UK Anti-Doping strengthens commitment to clean sport ahead of Milano Cortina 2026

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), the UK’s National Anti-Doping Organisation, has intensified its efforts to protect the integrity of British sport as winter athletes prepare for Milano Cortina 2026 with a comprehensive programme of event specific education, and testing. 

Working in partnership with organisations including the British Olympic Association (BOA) and British Paralympic Association (BPA), UKAD has launched a refreshed Clean Games Policy covering the next Olympic cycle until after LA 2028. This ensures all organisations are aligned on education processes before each Major Games, reinforcing a united approach to protecting clean sport. 

Over 260 long-listed athletes hoping to compete for Team GB and ParalympicsGB are participating in clean sport education ahead of the Winter Games, including scenario-based education workshops on the risks of supplements, checking medications, updating whereabouts and reporting doping, as well as detailed guidance on the anti-doping rules for Milano Cortina 2026. More than 140 athlete support personnel are also being educated to ensure they can offer the best support to their athletes on clean sport matters.  

UKAD will also send 15 experienced Doping Control Personnel to the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games next year, supporting the international effort to test athletes during games-time. In the lead-up to the Games, UKAD is focussing its testing programme on winter sport athletes to ensure robust anti-doping measures are in place before the International Testing Agency (ITA) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) take responsibility for the games-time testing programmes. 

Jane Rumble, Chief Executive of UKAD, said:

"British sport is built on values – such as passion and integrity. These aren't just words, they're the foundation of why we compete and what makes sport meaningful to communities across the country. Our athletes are role models who inspire young people, and their commitment to competing clean demonstrates that true excellence comes from dedication, fair play and respect for fellow competitors. 

"As we approach Milano Cortina 2026, we're proud to support our winter sport athletes with world-leading education and anti-doping testing. Clean sport is about protecting what makes sport special and ensuring athletes can compete with confidence, knowing they're part of a system that values integrity above all else." 

The clean sport culture within UK sport is strengthened by the National Governing Bodies of Sports’ (NGBs) responsibilities set out in the National Anti-Doping Policy (NADP) and UKAD's Assurance Framework (the primary mechanism through which NGBs demonstrate to UKAD their compliance with the NADP), demonstrating sector-wide commitment to anti-doping standards.  

To support the Major Games education here in the UK, UKAD will launch a new campaign in December promoting the importance of values, highlighting why athletes choose to compete clean and encouraging athletes to role model and speak up for fair play.  

Notes 

The Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 will take place from 6-22 February 2026 (Olympic Games) and 6 – 15 March 2026 (Paralympic Games). 

View the refreshed Clean Games Policy 2025-2029.