Anti-Doping

2024 WADA List of prohibited substances and methods in force from 1 January 2024

The 2024 WADA list of prohibited substance and methods to come into force on 1 January 2024. WADA informs as follows:

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), which was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 22 September 2023 and enters into force on 1 January 2024.

We also publish:

The List is one of the eight International Standards that are mandatory for all Signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). It designates what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.

Major Modifications for 2024

All Major Modifications for 2024 are outlined in the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, including the following particular information regarding tramadol:

On 23 September 2022, the ExCo endorsed the recommendation by WADA’s List Expert Advisory Group to prohibit the narcotic tramadol in competition, effective 1 January 2024. The delay in implementation was to provide an additional year to allow enough time for stakeholders to learn and adapt to this change.

Tramadol has been on WADA’s Monitoring Program and data gathered through that program have indicated significant use in sports. Tramadol abuse, with its risk of physical dependence, opiate use disorder and overdoses, is of concern worldwide and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries. Research studies funded by WADA, as referenced in the Explanatory Note, have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance sports performance.

The prohibited list can be found here:

2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods

WADA Advice on NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS

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 dietary 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. Taking a poorly labeled dietary supplement is not an adequate defense in a doping hearing.

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

WADA’s Q&A on nutritional supplements

WFDF List of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs)

Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs): publication of ADRVs sanctioned by the IF or under the jurisdiction of the IF (WADC Art. 14.3, with publication details in 14.3.1 to 14.3.6):

There are currently NO ADRV's reported in Flying Disc sports.

Consequences of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (Consequences)

An Athlete’s or other Person’s violation of an anti-doping rule may result in one or more of the following:

(a) Disqualification means the Athlete’s results in a particular Competition or Event are invalidated, with all resulting Consequences including forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes;

(b) Ineligibility means the Athlete or other Person is barred on account of an anti-doping rule violation for a specified period of time from participating in any Competition or other activity or funding as provided in Article 10.12.1;

(c) Provisional Suspension means the Athlete or other Person is barred temporarily from participating in any Competition or activity prior to the final decision at a hearing conducted under Article 8;

(d) Financial Consequences means a financial sanction imposed for an anti-doping rule violation or to recover costs associated with an anti-doping rule violation; and

(e) Public Disclosure or Public Reporting means the dissemination or distribution of information to the general public or Persons beyond those Persons entitled to earlier notification in accordance with Article 14. Teams in Team Sports may also be subject to Consequences as provided in Article 11.

HEALTH CONSEQUENCES OF DOPING

Most of the Prohibited Substances and Methods are used as medicaments for the cure of severe diseases and when acting as doping substances or methods they are used in increased dosage which causes harms to the organism (the damage depends on the type of the Prohibited Substance or Method, dose and regularity of use) and in some of the cases even death. Most of the medicaments have side effects that could lead the sports career to the end before it has even fully started.

SOCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF DOPING

These consequences can lead to many various situations - loss of any possible sponsorship, ruining of a future career, disrupted relationships with family and friends (e.g. clean teammates would not like to compete with anyone associated with doping) or loss of psychological or emotional peace of mind together with loss of respect and credibility from other people.

WFDF - Anti-Doping Rules and Policy, Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) application procedure

At the 2011 WFDF Congress held in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, WFDF voted to adopt the first new version of the WFDF Anti-Doping rules, which came into effect on 1st September 2011.

The latest version is effective as of 1 January 2021 and ensures WFDFs WADA code compliance:

WFDF Anti-Doping Rules 2021 (valid from 1 January 2021)

WFDF regularly adds updates on documents. These are valid through 2023:

WFDF Anti-doping Privacy Notice

WFDF TUE application form for Therapeutic Use Exemption

WFDF Athlete TUE Process 2022

WFDF Doping Control form as WADA template

WFDF Athlete Consent form

WFDF Failure to comply doc

WFDF AAF+ATF Review Procedure

WFDF NF Testing Authority

WFDF Policy for Gathering Intelligence

WFDF Testing Pool Policy

WFDF Annual Statistical Anti-Doping Report 2022
As per Art. 14.4 of the World Anti-Doping Code WFDF provides an annual statistical Anti-Doping report.

Introduction - Principles and values associated with clean sport

Anti-doping programs are founded on the intrinsic value of sport. This intrinsic value is often referred to as "the spirit of sport": the ethical pursuit of human excellence through the dedicated perfection of each Athlete’s natural talents.

Anti-doping programs seek to protect the health of Athletes and to provide the opportunity for Athletes to pursue human excellence without the Use of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods. Anti-doping programs seek to maintain the integrity of sport in terms of respect for rules, other competitors, fair competition, a level playing field, and the value of clean sport to the world.
 
The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind. It is the essence of Olympism and is reflected in the values we find in and through sport, including:
• Health
• Ethics, fair play and honesty
• Athletes’ rights as set forth in the Code
• Excellence in performance

Athletes’, ASP’s and other groups’ rights and responsibilities under the Code

Rights and Responsibilities

  • Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and other groups who are subject to anti-doping rules all have rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code. Part Three of the Code outlines these for each stakeholder in the anti-doping system.
  • It is especially important that athletes and Athlete Support Personnel know and understand Code 21 (Additional Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes and Other Persons), particularly Art. 21.1 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes), Art. 21.2 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel) and Art. 21.3 (Roles and Responsibilities of Other Persons Subject to the Code).
  • Athletes’ Rights
  • This section presents a summary of the key athlete rights. It is important that both athletes and Athlete Support Personnel know and understand these.
  • Ensuring that athletes are aware of their rights and these are respected is vital to the success of clean sport. Athlete rights exist throughout the Code and International Standards and they include:
    Equality of opportunity
    • Equitable and Fair Testing programs
    • Medical treatment and protection of health rights
    • Right to justice
    • Right to accountability
    • Whistle-blower rights
    • Right to education
    • Right to data protection
    • Rights to compensation
    • Protected Persons Rights
    • Rights during a Sample Collection Session
    • Right to B sample analysis
    • Other rights and freedoms not affected
    • Application and standing

The Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act sets out these rights and responsibilities. For more information, you can refer directly to the document here: Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act.

Athletes’ Responsibilities

  • It is equally important that athletes are aware of their anti-doping responsibilities.
    Athlete Support Personnel should also familiarise themselves with these in order to be able to support their athletes. These include:
    • Knowing and following WFDF Anti-Doping Rules and any other applicable Anti-Doping Rules
    • Taking full responsibility for what you ingest – make sure that no prohibited substance enters your body and that no prohibited methods are used
    • Informing medical personnel of your obligations as an athlete
    • Cooperating with WFDF and other ADOs (WADA, ITA)
    • Being available for sample collection
    • Not working with coaches, trainers, physicians or other Athlete Support Personnel who are ineligible on account of an ADRV, or those who have been criminally convicted or disciplined in relation to doping (see WADA’s Prohibited Association List)
    Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.1.
    Athletes also have specific rights and responsibilities during the Doping Control Process. Please refer to this section here for more information on this.

Rights and Responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel and other groups

  • Like athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and others under the jurisdiction of WFDF also have rights and responsibilities as per the Code. These include:
    Being knowledgeable of anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you and to the athlete(s) you support
    • Using your influence on athlete values and behaviours to foster anti-doping attitudes
    • Complying with all anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you and the athlete(s) you support
    • Cooperating with the athlete testing program
    • Disclosing to the WFDF whether you have committed any Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) within the previous ten years
    • Cooperating with ADOs investigating ADRVs
    Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.2 and 21.3.

The principle of strict liabilityThe principle of strict liability is applied in situations where urine/blood samples collected from an athlete have produced adverse analytical results.

It means that each athlete is strictly liable for the substances found in his or her bodily specimen, and that an anti-doping rule violation occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.

Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs)

Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs):

  • presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in an athlete’s sample;
  • use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or method;
  • evading, refusing, or failing to submit to sample collection by an athlete;
  • whereabouts failures by an athlete;
  • tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control by an athlete or other person;
  • possession of a prohibited substance or method by an athlete or athlete support person;
  • trafficking or attempted trafficking in any prohibited substance or method by an athlete or other person;
  • administration or attempted administration by an athlete or other person to any athlete in-competition of any prohibited substance or method; out-of-competition if the substance or method is prohibited out-of-competition;
  • complicity or attempted complicity by an athlete or other person;
  • prohibited association by an athlete or other person;
  • actions by an athlete or other person to discourage or retaliate against reporting to authorities, to frighten someone from reporting suspected doping or to revenge against those who have reported.

Risks of supplement use

Extreme caution is recommended regarding supplement use. A number of positive tests have been attributed to the misuse of supplements, poor labelling or contamination of dietary supplements. There is no guarantee that any supplement is free from prohibited substances.

Risks of supplements include:
• Manufacturing standards, which are often less strict compared with medicines. These lower standards often lead to supplement contamination with an undeclared prohibited substance;
• Fake or low-quality products which may contain prohibited substances – and be harmful to health;
• Mislabelling of supplements with ingredients wrongly listed and prohibited substances not identified on the product label;
• False claims that a particular supplement is endorsed by ADOs or that it is “safe for athletes”. Remember, ADOs do not certify supplements and product labels may contain misleading messaging.
All 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 an assessment should be done with the support of a certified nutritionist or other qualified professional who is familiar with the anti-doping rules.

Checking Supplements
If, after careful consideration, an athlete chooses to use supplements, they must take the necessary steps to minimise the risks. 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 the global and any sport-specific anti-doping rules.
• Selecting only those supplements that have been batch-tested by an independent company. Companies that batch-test supplements include Informed Sport, Certified for Sport or Kölner Liste.
Remember, no supplement is 100% risk-free but athletes and Athlete Support Personnel can take certain steps to minimise these risks.
For more information, please refer to the WADA Q&A on nutritional supplements.

Use of medications and TUEs

Please find the WFDF ATHLETE’S THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION PROCESS HERE.

Extract:

WHAT IS A THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE)?

Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete is required to use to treat an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List a TUE may give that athlete the authorization to use that substance or method while competing without invoking an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and applicable sanction. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, the TUE Committee (TUEC).

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING A TUE?

All of the four following criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.2):
- The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method;
- The therapeutic use of the substance will not, on the balance of probabilities produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health;
- The prohibited substance or method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative;-§ The necessity to use that substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.

WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR A TUE? WHERE AND WHEN TO APPLY?

Athletes who are subject to anti-doping rules would need a TUE to take a prohibited substance or use a prohibited method. You should verify with WFDF to know to whom you need to apply and if you can apply retroactively. First, check if the required medication or method you intend to take, or use is prohibited as per the WADA Prohibited List.

[Prohibited List / page] You may also use a ‘check your medication’ online too or ask your NADO if it has one.

You have a responsibility to inform your physician(s) that you are an Athlete bound to anti-doping rules. You and your physician(s) should check the Prohibited List for the substance/method you are prescribed. If the substance/method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives, if there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember Athletes have the ultimate responsibility. Contact your NADO or WFDF if you are having difficulties. Then, contact WFDF under [email protected] to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements.

If it is determined that you are an International-Level Athlete what means that you are competing in WFDF international events on the official WFDF calendar of events you must apply to WFDF in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances.

For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition, unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs (see below) apply.

Please refer to the section “How to apply to WFDF for a TUE?” below.
If you already have a TUE granted by your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) WFDF applies an automatic recognition from all NADOs or for all substances on the prohibited list.

In such case, please notify WFDF that you have a TUE granted by your NADO.

If you are NOT an International-Level Athlete and you have been tested by WFDF, WFDF recognizes a valid TUE granted by your NADO (i.e., it satisfies the ISTUE criteria for granting a TUE); unless you are required to apply for recognition of the TUE because you are competing in an international event.

If you are NOT a National-Level Athlete as defined by your NADO and you have been tested by WFDF, you must apply for a retroactive TUE to WFDF.

HOW TO APPLY TO WFDF FOR A TUE?

Through ADAMS or paper format / electronic TUE form.

WFDF encourages to submit TUE applications via ADAMS, together with the required medical information. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact [email protected] to have it set up.

Otherwise, please download the WFDF’s TUE Application Form, and once duly completed and signed, send it together with the required medical file to [email protected].

Your TUE application must be submitted in legible capital letters or typing.

The medical file must include:
- A comprehensive medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s) (where possible);
- The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application.
- Regarding to the costs related to a TUE application those are the responsibility of the Athlete, including any required additional medical examinations, tests, imaging studies, etc.

Any TUE application that is not complete or legible will not be dealt with and will be returned for completion and re-submission.

To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’sChecklists for TUE applications for guidance and support, and TUE Physician Guidelines for guidance on specific common medical conditions, treatments, substances, etc.

Keep a complete copy of the TUE application form and all medical information submitted in support of your application, and proof that it has been sent.

Testing procedures, including urine, blood and the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)

Introduction to Doping Control

The aim of testing is to detect and deter doping amongst athletes and to protect clean athletes. Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of WFDF may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in- or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine or a blood sample.

Athletes can be tested by WFDF, their International Federation or Major Event Organisers. The WFDF their anti-doping programs to the International Testing Agency (ITA).

What to expect during the Doping Control Process

The doping control process is clearly defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency. This means that no matter where and when an athlete is tested, the process should remain the same.

The key steps of the doping control process are listed out in this Doping Control resource prepared by the International Testing Agency (also available in Arabic (عربى), Chinese (中文), French (français), German (deutsche), Italian (italiano), Japanese (日本語), Korean (한국어), Portuguese (português), Russian (русский) and Spanish (español).

To learn more about the doping control process, please watch this ITA webinar on urine and blood sample collection.

Rights & Responsibilities during Sample Collection

Athlete rights during sample collection are to:
• Have a representative accompany them during the process
• Request an interpreter, if one is available
• Ask for Chaperone’s/Doping Control Officer’s identification
• Ask any questions
• Request a delay for a valid reason (e.g., attending a victory ceremony, receiving necessary medical attention,  warming down or finishing a training session)
• Request special assistance or modifications to the process
• Record any comments or concerns on the Doping Control Form

Athlete responsibilities during sample collection are to:
• Report for testing immediately if selected
• Show valid identification (usually a government-issued ID)
• Remain in direct sight of the Doping Control Officer or Chaperone
• Comply with the collection procedure

Athlete Biological Passport

The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) was introduced in 2009 and is a pillar method in the detection of doping. It is an individual electronic profile that monitors selected athlete biological variables that indirectly reveal the effects of doping. ABP is integrated directly into ADAMS.

If you wish to learn more about ABP, you can watch this ITA webinar recording

Requirements of the RTP, including whereabouts and the use of ADAMS

Requirements for TP athletes

In particular, the athletes included in the WFDF Testing Pool shall provide the following whereabouts:

  • an overnight address;
  • competition/event schedule;
  • regular training activities.

For more information, please refer to the ISTI (you can find the link on "Documents & Regulations").

Consequences for TP athletes

As established in the art. 5.5.12 of the WFDF AD Rules, an athlete's failure to provide whereabouts information on or before the date required by WFDF or the athlete's failure to provide accurate whereabouts information may result in WFDF elevating the athlete to WFDF's Registered Testing Pool (if one is established) and/or additional appropriate and proportionate non-Code Article 2.4 consequences, established by WFDF if any.

Requirements for RTP athletes

According with the art. 4.8.6.2 of the WADA International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI), an athlete who is in a Registered Testing Pool shall:

  • provide accurate and complete information about the athlete's whereabouts during the forthcoming quarter, including where they will be living, training and competing;
  • describe in detail a 60-minute time slot in which to be available at a specific location for control.

Consequences for RTP athletes

Several consequences such as a potential two-year ban from baseball and softball are established in case of missed whereabouts information, in addition to those determined in the art. 10-11 of the same rules.

The athletes are strict liable about the insertion of their whereabouts.

Advice for athletes

WADA  Website and International Standards

WADA WEBSITE

WADA Standards

The WADA International Standards can be found here.

The World Anti-Doping Code (Code) works in conjunction with six International Standards aimed at bringing harmonization among anti-doping organizations in various technical areas, namely:

Links to WADA’s free online educational resources:
 Anti-Doping e-learning platform (ADeL)
• Doping Control Process Video
• Athlete Reference Guide to the 2021 Code
• Dangers of Doping: Get the Facts leaflet
• Doping Control Process

WADA Prohibited Association list


WADA Educational Material

ENG
FRA
ESP