Stakeholders’ perspectives on the effectiveness of the Chinese anti-doping education policy

Abstract

The significance of anti-doping education in competitive sports is paramount, necessitating athletes and coaches to possess an in-depth understanding of doping prevention strategies. However, information on the Chinese context is limited, prompting a comprehensive examination of the nation’s anti-doping education system. This study explored the experiences of 45 stakeholders involved in Chinese anti-doping education via in-depth interviews and provides a critical analysis of the system’s target audience, delivery methods, timing, and content. The study developed an anti-doping education policy implementation model, assessing its efficacy within the Chinese context. The model posits that while China has made significant strides in addressing key factors of anti-doping education, improvements are still required. Notably, broadening the selection of target groups, enhancing awareness-raising efforts, and establishing comprehensive plans for anti-doping education throughout an athlete’s lifecycle are crucial. Additionally, clear timelines for these initiatives and an optimised anti-doping policy evaluation process, involving increased collaboration with academic institutions and scholar participation in research, are recommended. These findings underline the importance of a continuous and context-specific refinement of China’s anti-doping education strategies, aligning with the evolving needs of stakeholders and the broader demands of the sporting ecosystem.