Athlete Support Personnel: Supporting athletes through the 2027 Code

The Code now further reinforces and emphasises human rights, centred around Athlete-wellbeing. This evolution recognises Athletes as people at the centre of the system, not just competitors. 

Athletes will benefit from: 

• Clearer recognition of human rights in anti-doping processes - Respect for human rights is one of the key values which has been embedded into the ‘Fundamental Rationale for the World Anti-Doping Code’. 
• Broader provisions for challenging decisions, including the right of all Athletes to appeal decisions at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the expansion of grounds for lifting a mandatory Provisional Suspension.  
• More accountability for Athlete Support Personnel within the anti-doping system. 
• Stronger education and support to Athlete Support Personnel, recognising their influence on Athlete decisions and their role in supporting Athlete rights, wellbeing and the prevention of unintentional doping. 

The 2027 Code strengthens decision-making and investigations, helping ensure cases are handled consistently. There will also be more scrutiny of decisions to close cases.  

• More oversight when Anti-Doping Organisations consider closing a case or departing from the usual Results Management process following an Adverse Analytical Finding. A new Independent Review Expert will review these decisions, helping to ensure greater consistency and transparency in decision-making. 
• A new International Standard for Intelligence and Investigations ensuring investigations are based on reasonable cause and are objective and proportionate. Investigations of Athlete Support Personnel are also required where multiple Athletes linked to the same support personnel commit anti-doping rule violations, bringing a greater focus on the role played by such Athlete Support Personnel.  
• A more independent hearing process globally. The National Anti-Doping Panel hears cases brought by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) in the UK and already operates independently. However, Athletes can now be confident that hearing processes across the world are independent, with hearing panels globally operating with stronger institutional and operational independence.  
• Greater operational independence for National Anti-Doping Organisations, helping ensure Testing, Results Management and operational decisions are free from sporting and political interference. 

New support measures for this group will provide greater protection. There will also be increased scrutiny of adults working with young Athletes.  

New protections include: 

• Support for Minors and Athletes with impairments during the Testing process. A parent or representative should be present when a Minor is tested and is recommended for Athletes with visual or intellectual impairments if they need assistance. If not able to attend in person, they can now join by video call. 
• Reduced requirements to publicly disclose anti-doping rule violations. 
• More focus on adults around the Athlete - Automatic investigations of Athlete Support Personnel not only in cases involving Protected Persons, but all Minors and higher sanctions for Athlete Support Personnel for violations involving a Protected Person or Minor. 
• Extra safeguards during investigations and hearings - There must be clear, documented policies for investigations involving Protected Persons and Minors that adapt standard procedures to reflect their distinct legal and developmental status. The hearing process will also need to consider and implement any reasonable adjustments or modifications that can help accommodate Athletes with impairments.   

The Code affords greater flexibility in sanctioning than before, including: 

• A more flexible approach to sanctions when evidence shows a Prohibited Substance was not used to enhance sporting performance. 
• Reduced sanctions for ‘recreational’ drugs, known as Substances of Abuse - certain cases are to be treated primarily as a health and wellbeing issue with a reduced sanction of two months when Use occurs Out-of-Competition and in a context unrelated to sport performance. Use In-Competition and in a context unrelated to sport performance will result in a sanction ranging from six months to two years depending on circumstances. 
• Recognition that unintentional doping may result from Contaminated Sources, not just products - A wider range of contamination sources can now directly be factored in when determining sanction, such as environmental contamination and contact exposure. 
• A two-month sanction in some Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) related cases where an Athlete can show that their Use of a Prohibited Substance or Method would have met the criteria for a TUE to be granted. 
• A 21-day timeframe for Anti-Doping Organisations to notify Athletes of a positive test after laboratory analysis of a Sample. 

The 2027 Code further encourages cooperation and early resolution of cases: 

• Where an Athlete admits an anti-doping rule violation and accepts the asserted Consequences within 20 days of notification, they will be eligible for a 25% reduction to their ban (reduction is capped to one-year). 
• More opportunities to receive a part-suspension of a ban by providing Substantial Assistance. Athletes and other individuals may receive a suspension of up to 15% for providing valuable information, even when the information doesn’t lead to the finding of another anti-doping rule violation (so long as the information is valuable to the effort to eliminate doping in sport). 

Athletes in a Testing Pool have the same core responsibility to keep whereabouts accurate and up to date. Although Athletes remain responsible for their whereabouts information, ASP often play an important supporting role. 

• Quarterly filing deadline - Whereabouts Filing to be submitted by the 15^th before each quarter starts. 
• Proportionate Testing - Minimum number of tests carried out linked to time spent in the Testing Pool within that year. 
• Last-chance phone call - Possibility of a phone call during the final five minutes of an in-hours attempt to test those Athletes within the National Registered Testing Pool (NRTP). 
• Passport photo in ADAMS - Required for NRTP and Domestic Testing Pool (DTP) Athletes. 
• Primary training location replacing ‘regular activities’ - Primary training location now required for each day of the quarter. 
• Competition schedule - Ensure Competition schedule is within whereabouts submission and kept up to date. 
• New inclusion of Team Sports within Testing Pool - Requires teams to submit joint location and training schedules. 

The TUE process provides Athletes with an opportunity to apply for a TUE when medical treatment involving the Use of a Prohibited Substance or Method is necessary. The 2027 updates aim to enhance clarity, consistency and harmonisation across the TUE process. ASP should continue to encourage Athletes to check medications and apply for a TUE where necessary. 

• More streamlined and Athlete-centred TUE recognition - TUEs granted by National Anti-Doping Organisations will automatically be recognised at an international level, unless an International Federation (IF) or Major Event Organisation (MEO) has been granted an exception by WADA to opt out of this default automatic recognition. Where an exception applies, the IF or MEO must clearly publicise which TUEs it will recognise automatically, and those TUE decisions which Athletes will need to submit for evaluation.  
• Clearer and more accessible TUE information - Anti-Doping Organisations must publish key TUE information on websites in a way that is easily accessible to Athletes. This includes information on how to apply for a TUE, information about which Athletes must obtain a TUE in advance, and the TUE recognition process. 

As ASP, you play an important role in supporting Athletes through the Testing process. In 2027 there is an even stronger emphasis on Testing programmes being risk-based, proportionate and supportive to Athletes, with the inclusion of: 

• First contact - The 2027 Code introduces clearer and more transparent notification procedures to ensure fairness and consistency. This includes recording the time of first contact with the Athlete (for example, via an intercom), as well as the time of notification itself.  
• Identification of doping control personnel - All doping control personnel must carry and present an accreditation from their agency, as well as government issued ID.  
• Identification of Athletes - Athletes will be asked to present government issued ID (for example, passport or driver’s licence) that contains at a minimum the name of the issuing body, their name, their date of birth, an expiry date and their photograph. This can be presented physically or electronically via personal device.  
• No shower before Sample collection – It is not possible to delay the collection of a urine Sample following notification in order to shower, because it can impact the integrity of the Testing process.  
• Gender-neutral Testing procedures - If sport gender is not specified in a mixed gender or ‘open’ event, Athletes can choose whether male or female Doping Control Personnel observe their Sample collection. This change supports Athlete dignity and privacy during the Testing process.  
• Use of Catheters - Athletes who use catheters and are unable to use gloves, are permitted to wash their hands with soap and water prior to using the catheter in order to minimise the risk of possible infection.