Education has become one of the fundamental pillars for protecting the integrity of modern sport. In archery, that mission goes far beyond anti-doping testing and focuses on educating those who work closely with athletes every day. With this objective, Goktug Ergin, Chair of the World Archery Coaches Committee, led a webinar organized by World Archery and the International Testing Agency (ITA), bringing together nearly 100 participants from around the world to strengthen knowledge about clean sport.
The session was designed specifically for coaches and Member Associations, but it also welcomed administrators, athletes, medical personnel, educators, and other members of the sporting community. Alongside Riley McGown, ITA Education Manager, Ergin shared practical guidance on how the anti-doping system works, the responsibilities of athlete support personnel, and the vital role coaches play in building a culture based on transparency, ethics, and fair play.
Anti-doping education as a shared responsibility
The webinar attracted significant international interest, bringing together 95 participants from every continent. More than half were coaches, highlighting the growing commitment of those who work directly with athletes to better understand the rules that govern clean sport. Türkiye recorded the highest participation, followed by Côte d’Ivoire, Yemen, Sweden, and Senegal, demonstrating the global reach of this initiative led by World Archery and the ITA.
Throughout the session, participants explored key aspects of the anti-doping program, including therapeutic use exemptions, medication control procedures, the risks associated with supplements, and the rights and responsibilities that both athletes and their support teams must understand. The webinar also featured a live question-and-answer session, allowing attendees to address specific concerns and connect the educational content with real-life situations faced by coaches and technical staff.
The role of coaches in building a clean sport culture
One of the webinar’s key messages was that anti-doping education does not end after completing a course or training session. Head coach of Bhutan, Park Youngsook, known in the archery community as Sally and an athlete at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, highlighted that one of her biggest takeaways was learning how to report potential anti-doping rule violations through the available reporting channels. For her, gaining knowledge is only the first step in a much broader responsibility.
The former Olympian emphasized that the real difference comes when coaches communicate this knowledge clearly and consistently to their athletes. Explaining the rules, answering questions, and helping athletes apply clean sport principles in their daily routines strengthens trust between athletes and coaches while contributing to safer and more responsible sporting environments. That vision remains one of the main pillars of the ongoing collaboration between World Archery and the International Testing Agency, which continues to promote anti-doping education throughout the global archery community.
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