The ICSS have unveiled the new scheme in partnership with USADA ©ICSS

A global system designed to assist athletes learning about prohibited substances is to be extended through a partnership between the International Centre for Sport Security (ICSS) and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

In what is being hailed as a "major step forward to enhance the information available to athletes and others about prohibited substances included in medications", the Doha-based ICSS will "extend the reach and accessibility" of the Global Drug Reference Online (DRO) system.

This platform provides updates lists of banned substances based on the evolving World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List. 

It was developed by national anti-doping organisations from Great Britain, Canada and Switzerland, as well as the US.

It is hoped that, through the new partnership, more nations and languages will be added to the system in order to benefit greater numbers.

"Driven by our mission to safeguard sport and support athletes around the world, the ICSS is excited to team with USADA to help protect the integrity of sport and the development of the Trusted Athlete App aims to support USADA and members of the Global DRO to expand and inform more athletes and the sports world of the prohibited substances included within any medication," ICSS group chief executive Michael Hershman said. 

The Trusted Athlete App will be made available to more athletes after the International Centre for Sport Security and the United States Anti-Doping Agency extended their partnership ©ICSS
The Trusted Athlete App will be made available to more athletes after the International Centre for Sport Security and the United States Anti-Doping Agency extended their partnership ©ICSS

Hershman added: "As an organisation whose integrity remit is focused on anti-corruption but one which proactively uses technology and innovation to address the broader security, governance and integrity issues in sport, the ICSS is delighted to share our expertise with USADA. 

"Together, we will strengthen the ethics and integrity of sport and provide the Trusted Athlete app as a platform for the Global DRO to enable greater outreach to more athletes around the world."

The Trusted Athlete App also enables users to scan, record, be alerted, and share information about ingredients within medications and their legal status in sport with the data being verified and validated by anti-doping organisations.

"Providing trusted information directly to athletes around the world has never been more important in the global education of anti-doping efforts," added USADA chairman and two-time Olympic gold medallist Edwin Moses.

"The Trusted Athlete project benefits athletes in providing direct access to the knowledge offered through the Global Drug Reference Online, specifically to alert them of the prohibited status of medications around the world."