RICHARD Driscoll, a leading British doping control officer (DCO) from Farnham, has been made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to anti-doping in sport.

Working as a DCO for the past 25 years, Richard is passionate when it comes to clean sport and has become a true motivator among his peers.

Although his full-time occupation is as a commercial pilot flying for a British airline, Richard also works as a doping control advisor to UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), leading on the recruitment, training and ongoing development of a workforce of 181 DCOs and chaperones.

Internationally recognised for his work at major sporting events, including the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, Richard played a crucial role in the anti-doping programme for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games as head doping control station manager.

Richard commented: “It is amazing, I am overwhelmed to be given this, it was out of the blue and completely unexpected. The whole thing is mind blowing and incredibly touching that UKAD have taken the time to nominate me.

“I am totally over the moon. I was training to be a physiotherapist and I was about to qualify when the ‘Student Games’ (now known as the World Student Games) came to Sheffield in 1991, they needed anti-doping officers and I got asked to be one – I have been involved ever since.

“I thoroughly enjoy working in the field and have had the privilege of working at some great events and with some fantastic people who are all committed to clean sport.

“For me it’s all about fair play, all athletes should compete fairly, it really gets under my skin – it’s all about equality. The job is very busy and you don’t always get time to sit down and watch the athletes perform.

“I don’t think the problem is getting worse, but it is getting more exposure then it used to. The UK are world leaders in anti-doping and I think we have improved a lot over the years.”

Richard supervised and helped train 60 doping control station managers, 240 DCOs and more than 600 chaperones.

He has also worked for European Athletics for many years, acting as doping control delegate at European outdoor and indoor championships, as well as being a member of their Medical and Anti-Doping Commission since 2011.

To date, he has contributed to the anti-doping programmes in more than 30 countries, including supporting the development of new national anti-doping organisations in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the Maldives, Brunei, Indonesia and Kazakhstan.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: “We are absolutely delighted that Richard has received such a special honour and that his dedication and commitment to clean sport has been recognised at the highest level.

“Richard is highly valued by UKAD and is an exemplary ambassador for anti-doping, fair play and professionalism. His exceptional understanding of the doping control process, coupled with his humility and a quiet charm, puts colleagues and athletes at ease and he is able to diffuse tension should it arise.

“Richard often works with staff who are either paid a nominal amount or work as volunteers, he shows a particular skill and charisma in regularly motivating people and instilling a desire to raise standards.

“Indeed, Richard himself volunteers a vast amount of extra time because he is so dedicated and determined to provide a professional service for athletes and to evolve doping control procedures.”