Interview

Warm greetings, Žanetka! It is truly an honour to have you with us for this exclusive interview as part of our publication, "Run and Smile." Your esteemed reputation in the antidoping community precedes you, recognized for your unwavering commitment to upholding the core values of fair play and integrity.

Without further ado, let us dive right into our conversation and explore the profound significance of sports in your life.

1. Žanetka and sports - how would you characterize yourself from this perspective? What does sport mean to you?

As the first thoughts that come to mind, words like fun and joy emerge. However, upon deeper reflection, we see the importance of rules, which are crucial for sports to function. Respecting the rules ensures integrity and fairness in sports. It teaches us patience, overcoming obstacles, perseverance, and mutual solidarity.

I have come to understand that hand in hand, there must be a system in sports to protect against the negative phenomena brought about by modern times. Balance is important so that sports do not lose their meaning and do not become merely a machine for producing records at the expense of health and values.

2. Could you take us closer to your professional sports journey? How and why did you personally enter this dynamic field?

It has been 25 years since I, as a graduate of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, decided to address the topic of "DOPING IN SPORT AND ANTI-DOPING MEASURES" and continue my doctoral studies in sports humanities. This is where my career as an anti-doping commissioner began. I do not even know exactly what led me to this topic in sports, but I am glad that I can be part of the anti-doping community. It is a challenging subject and encompasses many interdisciplinary areas.

Working as an anti-doping commissioner has taught me the importance of empathizing with the athlete and working to ensure the best conditions for them during doping control. I also worked at the National Sports Centre in the field of sports diagnostics, where I gradually learned that there are many differences in the sports disciplines themselves, which we currently use in setting up effective targeted testing of athletes.

Ten years ago, I became the director of the Anti-Doping Agency of the Slovak Republic, and gradually, I became more and more convinced of the need to ensure education for athletes and sports professionals. Due to the easier accessibility of prohibited substances in organized sports, we can say that anti-doping education penetrates into the realm of public health in society as a whole.

3. From a broader perspective, what is your opinion on the role of sports in society? Do you believe that sports can contribute to inclusion and diversity?

These days, I see sports as pivotal in influencing society, provided it maintains all the values upon which it was founded. It is crucial to capture and perhaps influence children's behaviour from a young age through playful means, emphasizing values such as equality, inclusion, and respect. By experiencing these values through sports activities, individuals can later be guided towards making the right decisions and thus help maintain the integrity of sports.

4. In your opinion, what is the essence of inclusion through sports?

In understanding what inclusion actually entails. Activities, such as those included in the "Sport values for every classroom" program, can explain the behaviours that children perceive, thereby strengthening the effectiveness of understanding inclusion as a result.

5. Which sports values are close to you? How has sports influenced you the most?

For me, rules and processes are very important as they show us the way to properly address tasks and provide us with boundaries. Equality and honesty are crucial, ensuring that what we do is done under the same conditions, without making exceptions to achieve our goals unfairly. Teamwork is another value that helps us in our organization to collaborate with other partners in spreading the ideals of clean sport. Overall, the brand of the Anti-Doping Agency represents values, and together we strive to protect them.

6. If you were to name three values that sports have taught you, what would they be? Why?

Fun, fair play, solidarity. In my opinion, relaxation and enjoyment, which sports bring, are crucial for mental health and motivation to progress both in sports and in life. Adhering to the rules set by sports and society maintains balance, fairness, and equal conditions for all participants. Solidarity and inclusion are important because there is a certain diversity where we are all different, but we all strive for the same goal, which is respecting basic rights and individual success.

7. What has sport given you besides just participating in sports?

A lot of friends, good examples for solving various life situations. And above all, patience in achieving small and big successes in both personal and professional life.

8. We have chosen you for our publication as the face of the VALUES domain, given your esteemed authority in the field of anti-doping, where fair play is the driving force behind all initiatives. How do you perceive the values ​​of sports and your role as the director of the Anti-Doping Agency of the Slovak Republic?

It is a demanding role that does not bring financial or material security to the sports movement, making it challenging to explain the need and significance of anti-doping in sports. The importance and purpose of anti-doping rules need to be embodied in examples and in prominent sports figures. For me, as the director, teamwork at the agency and the message for the next young generation of athletes, who will be symbols of clean sport, are crucial.

9. How can sports contribute to promoting international understanding and cooperation?

International sports federations and organizations serve as examples of collaboration in organizing significant international events, where we see athletes, coaches, and officials from different countries. We observe various political orientations, religious and ethical values, as well as gender and ethnic diversity. What is common is that every sport aims to present itself as a unified community, seeking to provide entertainment and joy in achieving sporting success. I perceive sports as a means through which we can positively highlight emotions and demonstrate international understanding and cooperation.

10. Žanetka and sports competitions – which sports races or competitions do you consider as your highlight?

As a child, I regularly participated in athletic sports competitions. Corresponding to my age, I experienced individual sporting successes that certainly had a significant impact on my life. Over time, there were fewer of these competitions, but I still occasionally participated in various corporate and friendly sports activities. That feeling of joy and fun is still present.

11. What achievements do you value the most? Do you currently have any sports challenges?

I value several achievements in my life. My family, who supports me, is a private success that I cherish. As for professional success, holding the position of director of the Anti-Doping Agency is significant, where I could utilize my education and experience. As for sports challenges, they are modest but existent. It mainly involves regular physical activity appropriate for my age and capabilities. For example, I engage in activities like yoga, Pilates, walking, and other seasonal sports such as skiing and hiking.

12. To conclude our interview, we would like to ask for your opinion on the current sports program of the European Union. What else should the European Union do to encourage more young people to embrace sports as a lifestyle?

In my opinion, the sports program and the topics addressed by the European Union are sufficient. It is up to each country to implement and utilize the EU's potential. Different cultures prioritize different aspects, as we can see in the strategies for sports development in individual countries. Let us start from within to emphasize the need for embracing sports as a lifestyle in our country, and let us use the EU for education and sharing best practices in this field.