'Clean athlete status' cannot be certified: Calling for caution, evidence and transparency in 'alternative'...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Anti-Doping Research
• Regulatory Science

Background:

• The global anti-doping system, despite two decades of effort, remains imperfect.
• Frustrations with the current system have led to the emergence of alternative anti-doping protocols.
• These alternative systems operate outside the established global regulatory framework, raising concerns about accountability, legitimacy, and athlete fairness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To scrutinize the Clean Protocol™, the most comprehensive alternative anti-doping system.
• To analyze the alleged logical and scientific merits and shortcomings of the Clean Protocol™.
• To alert the anti-doping community to potential pitfalls of unvalidated assessment tools and new approaches.

Main Methods:

• Detailed analysis of the Clean Protocol™'s claims and operating principles.
• Critical evaluation of the scientific and logical basis of the protocol's assessment tools.
• Examination of the potential risks and harms associated with the protocol's implementation.

Main Results:

• The Clean Protocol™ utilizes assessment tools beyond their validated scope.
• New anti-doping approaches are implemented without prior validation.
• Protocols that disadvantage athletes or risk their well-being lack legitimacy.

Conclusions:

• The use of anti-doping data and research out of context is criticized.
• Widespread implementation of such protocols risks unintended harms to athletes and the integrity of clean sport.
• Alternative systems must be rigorously validated and ensure fairness and legitimacy for all stakeholders.