Sport Ireland launches 2024 Annual Anti-Doping Report that shows record number of tests were carried out

• Sport Ireland collected 2,029 samples – an 11% increase on 2023 

Sport Ireland has today published its Annual Anti-Doping Report for 2024, during which a record number of tests were carried out.   

In 2024 Sport Ireland collected 2,029 samples – the highest number gathered since the programme began in 1999. This represents an 11% increase on samples collected in 2023. 

Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media, and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said: “Ensuring that athletes compete on a fair and level playing field is vital for sports. Under the direction of Sport Ireland, our innovative Anti-doping system is operating at a world class level. Reflecting Irish athletes’ belief in anti-doping, we want to continue to foster a culture of anti-doping across the sports system.”    

Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue said: “I must commend the exceptional work of the Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Unit, work that is instrumental in ensuring sport across the country is monitored effectively. Continued collaboration at a national, EU, and international level is vital in the ongoing commitment to the clean sport agenda.”  

Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: “The Anti-Doping Unit’s dedication to clean sport and an athlete-first approach ensures sportspeople can excel while prioritising their physical and mental health. This approach is crucial in safeguarding both performance integrity and athlete wellbeing.”  

Sport Ireland Chairperson John Foley said: “We would like to thank our athletes and support personnel for their commitment to keeping sport free from doping. Our work has also been greatly aided by all those athletes who have taken on the role of advocates and ambassadors for clean sport – we want to thank them as well.”  

The anti-doping program encompassed 35 sports, with a strategic balance of testing: 22% of samples were collected during competitions, while the majority (78%) were obtained out-of-competition.   

The samples are comprised of urine, blood serum, blood Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) and dried blood spot (DBS), reflecting the comprehensive nature of the testing carried out.  

There was one Anti-Doping Rule Violation in 2023 where an individual participated in competitions and activities while serving a ban for an anti-doping violation that took place in 2019. The individual was sanctioned with an additional period of ineligibility of four years.  

The Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Programme helps to ensure that sport is drug free. It does this through three key elements; testing, research, and education.     

Sport Ireland’s commitment to clean sport hinges on a proactive ‘education first’ approach, and vital resources are delivered through webinars, in-person workshops, and our comprehensive e-learning portal. In 2024, we delivered 42 education sessions that reached 1,469 stakeholders.  

In addition to this there were 22 sessions delivered by National Governing Bodies and 3,521 people completed either Sport Ireland or World Anti-Doping Agency online Anti-Doping Education and Learning courses. This approach further fosters an environment that allows athletes to focus on becoming the best they can be.