ABOUT ANTI-DOPING

About anti-doping – clean sport

Introduction

Doping can be harmful to an athlete’s health, damages the integrity of sport, and is morally and ethically wrong. All athletes participating in the WKO competitions must abide by the WKO Anti-Doping Rules

What is doping?

Doping is not just a positive test showing the presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete’s urine sample. Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the 11 Anti-Doping Rule Violations

(ADRVs) outlined in the World Anti-Doping Code and WKO Anti-Doping Rules.

These are:

Presence of a prohibited substance, its metabolites or markers in an athlete’s sample
Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method by an athlete
Refusing, evading or failing to submit to sample collection by an athlete
Failure to file whereabouts information and/or missed tests by an athlete
Tampering or attempted tampering with the doping control process by an athlete or other person
Possession of a prohibited substance or method by an athlete or athlete support personnel
Trafficking or attempted trafficking of a prohibited substance or method by an athlete or other person
Administering or attempting to administer a prohibited substance or method to an athlete
Complicity or attempted complicity in an ADRV by an athlete or other person
Prohibited Association by an athlete or other person with a sanctioned athlete support personnel
Acts to discourage or retaliate against reporting to authorities

*The WKO currently does not require our athletes to submit their whereabouts. Until further notice, athletes do not need to enter their whereabouts information in ADAMS

Why is doping in sport prohibited?

The use of doping substances or doping methods to enhance performance is fundamentally wrong and is detrimental to the overall spirit of sport. Drug misuse can be harmful to an athlete’s health and to other athletes competing in the sport. It severely damages the integrity, image, and value of sport, whether or not the motivation to use drugs is to improve performance. To achieve integrity and fairness in sport, a commitment to clean sport is critical.

What does ‘Strict Liability’ mean?

The principle of strict liability applies to all athletes who compete in any sport with an anti-doping program. It means that athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance, or its metabolites or markers found to be present in their urine and/or blood sample collected during doping control, regardless of whether the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or method. Therefore, it is important to remember that it is each and every athlete’s ultimate responsibility to know what enters their body.
The rule which provides that principle, under Code Article 2.1 and Article 2.2, states that it is not necessary that intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the athlete’s part be demonstrated by the Anti-Doping Organization to establish an anti-doping rule violation.

Why is doping dangerous?

Doping can result in severe health consequences but also comes with sport, social, financial and legal consequences. For an athlete, doping could spell the end of their sporting career, reputation, and prospects both in and out of sport.

Sport Consequences

The sanctions for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) can include:

Provisional Suspension. The athlete or other person is temporarily banned from participating in any competition or activity while waiting for the results management process to be complete or until the final decision is rendered.
Ineligibility. The athlete or other person is not allowed to compete or participate in any other activity, such as training, coaching, or even access to funding due to an ADRV. This period of ineligibility can be for up to 4 years or even life depending on the circumstances of the ADRV.
Disqualification of results. The athlete’s results during a particular period, competition or event are invalidated, which comes with forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes.
Public Disclosure. The Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) informs the general public of the ADRV.
Fines.

Health Consequences

The health consequences to an athlete can include:

Physical health. Medications and medical interventions have been developed to treat a particular condition or illness. Not an otherwise healthy athlete. Depending on the substance, the dosage and the consumption frequency, doping products may have particularly negative side effects on health.
Psychological health. Some doping substances may have an impact on the athlete’s mental health. Anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders or psychosis are direct consequences from doping.

Social Consequences

Some of social consequences of doping include:

Damage to reputation and image, which can be permanent with media attention, and future clean performances can be met with skepticism.
Damage to future career prospects.
Isolation from peers and sport.
Damaged relationships with friends and family.
Effects on emotional and psychological well-being.
Loss of standing, fame, respect and credibility.

Financial Consequences

The financial consequences of doping can include:

Fines that an Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) may have included in their anti-doping rules including costs associated with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
Loss of income/financial support, such as government funding, other forms of financial support and by not participating in the competitions.
Loss of financial support due to withdrawal of sponsor.
Requirement to reimburse sponsor, if included in the contract.
Reimbursement of prize money.
Impact of damaged reputation on future career prospects.

Legal Consequences

In addition to the sport, health, social and financial consequences listed above, doping can come with other legal consequences, such as:

Some countries have gone beyond the World Anti-Doping Code and made using a prohibited substance a criminal offence (e.g. Austria, Italy, France).
In some countries, ADRVs related to trafficking, possession or administering a prohibited substance or some substances on the Prohibited List are considered a criminal offence.

What do athletes and athlete support personnel need to know about anti-doping?

Athletes, their support personnel and others who are subject to anti-doping rules all have rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). Part Three of the Code outlines all of the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the anti-doping system.

Athletes’ Rights

“Every athlete has the right to clean sport!”

Ensuring that athletes are aware of their rights and that these rights are respected is vital to the success of clean sport. WADA’s Athlete Committee (now Athlete Council) drafted the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act (Act). This Act is made up of two parts. Part one sets out rights that are found in the Code and International Standards. Part two sets out recommended athlete rights that are not found in the Code or International Standards but are rights that athletes recommend that Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) adopt for best practice.

Athlete rights outlined in the Code include:

Equal opportunities in their pursuit of sport, free of participation by other athletes who dope
Equitable and fair testing programs
A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) application process
To be heard, to have a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a fair, impartial and operationally independent hearing panel, with a timely reasoned decision specifically including an explanation of the reasons of the decision
Right to appeal the hearing decision
Any ADO that has jurisdiction over them will be accountable for its action and an athlete shall have the ability to report any compliance issue
Ability to report Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) through an anonymous mechanism and not be subjected to threats or intimidation
Receiving anti-doping education
Fair handling of their personal information by ADOs in accordance with the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information (ISPPPI) and any local applicable law
To pursue damages from another athlete whose actions have damaged that athlete by the commission of an ADRV
During the sample collection process, right to:
- See the identification of the Doping Control Officer (DCO)
- Request additional information about the sample collection process, about the authority under which it will be carried out and on the type of sample collection
- Hydrate
- Be accompanied by a representative and, if available, an interpreter
- Request a delay in reporting to the doping control station for valid reasons (International Standard for Testing and Investigations Art. 5.4.4)
- Request modifications for athletes with impairments (if applicable)
- Be informed of their rights and responsibilities
- Receive a copy of the records of the process
- Have further protections for “protected persons” because of their age or lack of legal capacity
- Request and attend the B sample analysis (in the case of an Adverse Analytical Finding)

Athletes’ Responsibilities

Athletes’ rights to clean sport come with corresponding responsibilities, and athletes may be tested in- and out-of-competition, anytime, anywhere and with no advance notice.

Their clean sport responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

Complying with the WKO Anti-Doping Rules (in line with the World Anti-Doping Code)
Being available for sample collection (urine, blood or dried blood spot (DBS)), whether in- competition or out-of-competition
Remaining within direct observation of the Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone at all times from notification until the completion of the sample collection process
Providing identification upon request during the sample collection process
Ensuring that no prohibited substance enters their body and that no prohibited method is used on them
Ensuring that any treatment is not prohibited according to the Prohibited List in force and checking this with the prescribing physicians, or directly with the WKO if necessary
Applying to the relevant ADO if no alternative permitted treatment is possible and a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is required (see the WKO’s TUE application process)
Reporting immediately for sample collection after being notified of being selected for doping control
Ensuring the accuracy of the information entered on the Doping Control Form (DCF)
Cooperating with ADOs investigating ADRVs
Not working with coaches, trainers, physicians or other athlete support personnel who are ineligible on account of an ADRV or who have been criminally convicted or professionally disciplined in relation to doping (see WADA’s Prohibited Association List

Athlete Support Personnel Rights

Athlete support personnel and other persons also have rights and responsibilities under the Code. These include:

Right to a fair hearing, before an independent hearing panel
Right to appeal the hearing decision
Rights regarding data protection, according to the ISPPPI and any local applicable law

Athlete Support Personnel Responsibilities

Athlete support personnel’s responsibilities under the Code include:

Using their influence on athlete values and behaviors to foster clean sport behaviors
Knowing and complying with all applicable anti-doping policies and rules, including the WKO Anti-Doping Rules (in line with the Code)
Cooperating with the athlete doping control program
Cooperating with ADOs investigating Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs)
Informing the relevant IF and/or NADO if they have committed an ADRV in the last 10 years
Refraining from possessing a prohibited substance (or a prohibited method)*, administering any such substance or method to an athlete, trafficking, covering up an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) or other forms of complicity and associating with a person convicted of doping (prohibited association). These are ADRVs applicable to athlete support personnel under Article 2 of the World Anti-Doping Code and Page 3 of the WKO Anti-Doping Rules.

* Unless the athlete support personnel can establish that the possession is consistent with a TUE granted to an athlete or other acceptable justification. Acceptable justification would include, for example, a team doctor carrying prohibited substances for dealing with acute and emergency situations.

WKO Recommendation to Athlete Support Personnel

Here are some ways athlete support personnel can support their athletes in their education on clean sport:

Share the Athlete’s Anti-Doping Rights Act with your athletes
Register and take a course suitable to you on the WADA’s ADEL platform
Follow the WKO pages on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where the main updates about anti-doping will be published
Contact the WKO Office for any questions you may have

What are the organizations involved in protecting clean sport?

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

WADA was established in 1999 as an international independent agency to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport. WADA’s governance and funding are based on equal partnership between the Sport Movement and Governments of the world. WADA’s primary role is to develop, harmonize and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries. WADA’s key activities include:

Scientific and social science research
Education
Intelligence & investigations
Development of anti-doping capacity and capability
Monitoring of compliance with the World Anti-Doping Program.

For more information about WADA, consult:

WADA’s website – www.wada-ama.org
Play True – “Beyond Winning” video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-I8h6W53o8c

International Federation (IF) 

Ifs are responsible for implementing an effective and Code-compliant anti- doping program for their sport. Under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), IFs are required to carry out the following anti-doping activities:

Providing education programs
Analyzing the risk of doping in their sport
Conducting in-competition and out-of-competition testing
Management of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) for international-level athletes
Results Management including sanctioning those who commit Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs)

If you have any anti-doping queries, please contact the WKO Office.

National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs)

NADOs are organizations designated by each country as possessing the primary authority and responsibility to:

Adopt and implement anti-doping rules at a national level
Plan and carry out anti-doping education
Plan tests and adjudicate anti-doping rule violations at a national level
Test athletes from other countries competing within that nation’s borders if required to

Find out who to contact in your country: list of NADOs

Regional Anti-Doping Organizations (RADOs)

In a number of regions of the world, countries have pooled their resources together to create a RADO responsible for conducting anti-doping activities in the region in support of NADOs. RADOs bring together geographically-clustered groups of countries where there are limited or no anti- doping activities, for which they take over responsibility, including:

Providing anti-doping education for athletes, coaches and support personnel
Testing athletes
Training of local sample collection personnel (doping control officers/chaperones)
An administrative framework to operate within.

THE PROHIBITED LIST

The Prohibited List (List) identifies substances and methods prohibited in-competition, at all times (i.e. in- and out-of-competition) and in particular sports. Substances and methods are classified by categories (e.g. steroids, stimulants, masking agents). The List is updated at least annually following an extensive consultation process facilitated by WADA.

It is each athlete’s responsibility to ensure that no prohibited substance enters his/her body and that no prohibited method is used.

The List only contains the generic names of the pharmaceutical substances. The List does not contain brand names of the medications, which vary from country to country. Before taking any medication, an athlete should check with the prescribing physician that it does not contain a prohibited substance:

Check that the generic name or International Non-proprietary Name (INN) of any active ingredient is not prohibited (‘in-competition only’ or at ‘all times’).
Check that the medication does not contain any pharmaceutical substances that would fall within a general category that is prohibited. Many sections of the Prohibited List only contain a few examples and state that other substances with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s) are also prohibited.
Be aware that intravenous infusions and/or injections of more than 50mL per 6-hour period are prohibited, regardless of the status of the substances.
Be aware that since 1 January 2022, all injectable routes of administration will now be prohibited for glucocorticoids during the in-competition period.
Note: Oral administration of glucocorticoids remains prohibited in-competition. Other routes of administration are not prohibited when used within the manufacturer’s licensed doses and therapeutic indications.
Be aware that as of 1 January 2024, the narcotic tramadol will be prohibited in-competition.
If you have any doubt, contact the WKO Office.

An athlete will only be allowed to use a prohibited substance for medical reasons if the athlete has a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) for the substance that the WKO has granted or recognized.

Useful Online Databases

The following National Anti-Doping Organizations make online country-specific drug reference databases available for checking the status of a medication bought in that country.

GlobalDRO (for Australia, Canada, UK, USA, Switzerland, Japan and New Zealand)
A list of other country-specific databased can be found here.

Note: WADA and the WKO do not take responsibility for the information provided on these websites.

RISK OF SUPPLIMENT USE

Extreme caution is recommended regarding supplement use. A number of positive tests have been attributed to the misuse of supplements, poor labeling or contamination of dietary supplements.

The use of supplements by athletes is a concern because in many countries the manufacturing and labeling of supplements may not follow strict rules, which may lead to a supplement containing an undeclared substance that is prohibited under anti-doping regulations. Pleading that a poorly labeled dietary supplement was taken is not an adequate defense in a doping hearing.

Risks of supplements include:

Manufacturing standards, which are often less strict when compared with medications. These lower standards often lead to supplement contamination with an undeclared prohibited substance, for example when manufacturing equipment isn’t cleaned to the required standards and contains remnants of ingredients from a previous product.
Fake or low-quality products which may contain prohibited substances and be harmful to health.
Mislabeling of supplements with ingredients wrongly listed and prohibited substances not identified on the product label.
False claims that a particular supplement is endorsed by Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) or that it is “safe for athletes”. Remember, ADOs do not certify supplements and the product label may contain misleading messaging.

Athletes should do a risk-benefit assessment if they are considering the use of supplements. The first step of such an assessment is to consider whether a “food-first” approach meets the athlete’s needs. Whenever possible, such assessment should be done with a support of a certified nutritionist or other qualified professional who is familiar with the global and WKO Anti-Doping Rules.

Checking your supplements

If, after careful consideration, an athlete chooses to use supplements, they must take the necessary steps to minimize the risks associated with supplements. This includes:

Thorough research on the type and dose of the supplement, preferably with the advice of a certified nutritionist or other qualified professional who is familiar with Anti-Doping Rules.
Only selecting supplements that have been “batch-tested” by an independent company.
Remembering what supplement they take, keep some of it in case they get a positive result, and keep any proof of purchase and declare it on the Doping Control Form (DCF).

Remember, no supplement is 100% risk-free but athletes and athlete support personnel can take certain steps to minimize these risks.

Neither WADA nor the WKO is involved in any supplement certification process and therefore do not certify or endorse manufacturers or their products. WADA and the WKO do not control the quality or the claims of the supplements industry.

TESTING

The aim of testing is to protect clean athletes through the detection and deterrence of doping.

Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of the WKO may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in- or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine, blood sample or blood for a Dried Blood Spot (DBS) analysis.

Sample Collection Process

Athlete Selection: An athlete can be selected for testing at any time and any place.
Notification: A Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone will notify the athlete of their selection and outline their rights and responsibilities.
Reporting to the Doping Control Station: The athlete should report to the doping control station immediately after being notified. The DCO may allow a delay in reporting for a valid reason.
Sample Collection Equipment: The athlete is given a choice of individually sealed sample collection vessels and kits to choose from.
They must inspect the equipment and verify the sample code numbers.
Collecting the sample:

For a urine sample:

Providing the sample: The athlete will be asked to provide the sample under the direct observation of a DCO or witnessing chaperone of the same gender.
Volume: A minimum 90mL is required for urine samples. If the first sample is not 90mL, the athlete may be asked to wait and provide an additional sample.
Splitting the sample: The athlete will split their sample into A and B bottles.
Sealing the samples: The athlete will seal the A and B bottles in accordance with the DCO’s instructions.
Measuring specific gravity: The DCO will measure the specific gravity of the sample to ensure it is not too dilute to analyze. If it is too dilute, the athlete may be asked to provide additional samples.

For a blood sample:

The athlete will be asked to remain seated and relaxed for at least 10 minutes before undergoing venipuncture (only for the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) blood samples).
The Blood Collection Officer (BCO) will ask for the athlete’s non-dominant arm, apply a tourniquet to the upper arm, and clean the skin at the puncture site.
The BCO will draw blood from the athlete and fill each Vacutainer blood tube with the required volume of blood.
The BCO will place the Vacutainer tubes into the A and B kits (only one vial may be necessary if the blood sample is collected as part of an ABP program).

Completing the Doping Control Form (DCF): The athlete will check and confirm that all of the information is correct, including the sample code number and their declaration of medications and/or products they have used. They will also be asked their consent for the use of the sample for research purposes. They will receive a copy of the DCF and should keep it.
Laboratory Process: All samples are sent to WADA accredited laboratories for analysis.

Report doping

Every time someone steps forward with information on doping, we move closer to a clean and fair playing field for all. As an athlete, athlete support personnel or any person aware of doping practices has a duty to report their suspicions to WADA, their IF or NADO, even if you are not sure about what you witnessed.

Many ADOs, including WADA, have online, confidential tools to report suspicious behavior. Every piece of information is important.

Report doping or any concern about doping here: ADA’s Speak Up or ITA’s REVEAL

education tools

ADEL

ADEL is the global Anti-Doping Education and Learning platform.
Please utilize it for learning about anti-doping measures.

ADEL courses for athletes:

Privacy and Information Security Awareness for Athletes
Athlete’s Guide to the 2021 Code
At-a-Glance: Athlete Whereabouts
At-a-Glance: Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE)
At-a-Glance: Anti-Doping Overview
Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Testing – The Basics
Factsheet – Glucocorticoid Injections
ADEL for International-Level Athletes
Guide to the List 2023
ADEL for National-Level Athletes
ADEL for Registered Testing Pool Athletes
Welcome to Sport Values

　　・Respect
　　・Equity
　　・Inclusion

ADEL for Talented Level Athletes
Recertification course for International-Level Athletes/National Level-Athletes

ADEL courses for athlete support personnel:

ADEL for High Performance Coaches
Factsheet for Medical Professionals – Glucocorticoid Injection
ADEL for Medical Professionals
ADEL for Medical Professionals at Major Games
ADEL for Parents of Elite Athletes
Athlete Support Personnel Guide to the Code 2021
Sport Values in Every Classroom

important definitions

International-Level Athlete (ILA): Athletes who compete in sport at the international level, as defined by each International Federation, consistent with the International Standard for Testing and Investigations. National-Level Athlete (NLA): Athletes who compete in sport at the national level, as defined by each National Anti-Doping Organization, consistent with the International Standard for Testing and Investigations.
Event period: The Code states that the definition of event period “The time between the beginning and end of an event, as established by the ruling body of the event.”
In-competition period: The Code defines the in-competition period as “The period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a competition in which the athlete is scheduled to participate through the end of such competition and the sample collection process related to such competition.”
Out-of-competition period: The Code defines the out-of-competition period simply as “Any period which is not in-competition”.

links to WADA Documents and resources

ADAMS
ADEL
Speak Up (subject to WADA’s approval) or REVEAL (for ITA partners that have included it in their contract)
Prohibited Association
World Anti-Doping Code (Code)
International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI)
International Standard for Laboratories (ISL)
International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information (ISPPPI)
International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS)
International Standard for Education (ISE)
International Standard for Result Management (ISRM)
The List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List)
Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act (Act)

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