Frequently Asked Questions

ANTI-DOPING ORGANISATIONS

What is WADA?

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the international independent organization created in 1999 to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight against doping in sport in all its forms.

What is the Caribbean RADO?

The Caribbean regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) is the regional secretariat for anti-doping in the Caribbean, with a vision to value and foster doping free sport in the Caribbean.

What is Doping?

Doping is defined as the Occurrence of one or more of the following anti-doping rule violations.

EVERYTHING THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION

What is a TUE?

As an athlete, you may have an illness or condition that requires a particular medication. If this medication appears on the Prohibited List, you may be granted a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) which gives you permission to take it.

Who needs to apply for a TUE?

Any athlete who may be subject to doping control must request a TUE before taking a prohibited medication. All information in this request remains strictly confidential.

When should I apply for a TUE?

An application must be made at least 30 days before taking part in an event. In exceptional cases or true emergencies, a TUE may be approved retroactively.

Where do I apply for a TUE?

How does the TUE process work?

1. Request a TUE form from your relevant anti-doping organization (ADO) or through ADAMS.*

2. Your physician fills out the TUE form and you send it back to your ADO.

3. Once a TUE is requested, a panel of experts selected by the ADO reviews your request and will grant a TUE if:

Your health will be significantly impaired if you do not take the substance.
The substance does not enhance your performance beyond what brings you back to normal health.
There are no alternative treatments available.

4. The ADO advises if you can take the requested medication or not. In the case of a denied request, you will be informed of the reasons. You have the right to appeal the decision.

THE PROHIBITED LIST

What is the Prohibited List?

The List applies to athletes both in- and out-of-competition.

Where can I find the Prohibited List?

WADA updates the List annually and the most current version is posted on their website.

How often is the List updated?

The updated list normally applies from 1 January each year and is available a few months before on the WADA website.
The list is divided into substances that are:
banned at all times and
those prohibited during the in-competition period
(as defined by each sport but often within 24 hours of the competition).

Can you be sanctioned for drinking alcohol?

Are recreational drugs banned?

DOPING CONTROL

What is doping control?

Doping control comprises collecting samples from an athlete, analysing the sample to detect whether it contains a prohibited substance and/or to detect the use of a prohibited method, taking measures depending on the result of the analysis (“result management”), and conducting all other related procedures.

Who gets tested?

If you compete at the international and/or national level, you can have your urine and/or blood tested anytime, anywhere by your IF, NADO or a Major Event Organizing Committee. Specially trained and accredited doping control personnel carry out all tests.
Testing can be conducted in-competition and out-of-competition.

Why me?

In-competition you can be chosen by random selection, finishing position or by being targeted for a particular reason.

Out-of-competition you may be tested anytime, anywhere and with no advance notice.

If you are a minor or an athlete with a specific disability, you may require slight modifications to the sample collection procedure. You can discuss these modifications with the Doping Control Officer at the time of testing.

How exactly is doping control conducted?

ANTI-DOPING ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

What is ADAMS?

ADAMS (Anti-doping Administration & Management System) is WADA’s secure web-based anti-doping database management system. ADAMS stores laboratory results, TUEs and information on Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). This database facilitates the sharing of information among relevant organizations and aims to promote efficiency, effectiveness and transparency.

Do all athletes have access to ADAMS?

Most International Federations, National Anti-Doping Organizations, Regional Anti-Doping Organizations use ADAMS as a central information base for athlete whereabouts information, TUEs and test results. ADAMS has been developed to make your life easier.

You have access to your own information in ADAMS. International Federations, National Anti-Doping Organizations, Regional Anti-Doping Organizations are responsible for giving you access to ADAMS. Only restricted personnel within Anti-Doping Organizations have access to your data. ADAMS’ multi-level access system protects data security and confidentiality

RESULTS MANAGEMENT

What is Results Management?

Sanctions for violating anti-doping regulations may range from a reprimand to a lifetime ban. The period of ineligibility may vary depending on the type of anti-doping violation, the circumstances of an individual case, the substance, and the possible repetition of an anti-doping rule violation.

As an athlete, you have the right to request a B sample analysis. You are entitled to a fair hearing and to appeal any decision regarding a positive test or sanction imposed on you following an anti-doping rule violation.

What is a recreational athlete?

Every athlete has a right to clean sport.

Why all the fuss about doping?

If you still doubt us watch Andreas’ story.

WHEREABOUTS

What is whereabouts?

Athlete whereabouts are a crucial step in ensuring that your sport and your competitors stay on a level playing field

Who submits whereabouts information?

Very few athletes are in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) and need to provide accurate and current whereabouts information.

Why do I need to submit my whereabouts information?

Providing whereabouts is about protecting your right to clean sport. Whereabouts information gives the Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) the ability to locate athletes with no notice, which is vital to testing athletes who choose to cheat themselves by doping

What exactly do I need to provide?

If you are asked to provide whereabouts information by your ADO, you may be required to provide information such as:
• home address
• training information and locations
• competition schedules
• regular personal activities such as work or school
• For those few athletes included in a RTP, one 60-minute time period a day, where you’ll be available for testing, must also be provided.