There is a specific International Standard for Results Management that sets out the core responsibilities of Anti-Doping Organizations with respect to Results Management. In addition to describing certain general principles of Results Management, this International Standard also sets out the core obligations applicable to the various phases of Results Management from the initial review and notification of potential anti-doping rule violations, through Provisional Suspensions, the assertion of anti-doping rule violations and proposal of Consequences, the Hearing Process until the issuance and notification of the decision and appeal.
Anti Doping Rule Violation
Rule 1: Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample
It is a violation if a sample (urine or blood) provided by an Athlete is tested positive for prohibited substances or its metabolites or markers. According to the Principle of Strict Liability, Athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance found in his or her samples, no matter if the prohibited substance is used intentionally or not.
Rule 2: Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method
A rule violation is established when there is valid proof, such as admissions by the Athletes, witness statements, documentary evidence or conclusions drawn from analysis of Athlete’s samples, indicating the Athlete has used or attempted to use a prohibited substance or prohibited method.
Rule 3: Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection by an Athlete
Athletes have to submit to sample collection carried out by anti-doping authorities at anytime and anywhere. Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification after notification by a duly authorized person is a violation of the rule.
Rule 4: Whereabouts Failures by an Athlete
Any combination of 3 Missed Tests and/or Filing Failures, as defined in the International Standard for Results Management, within a 12-month period by an Athlete in a Registered Testing Pool.
Rule 5: Tampering or Attempted Tampering with any Part of Doping Control by an Athlete or Other Person
Tampering shall include, without limitation, offering or accepting a bribe to perform or fail to perform an act, preventing the collection of a Sample, affecting or making impossible the analysis of a Sample, falsifying documents submitted to an Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) or Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) committee or hearing panel, procuring false testimony from witnesses, committing any other fraudulent act upon the ADO or hearing body to affect Results Management or the imposition of Consequences, and any other similar intentional interference or attempted interference with any aspect of Doping Control.
Rule 6: Possession of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method by an Athlete or Athlete Support Person
It will be a violation of the rule if an Athlete or Athlete Support Person possess any prohibited substance/or prohibited method without acceptable justification or a valid TUE.
Rule 7: Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking in any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method by an Athlete or Other Person
Rule 8: Administration or Attempted Administration by an Athlete or Other Person to any Athlete In-Competition of any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method, or Administration or Attempted Administration to any Athlete Out-of-Competition of any Prohibited Substance or any Prohibited Method that is Prohibited Out-of-Competition
Rule 9: Complicity or Attempted Complicity by an Athlete or Other Person
Any person assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up or any other type of intentional complicity or attempted complicity involving an anti-doping rule violation or attempted anti-doping rule violation constitutes a violation. Complicity or Attempted Complicity may include either physical or psychological assistance.
Rule 10: Prohibited Association by an Athlete or Other Person
Association by an Athlete or other Person in a professional or sport-related capacity with any Athlete Support Person who is serving a period of ineligibility, or who has been convicted in a criminal, disciplinary or professional proceedings to have engaged in conduct which would have violated the anti-doping rules, constitutes a violation.
Rule 11: Acts by an Athlete or Other Person to Discourage or Retaliate Against Reporting to Authorities
Any act which threatens or seeks to intimidate another Person with the intent of discouraging the Person from the good-faith reporting of information that relates to an alleged anti-doping rule violation or alleged non-compliance with the Code; or retaliation against a Person who, in good faith, has provided evidence or information that relates to an alleged anti-doping rule violation or alleged non-compliance with the Code is a violation of the rule.
Consequences of Doping
Doping has consequences which may include the assertion of Anti-Doping Rules Violation with sanctions, health, financial and social consequences.
Consequences of Anti-Doping Rule Violation
Sanctions for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation may include, but are not limited to:
- Ineligible to participate in any capacity in any sport-related activities for a period of time
- Disqualification of results in a particular competition or event
- Forfeiture of medals, points and prizes
- Fines
Health Consequences
Use of any prohibited substances/prohibited methods may cause serious health problems and adverse side effects physically and mentally. Depends on
the substance, dose and regularity of use, certain side-effects can even be life-threatening. Please refer to the education pamphlet for more information on
Health Risks and Side Effects of Performance Enhancing Drugs.
Financial Consequences
An infringement of anti-doping rules often leads to loss of sport-related financial support or other benefits and termination of sponsorship contract. If an Athlete has been found guilty of an Anti- Doping Rule Violation, apart from a fine and/or repayment of prize money, a ban from all sports (such as competing, training or coaching) also means that they cannot earn their living as usual.
Social Consequences
Doping may lead to reputational damage to the Athlete, loss of respect and creditability from family and friends, damage to the sport and to the Athlete’s future career prospects. According to the anti-doping rules, public disclosure is required for any Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
Strict Liability Principle
Inadvertent doping occurs when an athlete unintentionally uses prohibited substance(s) and consequently returns with a positive doping test result.
Athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance found in his or her body, no matter if the prohibited substance is used intentionally or not.