Sport Ireland Statement on Doping Control Measures – COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Sport Ireland recognises the significant effect the spread of the COVID-19 is having on sport and the wider society both here in Ireland and across the world.        

In these unprecedented and uncertain times, the primary goal of Sport Ireland is the protection of the health and wellbeing of our athletes and anti-doping personnel.

In line with Government measures to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Sport Ireland has reviewed its testing programme operations.

Sport Ireland will continue priority testing in line with risk assessments and based on any intelligence received.

Athletes on the Registered Testing Pool will still be required to update their whereabouts information as normal.

With the cancellation of sports fixtures and events across the country, in-competition testing will not be taking place.

The safety of both Sample Collection Personnel and athletes is of paramount importance. Therefore, all Government and HSE advice in relation to social distancing and taking necessary risk minimisation precautions are being strictly adhered to.

Sport Ireland believes this is the correct and proportionate action to take in these circumstances and this approach will be kept under constant review in the context of advice issued by both the Government and the HSE.

For more information on the Sport Ireland’s Anti-Doping Programme see: https://www.sportireland.ie/anti-doping