Athletes have the right to compete in doping-free sport and have a responsibility to ensure they are competing without the use of prohibited substances or methods.
Strict liability is a fundamental principle of the Code. Athletes will be held personally responsible for any prohibited substance found in their system, regardless of how it got there.
Athletes new to elite sport need to make sure they are fully aware of their anti-doping responsibilities. The Athlete Zone of the UK Anti-Doping website should answer most questions, but below is a short summary of the key elements of anti-doping.
World Anti-Doping Code and the five International Standards
The World Anti-Doping Code seeks to harmonise the rules, policies and regulations regarding anti-doping across all sports and all countries. The Code is supported by five International Standards that ensure a uniformed approach to anti-doping around the world.
Visit www.wada-ama.org and the World Anti-Doping Agency section of the website.
Testing and the National Registered Testing Pools (NRTP)
Athletes subject to the anti-doping rules of their sport are eligible for testing at any time. In addition to this, some athletes may be selected for the National Registered Testing Pool (NRTP).
Athletes nominated for inclusion in the NRTP will be notified by their National Governing Body (NGB) or by UK Anti-Doping and will be required to supply details of their whereabouts for out-of-competition testing.
Visit Testing programme and Testing advice for athletes for more detailed information.
Whereabouts
If an athlete is nominated by UK Anti-Doping or their NGB for out-of-competition testing, they will be asked to provide up-to-date athlete whereabouts filings to ensure they can be tested at any time and any where at no advance notice.
Athletes who have already been notified and inducted onto UK Anti-Doping’s online ADAMS (Anti-Doping Administration and Management System) should ensure that their athlete whereabouts filings are up to date at all times.
Visit www.myadams.co.uk to view the ADAMS tutorial.
Further information: Whereabouts and Athlete Zone Whereabouts sections of the website.
Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)
Athletes who need a prescribed medication or a medical treatment to treat an ongoing or existing medical condition should check whether they contain substances that are prohibited before using them. If there is no alternative treatment available, athletes may need to apply for a TUE.
Visit Therapeutic Use Exemptions for more information.
To check the status of a substance please follow the Global DRO link on the right hand menu.
Further information: Medications & Substances
Urine and blood testing and athlete rights
Athletes subject to the anti-doping rules of their sport are eligible for testing at any time. Rigorous procedures surround the testing process; these are strictly followed to ensure the rights of the athlete are protected. Testing involves an athlete giving a urine or blood sample to a highly trained and accredited Doping Control Officer. That sample is then sent to an accredited WADA laboratory for analysis.
Visit Testing programme for full information on procedures and Testing advice for athletes
Resources and services available to athletes
There are a range of publications, education videos & links on anti-doping available to athletes in the resources section.
Essential contacts
Athletes should not hesitate to ask questions about anti-doping. As well as asking their NGB, coaches and athlete support personal, athletes can contact the drug information line or UK Anti-Doping directly with their questions. UK Anti-Doping would advise athletes to seek assistance rather than risk an anti-doping rule violation. Please see full details below:
Anti-Doping Services
Drug Information Line: +44 (0) 800 528 0004
Drug Information Email: athlete@ukad.org.uk
Confidential Fax: +44 (0) 800 298 3362
Therapeutic Use Exemption Email: tue@ukad.org.uk
Whereabouts Services
Whereabouts System: www.myadams.co.uk
Whereabouts Phone Line: 008000 943 7378 (WHERE R U) (Not available from USA and Australia)
Whereabouts SMS: +44 (0) 7786 202 407
Whereabouts Email: athlete@ukad.org.uk
UK Anti-Doping
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7766 7350
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7766 7351
Email: information@ukad.org.uk
Address:
Oceanic House
1a Cockspur Street
London
SW1Y 5BG
