113 countries and a growing number of users have completed the “True Champion or Cheat?” programme

The UCI’s anti-doping education programme “True Champion or Cheat?” has proven extremely successful. As of April 2011, 5100 individuals had completed the training course. To date we already have 2000 more users than in 2010. Among programmes of this kind, “True Champion or Cheat?” has the largest number of users along with the programmes run by Anti-Doping Norway, with 3900 users, and by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB), which has 3300.

“True Champion or Cheat?”: an obligation for professional riders

The aim of this interactive and user-friendly instruction programme implemented by the UCI at the end of 2009 is to ensure that riders fully understand their rights and responsibilities in the context of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code. It comprises a series of eight 10-15 minute videos. Participants are required to interact with actors and answer questions to pass each module, which cover subjects including the anti-doping rules, doping control procedures, the list of banned substances and methods, nutritional supplements, violation of the rules, and the consequences of doping on health. At the end of the course, users are awarded a certificate.

The “True Champion or Cheat?” programme was set up on the basis of the UCI’s belief that the best way to eradicate doping from cycling is through a combination of strict testing and educating riders.

For this reason, the UCI has made it obligatory for all riders belonging to a Registered Testing Pool (RTP) to complete the course. This includes riders in UCI ProTeams, UCI Professional Continental Teams, along with the best men and women cyclists competing in the disciplines of road, track, mountain bike,
BMX and cyclo-cross.

Promising results at national level

For all other riders the UCI encourages National Federations to play an active role in promoting the “True Champion or Cheat?” programme. The results of this approach are promising, and represent a success for the entire cycling family. To date 113 countries have adopted the programme. Sweden has implemented the UCI programme for all licence-holders aged over 15. The UCI is delighted to see the programme being used on such a large scale. Moreover, although “True Champion or Cheat?” is aimed mainly at riders, support staff and followers are also using the modules to test their knowledge. As the diagram "Users of the UCI programme" shows, coaches, team managers, teachers, parents, doctors and National Federation support staff have all completed the course.

“True Champion or Cheat?” is currently available in seven languages (English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, Dutch and Swedish). This year, two new modules covering ethics in cycling and the harmful effect of “social” drugs have been added to the programme. Norway and Switzerland (Anti-Doping Norway and Anti-Doping Switzerland) have already implemented the complete programme. In addition, the National Federations of Wallonie Bruxelles, Canada, Ireland and Sweden have contacted the UCI with a view to rolling out “True Champion or Cheat?” at national level.
More information on the programme can be found in the “True Champion or Cheat?” section of the UCI website (www.uci.ch).

UCI Communication Services