Medical Commission meeting held with focus on keeping Volleyball doping-free

A hybrid meeting of the European Medical Commission (EMC) chaired by Prof Dr Manfred Holzgraefe took place on Friday, with some of the members travelling to the home of European Volleyball in Luxembourg City and others joining from afar via video link.

The discussions revolved around the latest changes to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code and Regulations to make sure that doping controls performed in conjunction with the upcoming CEV competitions will continue to comply with the requirements set by the agency that leads the movement for doping-free sport.

Moreover, EMC Secretary Dr Zoran Nikolovski reviewed the outcome of a study run during the last edition of CEV EuroVolley held in 2021 to assess stress factors that international referees have to deal with when officiating at the highest level in the sport. Apart from sharing the main results of the study, Dr Nikolovski did also identify useful stress reduction techniques and tools that referees may use and implement ahead of their matches as well as while the action unfolds as well – so that they can reduce stress levels and cope with the inevitable pressure as good as possible.

The EMC continues to collect information to make sure that referees are physically ready to officiate and to perform their duties on the international stage to the best of their ability. Moreover, the members agreed on a comprehensive plan for the performance of doping controls and the provision of medical care / assistance at the major CEV events scheduled for the upcoming months.

The European Medical Commission members are especially grateful for the appointment of CEV Vice-President Margaret Ann Fleming as Board of Administration liaison with the Commission – as the exchange of information and experiences is mutually beneficial and it helps voice any proposals or items that the EMC would like to raise and discuss for the benefit of European Volleyball as a whole.