August 22, 2018 – During the International Racquetball Federation (IRF) World Championships that recently concluded, athletes participated in anti-doping training. The training, led by IRF Secretary General Luke St. Onge, covered a variety of topics associated with the rules and regulations that the IRF must follow to remain compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Topics included the Whereabouts Program, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), and general education to train and educate athletes on anti-doping. Attendance at the event exceeded 90% of the athletes registered to compete in the World Championships, and content was provided in both English and Spanish.
 
“We were really delighted to see how many athletes attended the event and recognized the importance of anti-doping in our sport,” said St. Onge. “Anti-doping is a crucial component of international racquetball. Compliance is necessary in order to remain an International Olympic Committee recognized sport, and we want to ensure that competition is equal and fair. Education helps to eliminate some of the potential mistakes athletes might make in their nutrition and decision-making with respect to choosing supplements, for example.”
 
Following an extensive evaluation of anti-doping policies and procedures, the IRF was recently approved by WADA as compliant. The IRF regularly tests its athletes at international events in addition to out-of-competition testing.

About the IRF

The International Racquetball Federation is the international governing body of the sport of racquetball under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee. Founded in 1979, the IRF provides governance, rules, and leadership to its 83 national federation members. A member of GAISF beginning in 1980 and recognized by the IOC in 1985, the IRF offers three events annually and one, the IRF World Championships, biennially. It is the international umbrella organization for racquetball over the Olympic Chain of events such as the Pan American Games, World Games, Central American Games, Central American and Caribbean Games, and IRF Regional competitions.
 
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