The Prohibited List

All banned substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List, which is updated at the beginning of every calendar year, but may also be updated throughout the year. The latest Prohibited List can be found on the WADA website [wada-ama.org]

Understand the Importance of Checking Medications

Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or bought over the counter) athletes must check to make sure it does not contain any banned substances. Medications can be checked online at Global DRO [www.globaldro.co.uk]. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country.

Know the Risks with Nutritional Supplements

Athletes are strongly advised to be very cautious if they choose to take any supplement such as vitamin tablets, energy drinks, or sport-nutrition formulas. This is because there is no guarantee that any supplement is free from banned substances.

All athletes are advised to:

• assess the need to use supplements by seeking advice from a medical professional or nutritionist on their need to use supplement products
• assess the risks associated with supplements and undertake thorough research of all supplement products they are considering taking
• assess the consequences to their careers – they could receive a four-year ban
  before making a decision to use supplements.

However, supplement risks can be reduced by:

• undertaking thorough internet research
• only using batch-tested products
• checking on Informed-Sport (which is a risk minimisation programme) that the supplement has been batch tested
• International-level athletes (as defined by their International Federation) need to apply to their International Federation for a TUE
• Athletes competing at National level need to apply to UKAD for a TUE

Visit the UKAD website for further information [www.ukad.org.uk/supplements] including information on the Informed Sport [www. informed-sport.com] programme, which provides a batch-testing service for supplement products.

Apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) 

Athletes who need to use a banned substance or method to treat a genuine medical condition, and there are no reasonable alternatives, may have to apply for a TUE.

• International-level athletes (as defined by their International Federation) need to apply to their International Federation for a TUE
• Athletes competing at National level need to apply to UKAD for a TUE if they are in the TUE pool (see below).

Athletes who have an existing TUE issued by UKAD do not need to reapply for a new TUE when becoming an International-Level Athlete. They should provide their International Federation with a copy of their TUE to ensure it is recognised.

Athletes listed under the ‘National’ category for their sport must apply for their TUE in advance of competing if they are in the TUE pool. The ‘National’ category for TUEs is defined by UKAD by sport and can be found on UKAD’s website. Only in an emergency situation or where there will be a severe impact on health should treatment begin without the necessary approval.

You can find out more about whether you need a TUE and how to apply for one (including emergency TUEs) on the UKAD website.

Understand What Happens in a Test (Doping Control)

Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. When selected for testing, athletes should take a representative with them to the Doping Control Station.

A urine test will follow these main steps:

• Notification
• Reporting to Doping Control Station
• Providing a sample
• Recording and certifying sample information

UK Anti-Doping recommends that athletes follow their normal hydration routines if selected for testing.

Athletes need to be prepared to provide details of any substances they have taken – this needs to be written on the Doping Control form. Athletes should report any concerns they have about the process or the equipment on the Doping Control form.

Athletes can find out more about testing, including their rights and responsibilities, in the Athlete Zone or by downloading the Clean Sport App from their app store.