Partnership For Clean Competition

Research and innovation are at the center of improving anti-doping practices, but how can organizations continue to adapt to the ever-changing anti-doping landscape? In our recent podcast episode, we talked with the Head of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), Brett Clothier, about how the AIU is doing its part to protect clean sport. Brett shared how the AIU partners with its stakeholders to move the needle in anti-doping, as well as what measures are taken ahead of and during major events to ensure a fair field of competition.

Listen to the full episode here:
http://cleancompetition.org/anti-doping-podcast/176

176 – Protecting the Podium and Building Trust in Athletics Through Anti-Doping Efforts – Brett Clothier Brett Clothier is Head of Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), and in this episode, he shares more about his career in sport integrity and the work that he and the team at AIU are doing to help protect clean sport. We discuss some of the biggest challenges the sport of athletics (track and field) is

A recent study examined the urinary and plasma excretion profiles of the glucocorticoid deflazacort (DEF) and its metabolites after one oral administration. Oral administration is prohibited in-competition. Authors identified the metabolite 21-desacetyl-deflazacort (DES) as the best marker for detection in urine. Their results also support WADA's minimum reporting level of 30 ng/mL and the recommended 3-day washout period.

https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.70093

The 2026 World Cup is under way, with 32 teams advancing to the knockout stage. This is the first World Cup to be co-hosted by three countries with matches taking place in 16 stadiums across the continent. Collaboration is at the center of executing such a highly anticipated event. In case you missed it, be sure to check out our recent podcast episode with FIFA’s Senior Anti-Doping Manager, Carlos López Tiboni, where he talks about what anti-doping preparations looked like ahead of the competition.

Listen to the episode here: https://t.co/9NIbVwg39W

Dried blood spot (DBS) sampling is becoming more common in anti-doping, and researchers examined whether different DBS methods provide similar analytical results for the detection of two RNA-based biomarkers of erythropoiesis (ALAS2 and CA1). Their findings using routine anti-doping samples and an administration study in healthy volunteers support that results are comparable when using venous or capillary blood spotted on cellulose cards or collected with the Tasso-M20 device.

https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.70091

Co-authors Drs. Jacob Bejder, Olivier Salamin, Nikolai Nordsborg, and Nicolas Leuenberger have previously received PCC support for their research.

Comparison of Dried Blood Spot Sampling Methods for RNA‐Based Biomarker Measurement in Anti‐Doping This study demonstrates that RNA-based biomarkers of erythropoiesis, ALAS2 and CA1, can be reliably quantified across commonly used DBS sampling matrices, including venous and capillary blood spotted...

The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) was developed to monitor biological variables over time as an indirect method for doping detection. In our latest podcast episode, we talked with former PCC Fellow Sara Solheim, PhD, about her work investigating factors that can impact ABP markers and how we interpret them. We discussed her time as a PCC Fellow, as well as some of the projects she’s working on now at the Norwegian Doping Control Laboratory.

Listen to the full episode here:
http://cleancompetition.org/anti-doping-podcast/175

175 – Investigating Potential Confounding Factors for Doping Analysis and the Athlete Biological Passport – Sara Solheim, PhD Dr. Sara Amalie Solheim is a former PCC Fellow, and she is currently a Researcher and Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) Manager at the Norwegian Doping Control Laboratory and Nordic APMU. In this episode, Sara discusses her career path, her work a the Norwegian Doping control Lab, and her PCC-...

We are proud to congratulate PCC Fellow Dr. Sophia Krombholz on her promotion to Research Scientist at the Manfred Donike Institute for Doping Analysis. Dr. Krombholz began her fellowship in 2024 at the German Sport University in Cologne. Her project examined the effects of alternative routes of drug administration on metabolic profiles in doping controls. We wish her the best of luck in this exciting new chapter of her career and look forward to all that she will achieve!

The PCC’s Fellowship Program supports the next generation of anti-doping researchers. Fellowships are awarded to qualified scientists who demonstrate high potential for long-term contributions to anti-doping science. For more information visit our website: https://cleancompetition.org/programs/fellowship-program/