At the recent UIAA Ice Climbing World Youth Championships, young climbers had the opportunity to compete for global titles on one of the world’s most iconic competition towers. Across lead and speed disciplines and in U16, U18 and U20 categories, athletes from ten different countries claimed the 36 medals available.
Before the competition in Champagny-en-Vanoise, France, youngsters were given a full briefing of what to expect from the event. This included a presentation from the UIAA Anti-Doping Commission. The UIAA was one of the first international federations to include an educational component as part of the granting of its annual athlete licence. It is now mandatory for athletes to pass such a test before being cleared to compete.
Dr Marija Andjelkovic briefs youth ice climbers ahead of the 2024 UIAA Ice Climbing World Youth Championships. Photo: Nenad Dikic
The UIAA Anti-Doping Commission has worked impressively to ensure full and up to date compliance with the regulations of WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency. In Champagny, over 50 athletes attended the briefing given by Commission President Professor/Dr Marija Andjelkovic, supported by former Commission President Professor/Dr Nenad Dikic. The most important messages relayed related to the WADA Code, the latest list of prohibited substances, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), the Doping Control Process, the use of dietary supplements and drugs, with several questions posted regarding the use of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and TUEs.
As Professor Dikic explains:
“The session with the athletes was very useful for both ourselves and the athletes. A robust educational plan should always involve live lectures, an open Q&A forum and direct contact. Athletes can learn a lot from the question posed by their peers.”
Links to the presentations presented by the UIAA Anti-Doping team can be found here:
Presentation to youth athletes
General education presentation for 2024 season (Q&A)
Further Resources
UIAA Anti-Doping Commission
UIAA Anti-Doping Resources
UIAA Anti-Doping Education
UIAA Doping Control Process explained
UIAA Ice Climbing website
Main photo: Action from the 2024 UIAA Ice Climbing World Youth Championships, credit UIAA/Julia ROGER-VEYER