Protecting clean sport: UK Anti-Doping’s role during the European Athletics Championships

​​​​UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has successfully delivered its role as the Sample Collection Agency for the European Athletics Championships, which came to a close yesterday in Birmingham following seven days of outstanding competition. 

Working on behalf of European Athletics and the Event Organiser, UKAD delivered an intelligence led and risk-based testing programme for the Championships, which included both in- and out-of-competition urine and blood tests - helping to give athletes and the public confidence in clean sport. 

The sporting event, hosted at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, welcomed more than 1,500 elite athletes from over 50 nations, showcasing athletics talent from across the continent. Fans gathered in the stadium each day to witness thrilling performances and memorable moments that will live long in the minds of everyone who attended. 

Throughout the Championships, 23 UKAD appointed Doping Control Personnel supported the operational delivery of the testing programme, helping to carry out sample collection and ensuring it ran smoothly from start to finish. 

Hamish Coffey, UKAD Director of Operations, said: "It has been a privilege to play a part in the European Athletics Championships, which took place on home soil. We take our role at a major event like this very seriously, as having a strong testing programme in place gives athletes and fans confidence in the performances they've witnessed over the past week.  

“I want to thank all the UKAD staff and Doping Control Personnel for their professionalism and hard work throughout what has been not just a busy event, but a busy sporting summer for us.” 

European Athletics President, Dobromir Karamarinov, said: “Protecting the integrity of our sport is non-negotiable. European Athletics designed a rigorous, intelligence-led testing programme for the Championships, with expert input from the Athletics Integrity Unit, and we are grateful to UK Anti-Doping for their professional delivery of sample collection in Birmingham.   

"Combined with our mandatory ‘I Run Clean’ education programme - which every athlete must complete to be eligible to compete - this approach has given athletes and spectators confidence that the outstanding performances we witnessed were achieved on a level playing field. Clean sport remains at the heart of everything European Athletics stands for.”