Enhancing the athlete biological passport with blockchain: A secure and transparent anti-doping approach

The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), serves as a cornerstone in the ongoing fight against doping in sports. By creating individual electronic records that track athletes’ biological markers and test results over time, the ABP enables the detection of abnormal variations that may suggest doping. Despite its effectiveness, the ABP faces significant challenges, particularly concerning data privacy, system interoperability, and the risk of unauthorized record manipulation. These issues underscore the need for more robust and transparent technological solutions. This article introduces a novel framework that integrates blockchain technology into the management of the ABP. Blockchain's decentralized and immutable ledger provides a secure and transparent platform for recording, sharing, and auditing anti-doping data among authorized stakeholders. Our proposal outlines a consortium-governed blockchain network, involving sports organizations and regulatory bodies, which ensures that data integrity is maintained while respecting athletes’ privacy rights and complying with international anti-doping regulations. We detail the technical architecture, governance model, and implementation roadmap for this blockchain-based system, emphasizing its capacity to prevent data tampering, streamline access control, and enhance the overall transparency of the anti-doping process. By leveraging blockchain's unique features, our approach aims to strengthen athlete integrity, increase trust in anti-doping measures, and support the evolution of fair and accountable sports governance. The integration of blockchain into the ABP represents a significant step forward in safeguarding the credibility of competitive sports and protecting athlete welfare.