For the ninth time, the National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany), in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Sports Science (BISp), invited representatives of national sports federations, state sports federations and associations, regional associations, large clubs and other institutions to the TOGETHER AGAINST DOPING network event. Around 90 participants gathered at the German Sports and Olympic Museum in Cologne on February 21 and 22, 2025 for the two-day event.
Prof Dr Felix Kühnle, project manager at the Technical University of Darmstadt, presented the topic “Whistleblowing about doping in sport: sociological findings”. The sociological findings were developed as part of a research project between the Arctic University of Norway, the Technical University of Darmstadt and the University of Education Schwäbisch Gmünd and NADA Germany as a cooperation partner. The BISp is funding the project.
The participants then discussed the potential and challenges for the target groups present on the basis of the presentation. Finally, NADA Germany's Education Department provided information on innovations and current developments in doping education.
The second day began with three keynote speeches from the specialist departments of Medicine, Legal Matters and Testing Programme, in which NADA Germany presented the current status of anti-doping work.
Former cross-country skier Max Hauke gave a presentation on the topic of “Systematic misconceptions”. The lecture focussed on the intensive and multifactorial reflection of his doping case and the circumstances that led to the abuse of performance-enhancing substances in his case. The aim was to derive important insights from this for future generations of young athletes. In a subsequent question and answer session, the participants had the opportunity to discuss the topic in greater depth.
In addition, practical examples from the participants offered valuable insights into the concrete implementation of doping education measures within the framework of the TOGETHER AGAINST DOPING network. Between the presentations and discussion rounds, there was plenty of room for networking and exchange among the participants.
NADA Germany's TOGETHER AGAINST DOPING network stands for active participation in shaping doping education in Germany. “Doping education is a joint task. Only through intensive exchange and close cooperation between all participating organizations from the German sports structures can we find sustainable solutions to educate and train athletes and thus protect them from doping in the best possible way. The TOGETHER AGAINST DOPING network event makes an important contribution to this every year and I am extremely grateful that so many of our committed network partners from all over Germany accepted our invitation to Cologne,” says Michael Behr, Head of Education.
The TOGETHER AGAINST DOPING network involves numerous players from the sports structures kat federal and state level, imparts specialist knowledge, bundles activities and creates opportunities for exchange. Through targeted and coordinated education work by NADA Germany together with the network partners, athletes are supported and accompanied throughout their entire managerial sporting career.
Further information on the TOGETHER AGAINST DOPING network can be found at gemeinsam-gegen-doping.de/netzwerk/ansatz-struktur.