On March 12, an online event titled "Protection of Athletes' Rights in Anti-Doping Cases" was held, organized by the Ukrainian Bar Association's (UBA) Sports Law Committee. The event brought together lawyers, representatives of sports federations, anti-doping specialists, and sports officials to discuss relevant legal aspects of anti-doping regulation.

Protecting athletes' rights in doping cases involves not only procedural compliance but also ensuring a fair review process, access to legal assistance, and expert opinions. These issues became the key topics of the discussion.

The event’s moderator, Yevheniy Promskyi, Head of the UBA Sports Law Committee, noted:
“Anti-doping cases have a significant impact on athletes' careers, and their consideration requires a high level of legal culture and adherence to proper procedures. It is important for lawyers and officials involved in these processes to understand the key mechanisms and challenges.”

Main topics discussed included:

• Athletes’ rights in doping procedures – guarantees of protection at all stages of the review
• The doping control procedure and its legal aspects
• Protection in the event of accusations – mechanisms for legal and medical support
• Practical aspects of reviewing anti-doping cases at the NADC
• The role of the ombudsman in ensuring the protection of athletes' rights

Anna Ryzhikova, Honored Master of Sports and Anti-Doping Ombudsman, emphasized:
"An athlete has the right to a fair hearing of their case, and the task of the ombudsman and lawyers is to ensure this process follows international standards."

Kateryna Koval, Head of the NADC Results Processing Department, highlighted that effective cooperation between lawyers, sports officials, and anti-doping specialists helps form a system that guarantees athletes' rights, while Hanna Hnizdovska, Deputy Head of the NADC Appeals Anti-Doping Commission, focused on the specifics of judicial practice in anti-doping cases.

The event became an important platform for sharing experiences and discussing approaches to the legal support of anti-doping procedures. The knowledge gained will contribute to enhancing the level of legal support in this field and ensuring a fair review of doping cases.

Protecting athletes' rights is a crucial step toward clean sports!