Sport Ireland unveils WhatsApp service to allow athletes share concerns about doping
Today Sport Ireland announces it has adopted RealResponse, an anonymous direct messaging service to allow athletes, sport participants, and members of the public share concerns over WhatsApp about doping in sport.
The new service, which was unveiled at the launch of Sport Ireland’s Anti-Doping Annual Report 2025, empowers individuals to raise concerns safely and anonymously, reinforcing Sport Ireland’s commitment to integrity, respect, and fairness across all levels of sport.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan said: “Clean sport is the foundation of fair competition. Sport Ireland’s Anti-Doping programme protects the integrity of Irish sport through a world-class testing, education, and enforcement system. All of us remain steadfastly committed to building a culture where clean sport is the norm, not the exception.”
In 2025 Sport Ireland Anti-Doping delivered more education sessions than ever before. There were 60 education sessions carried out, that supported 1,697 athletes and athlete support personnel. This is in addition to the 27 education sessions delivered to 2,276 athletes by Sport Ireland recognised National Governing Bodies (NGBs) under Sport Ireland tutelage.
Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue said: “The integrity of sport depends on staying ahead of those who seek to undermine it. Sport Ireland's Anti-Doping Unit is doing just that - working at national, European, and international level to ensure Irish sport is prepared for all challenges. I am confident that the foundations we are building now will protect the future of clean sport.”
In 2025 Sport Ireland Anti-Doping also implemented a new database to manage the testing programme. The same year it also purchased a new mobile testing unit, which is equipped to support efficient and secure sample collection at sporting events and training sites where no suitable collection facilities are available.
Dr Úna May, CEO of Sport Ireland, said: “A key part of our mission at Sport Ireland is to ensure that sport in Ireland is conducted with integrity and respect. By introducing RealResponse’s real-time WhatsApp channel, we are empowering athletes and sports leaders alike to speak up, to act, and to uphold a culture of safe and ethical sport.”
Through WhatsApp, athletes and others will now be able to communicate directly and confidentially with Sport Ireland’s anti-doping teams, enabling timely intervention and support while preserving their anonymity.”
Siobhán Leonard, Sport Ireland Director of Anti-Doping, said: “In the Anti-Doping Unit we are dedicated to clean sport and our athlete-first approach ensures sportspeople can excel while prioritising their physical and mental health. This approach is crucial in safeguarding both performance integrity and athlete wellbeing.”
The Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Programme helps to ensure that sport is drug free. It does this through three key elements; testing, research, and education.
Sport Ireland’s commitment to clean sport hinges on a proactive ‘education first’ approach, and vital resources are delivered through webinars, in-person workshops, and our comprehensive e-learning portal. This approach further fosters an environment that allows athletes to focus on becoming the best they can be.
The Sport Ireland Anti-Doping reporting system is integral to a wider globally regulated system. It operates in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code as a designated National Anti-Doping Organisation, ensuring that Irish sport adheres to the highest international standards.
RealResponse
How the RealResponse reporting system works
- Users submit reports or feedback through their preferred method (text, WhatsApp, email) from their own device. The platform may be accessed via QR code without downloading an application.
- The platform anonymises the user's phone number or email, protecting their identity.
- Administrators can send follow-up questions and gather more details in a secure, confidential space, turning a one-way report into a dialogue.
- The system centralises reports, allowing Sport Ireland administrators to track issues, manage documentation, and provide resources or support.
David Chadwick, Founder and CEO of RealResponse, said: “We’re honoured to partner with Sport Ireland in this important step. By offering an anonymous, real-time channel through WhatsApp, Sport Ireland is making it easier than ever for athletes and officials to share vital information. It’s a powerful example of how sport organisations can build trust and uphold integrity through accessible, modern communication tools.”