London: An Anti-Doping Athletes’ Rights Act has been approved by the Executive Board of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation as recommended by IMMAF’s Athletes’ and Anti-Doping Commissions.
The purpose of the act is to ensure that athlete rights within Anti-Doping are clearly set out, accessible and universally applicable.
While IMMAF’s Anti-Doping Policy has been created for the protection of the athletes’ fundamental right to participate in doping-free sport for reasons of health and fair-play, it is also imperative that athletes’ rights are clearly stated, that athletes are aware of those rights and can exercise them.
The Act, which adheres to the World Anti-doping Code is made up of two parts: Part one sets out the rights outlined in the IMMAF Anti- Doping Policy, while part two sets out recommended athletes’ rights in practice. Medical Treatment and Protection of Health Rights, Right to Justice, Right to Education, Right to Data Protection and Whistle-blower Rights are among the rights included in the act.
“The athletes, their safety and rights are among our main priorities at IMMAF and the new IMMAF Athletes’ Act is a testament to that,” IMMAF Athletes’ Commission Chairman and veteran world gold medalist, Irman Smajic, said.
“IMMAF Athletes are fully engaged with clean and fair MMA. I am delighted to see that they have reviewed the Athlete Act, adding to the document important responsibilities for IMMAF coaches and officials to incorporate into practice, helping us promote the health and safety of the sport. With the introduction of the 2021 WADA Code, IMMAF has revised its policies and procedures to comply fully with its obligations. We have always prioritised education and health, and we consider the new Code as the opportunity to re-double our efforts to engage with national federations to support the delivery of CLEAN and FAIR MMA. Our athletes know how important this is to ensure the sport continues to attract a diverse population. Having adaptations to our Anti-Doping policies for young people, for women and for minority groups, we want MMA to be accessible to all and for clarity of its anti-doping message, in the spirit of true sport,”
IMMAF’s Anti-doping Consultant and Anti-Doping Commission Chairwoman, Michele Verroken, said.
