The NNOC is committed to the protection of the integrity of sport and clean sport.

Doping can be harmful to an athlete's health, damages the integrity of sport, and is morally and ethically wrong.

Since we don't have a National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) in Namibia, the NNOC is the interim NADO as per IOC directive. The interim NADO is registered as NAM-NOC which is the organization tasked with the responsibility of implementing the national anti-doping programme in the country, following the standards stipulated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). NAM-NOC's mission is to make sure that all National Federations comply with the NNOC Anti-Doping Rules which came into force on 1st January 2021.

Principles and values associated with clean sport

The NNOC is charged with the following responsibilities:

Anti–Doping Information sharing to athletes, athlete's support personnel and the public: 

It involves sensitization and awareness campaigns in the form of outreach programs during sports competitions as well as conducting deliberate workshops to share anti-doping information with key target groups and Anti-Doping Values-Based Education to install values as embedded by the  ‘spirit of sport’ in school children and deals with prevention more than deterrence in doping. 

Athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance, or its metabolites or markers found to be present in their urine and/or blood sample collected during doping control, regardless of whether the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or method. Therefore, it is important to remember that it is each and every athletes ultimate responsibility to know what enters their body.

What is doping?

Doping is not just a positive test showing the presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete's urine sample. Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the 11 Anti-Doping Rule Violations.  

What does 'Strict Liability' mean?

The principle of strict liability applies to all athletes who compete in any sport with an anti-doping program. It means athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance, or its metabolites or markers found to be present in their urine and/or blood sample collected during doping control, regardless of whether the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or method. Therefore it is important to remember that it is each and every athlete's ultimate responsibility to know what enters their body. 

The rule which provides that principle, under Code Article 2.1 and Article 2.2, states that it is not necessary that intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use of the athletes part be demonstrated by the Anti-Doping Organisation to establish an anti-doping rule violation. 

Why is doping dangerous?

Doping can result in severe health consequences but also comes with sport, social, financial and legal consequences. For an athlete, doping could spell the end of their sporting career, reputation, and prospects both in and out of sport.  

Sport Consequences: 

The sanctions for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) can include: Provisional Suspension, Ineligibility, Disqualification of results, Public Disclosure, Fines.

Health Consequences

Physical health, Psychological health

Social Consequences:

Damage to reputation and image, which can be permanent with media attention, and future clean performances can be met with skepticism. Damage to future career prospects, Isolation from peer and sport, damaged relationships with friends and family, effects on emotional and psychological well-being, loss of standing, fame, respect and credibility. 

Financial Consequences:

Fines that may have been included in the NNOC Anti-Doping rules including costs associated with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV), loss of income and financial support, such as government funding or withdrawal of sponsors, or by not participating in competitions, requirements to reimburse sponsor or prize money, impact of damaged reputation on future career prospects. 

Legal Consequences:

In addition to the sport, health, social and financial consequences listed above, doping can come with other legal consequences. 

Have a look at Namibia's Anti-Doping Annual Statistics here: