Through its training and certification programs, the ITA Academy plays an essential role in protecting athletes and supporting their right to fair competition. By ensuring that doping control officers, blood collection officers, chaperones, educators, and other clean sport professionals are thoroughly trained and up to date with international standards and best practice, the ITA Academy helps build an environment where athletes can trust the processes that govern clean sport. Well-prepared anti-doping personnel are crucial to delivering testing, education and other clean sport activities that are reliable, respectful, and consistent across borders.
Over 3,300 professionals from 157 countries and 95 anti-doping and academic organisations have already completed ITA Academy training programs. As such, the ITA’s training programs are already embedded as essential training and development for the workforce of many anti-doping organisations. Through live and virtual formats, the ITA Academy supports National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs), Regional Anti-Doping Organisations (RADOs), International Federations (IFs), Major Event Organisers (MEOs) and individual professionals with a growing portfolio of training and certification programs.
“The ITA Academy is a service to the global anti-doping community, offering harmonious education and training designed to strengthen clean sport globally, as well as certification to build and uphold trust in the implementation of anti-doping programs,” said Benjamin Cohen, ITA Director General. “By recognising completion of our programs under the ITA Academy, we aim to provide even greater recognition to the achievements of our graduates and practical opportunities for them at the many sporting events under ITA’s supervision. Our training programs now cover training for all core professional roles when it comes to on-the-ground delivery of anti-doping programs, providing a trusted framework of training that can be adopted by all anti-doping organisations.”
The ITA Academy currently offers a range of training opportunities to individuals and organisations, including:
- The International Doping Control Officer (IDCO) Training Program
- The International Blood Collection Officer (IBCO) Training Program
- The Doping Control Officer (DCO) Foundation Training Program
- The Anti-Doping in Sport Foundation Course (ADSF)
- The International Clean Sport Educator Program (ICSE)
- The International Chaperone Training Program (ICT)
The ITA Academy also serves to facilitate and coordinate research projects undertaken in collaboration with the ITA in areas related to the implementation of anti-doping programs. As part of the launch, the ITA is pleased to confirm the renewal of its partnership with Berlinger Special, a leading manufacturer of doping control equipment. Berlinger becomes the Official Partner of the ITA Academy, supporting its broader mission to strengthen anti-doping training and professional development.