ITK alumni coordinator in Paris

Olympics: Doping control station manager Luana hopes for “simply fair” games

News from 23/07/2024

“The most important thing is empathy,” says Luana Cristina dos Santos Held from Brazil. And it’s clear from her facial expressions and gestures that she has a lot of this. The 37-year-old is not only the alumni coordinator for Leipzig University’s International Coaching Course (ITK), but also an expert in doping control and doping prevention. And this is why she has been appointed to be one of 56 doping control station managers for the Olympic Games, which will take place in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024 – a task full of responsibility that Luana is already familiar with. In 2012 in London and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, she was already part of the team of people who makes sure the Games are fair.

Luana is – as she says herself – a perfectionist. Coupled with the necessary sensitivity, this character trait serves her well in her role as doping control station manager. “Immediately after the competition, we discreetly inform the athletes who have been selected for testing. However, this should not happen in the moment when they are cheering, in front of the camera or upset because they have not achieved their goal. That’s why you have to keep a close eye on them,” says the former competitive swimmer.

Today, she manages an entire doping control station, trains her staff and ensures that the strict doping control rules are adhered to, the athletes selected are properly informed about the tests and the paperwork is completed. Luana makes sure that her team learns soft skills such as sensitivity and empathy as well as the hard facts. It is also true that the doping control personnel are obliged to handle all of their work confidentially. For example, no one is allowed to disclose confidential information about the athletes or take photos of them.

The athletes who have to undergo a doping test are sometimes selected at random; other times certain selection criteria apply, such as the type of sport or the ranking of the athletes. There are also tests at the finish line and an anonymous platform where possible anti-doping rule violations can be reported. “Olympic champions are not tested across the board, but they are tested frequently,” says Luana. She herself does not decide who is tested, but is responsible for making sure the process is carried out correctly. There shouldn’t be more than one hour between the time the athlete is notified and when they take the test. During this time, testing personnel must keep their eyes on the athletes at all times in order to prevent possible attempts at manipulation. Apart from a few exceptions, they are not allowed to shower between the competition and the test. However, they can give interviews and press conferences and also get necessary medical treatment, cool down and participate in award ceremonies. Athletes can be required to give a blood and/or urine sample. Fortunately, the number of positive tests is low: of the 6,200 samples collected at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, only nine were positive.

enlarge the image: Die olympischen Ringe hängen am Eiffelturm. — Luana Cristina dos Santos Held from Leipzig University is working at the Olympics in Paris and helping to ensure that the Games are clean and fair. Photo: dpa Picture Alliance

ITK alumni coordinator

Luana Cristina dos Santos Held began her career in this field as a volunteer at the doping control station for the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro. “I learned what it takes,” says the sport scientist, who after completing her studies in Sao Paulo did additional training in sports physiology and passed the necessary certifications to become an anti-doping expert.

Incidentally, Luana also had her first contact with Leipzig University in 2007 at the Pan American Games. Her boss at the time was an ITK alumnus. On his recommendation, three years later she successfully applied for an ITK course in her sport of swimming. Her time in Leipzig left a lasting impression on her. And the city has since become home to Luana and her family. At some point, she had come full circle. “I’ve been responsible for alumni work at the ITK since 2013,” she says.

Luana is organising an ITK alumni meet-up for one of her days off in Paris. And she would like it if this meet-up could take place in the German stadium. There is no longer a German house in Paris as there was at previous Olympic Games. Instead, athletes, coaches, accredited persons and visitors will meet at a stadium with a fan zone that has been made available especially for Team Germany.

“I’m hoping for a clean event and hopefully negative results for us,” says Luana with a twinkle in her eye. She wants to make her own personal contribution to ensuring that these games are “simply fair”.

Created by: Susann Sika