencers are aware of their rights and these are respected is vital to the success of clean sport. Fencer rights exist throughout the Code and International Standards and they include:

• Equality of opportunity
• Equitable and Fair Testing programs
• Medical treatment and protection of health rights
• Right to justice
• Right to accountability
• Whistleblower rights
• Right to education
• Right to data protection
• Rights to compensation
• Protected Persons Rights
• Rights during a Sample Collection Session
• Right to B sample analysis
• Other rights and freedoms not affected
• Application and standing

The Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act is a key document that consolidates these athlete rights in anti-doping. It is based on the 2021 WADA Code and International Standards, and it aims to ensure that athlete rights within anti-doping are clearly set out, accessible and universally applicable.

Fencer’s Responsibilities

It is equally important that Fencers are aware of their anti-doping responsibilities. Fencer Support Personnel should also familiarise themselves with these in order to be able to support their Fencers. These include:

• Knowing and following the International Fencing Federations Anti-Doping Rules and any other applicable Anti-Doping Rules
• Taking full responsibility for what you ingest – make sure that no prohibited substance enters your body and that no prohibited methods are used
• Informing medical personnel of your obligations as a Fencer
• Cooperating with the International Fencing Federation and other Anti-Doping Organisations (WADA, ITA, NADOs)
• Being available for sample collection
• Not working with coaches, trainers, physicians or other Fencer or other sport Athlete Support Personnel who are ineligible on account of an ADRV, or who have been criminally convicted or disciplined in relation to doping (see WADA’s Prohibited Association List)

Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.1.

Rights and Responsibilities of Fencer Support Personnel and other groups

Like Fencers, Fencer Support Personnel and other members of the International Fencing Federation also have rights and responsibilities as per the Code. These include:

• Being knowledgeable of anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you or the Fencer(s) you support
• Using your influence on Fencer values and behaviours to foster anti-doping attitudes
• Complying with all anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you or the Fencer(s) you support
• Cooperating with the Fencer testing program
• Disclosing to the International Fencing Federation and their NADO whether you have committed any Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) within the previous ten years
• Cooperating with anti-doping organisations investigating ADRVs

Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.2 and 21.3.