PROJECT MISSION

PROJECT PHASES AND DELIVERABLES

INNOVATIVE ASPECTS

GIVE VOICE TO STIGMATIZED GROUP OF ATHLETES

SUPPORT THE ACCESSIBILITY OF GOOD PRACTICE EXAMPLES

WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY TO FIND EDUCATION SOLUTIONS

GENERATE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF PRACTICES, POLICIES AND SYSTEMS IN EDUCATION

EXPECTED PROJECT OUTCOMES

1) Give a voice to sanctioned athletes;
2) Explore the emotions and feelings of clean athletes with respect to reintegrating sanctioned athletes;
3) Develop an informed education programme for sanctioned athletes;
4) Develop education resources to enhance current clean sport education with a focus on critical thinking, openness, and tolerance;
5) Co-create a policy recommendation together with the clean sport community that relates to Good Governance in the realm of reintegrating sanctioned athletes;
6) As such, forge a mutually beneficial collaboration between stakeholder groups and European (associated) partners, from the start which will ensure that the outcomes are both practically relevant and useful, as well as culturally and ecologically valid. Additionally, the dissemination of the training material is secured by involving the responsible practitioners from the start;
7) Bring together prominent anti-doping researchers in Europe but further include athletes as research assistants, junior researcher and research students, as well as practitioners from the frontline of anti-doping and policy makers;
8) Envisage to serve as a launchpad for establishing a network of trained athlete co-researchers and the training material to train interested athletes. These athletes will enhance the capability of anti-doping and sport organisations to carry out research and build research evidence in support for their daily work outside of the TALE project;
9) Use films as research outputs to supplement traditional dissemination strategies via peer reviewed publications and conference presentations.

OUR APPROACH

Our Approach: Open, Non-Judgemental, and Trauma-Informed

At the heart of the TALE project is a commitment to listening to and learning from athletes’ lived experiences with anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs). We recognize that being sanctioned - whether due to intentional doping or unintentional rule violations under the principle of strict liability - can be a deeply distressing and life-altering experience. For many, even speaking about it can be emotionally challenging.
We approach this work with openness, empathy, and without judgment. Our goal is not to evaluate or interrogate, but to listen and understand. We believe that every athlete’s story matters and that these stories can help shape more compassionate, fair, and effective anti-doping policies and educational resources.
To ensure that our research is conducted ethically and sensitively, we follow the principles of trauma-informed research. This means we are mindful of the potential for re-traumatisation and take active steps to create a safe, respectful, and empowering environment for all participants.

Our approach is guided by five core principles:

• Choice: We respect each participant’s autonomy. Wherever possible, individuals are given choices, such as selecting the language, choosing the location or format of the meeting, and deciding how much they wish to share.
• Collaboration: We view participants as partners in the research process. At the outset, we ask what they need to feel comfortable and supported, and we adapt our approach accordingly. Their input helps shape the direction and tone of each encounter.
• Trust: We are transparent about what will happen, when, and why. Participants are informed about the purpose of the research, how their data will be used, and their rights throughout the process. We aim to build trust through clarity, consistency, and respect.
• Empowerment: We support participants in making informed, active decisions about their involvement. They are free to pause, skip questions, or withdraw at any time. We also encourage them, as well as our athlete co-researchers conducting interviews, to reflect on their experiences in ways that feel meaningful and constructive to them.
• Safety: We prioritize physical, emotional, and psychological safety. Meetings are held at the time and format of the participants’ choosing. Throughout the interviews, we are attentive to signs of distress and ready to pause or adjust the conversation if needed.

By embedding these principles into every stage of our work, we aim to create a space where athletes feel heard, valued, and supported. We believe that only by listening with care and without judgment can we begin to understand the full impact of doping sanctions, and work together toward a more just and humane anti-doping system.