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Andreas Krieger: Heidi’s Farthest Throw
This film was produced in collaboration with the German National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)
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U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA)
Search Medications & Ingredients
This film was produced in collaboration with the German National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA).
It starts with a simple but powerful mission for clean sport: stand with athletes to champion their right to clean sport, inspire true and healthy sport, and promote the integrity of sport. Guided by this mission, we stand with athletes and for athletes, from the start of their careers to the day they retire. When they first enter sport, we are there to help them learn the lessons and values for success on and off the field. As they ascend to higher levels of sport, we are there with education and resources that help them navigate the anti-doping process. When their success makes them eligible for testing, we are there with a friendly face and consistent protocols to guide them through the process. When they a question about substances and methods, we have experts available a phone call away, and at the forefront of the effort to solve the most complex anti-doping questions. If they run into issues with the rules, we are there with a fair adjudication process that protects the rights of all athletes. And when the day comes for them to start a new journey, we are there to process their retirement and celebrate their commitment to clean sport. From the first whistle to the final buzzer, USADA is standing with athletes to champion their right to clean sport, inspiring true and healthy sport, and promoting the integrity of sport.
Effective anti-doping programs are necessary to help ensure that sport is safe, fair, and authentic. That’s why all athlete members of NGBs are subject to testing.
To protect clean sport and clean athletes around the country, USADA tests athletes at every level of sanctioned competition, including yours. USADA can collect urine, blood, or both during a testing session. These samples are shipped to laboratories accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA.
WADA also develops the Prohibited List, which outlines substances and methods that are either prohibited at all times or in-competition only. The labs screen each sample to detect these prohibited substances and methods.
Any athlete who competes in events sanctioned by a national governing body is subject to testing. It’s also important to remember that you’re responsible for everything that goes on your skin, and in your eyes, ears, mouth, or nose.
USADA’s here to help you compete clean, and we have lots of tools to help you navigate the anti-doping process. In general, there are three things to keep in mind: one, check your medications; two, get a therapeutic use exemption, or TUE, if needed; and three, evaluate the risks before using supplements.
The first step is always to check your medications, which is easy to do with Global DRO. You can search a brand or ingredient on GlobalDRO.com to see if it’s prohibited or permitted in sport.
If a medication you are using is prohibited, you should complete the TUE Pre-Check form to determine if you need to apply for a TUE. The TUE allows you to continue using a medication while training and competing in sanctioned events. There are strict criteria in place for the TUE approval, to ensure that athletes don’t receive a performance advantage from the method or substance. If you need to apply for a TUE, keep in mind that you will need detailed medical documentation from your physician. You also need to receive a TUE before using the prohibited substance. We recommend that you submit the TUE application and documentation at least 30 days before use.
Keep in mind that supplements are not the same as medications. It’s easy to assume that a product is safe if it’s on a store shelf, but dietary supplements are regulated in a post-market manner. So, the Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate the contents or effects of supplements before they reach consumers. This means that a dietary supplement is not removed from store shelves until there is proof that it has already harmed people. You can learn more about the risks associated with supplements at Supplement Connect, USADA’s dietary supplement education and awareness resource. Keep in mind that TUEs aren’t granted for supplements, and the use of any dietary supplement is at your own risk.
Finally, athletes deserve to compete knowing the playing field in sport is level. If at any time you suspect that the integrity of sport is being compromised through the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs or violations of anti-doping rules, we encourage you to send us a tip. You can do so by email, or if you wish to remain anonymous, you can text 87232, call USADA’s Play Clean Tip Line toll-free at 1-877-752-9253, or send tips by mail.
If at any time you feel unsure about your responsibilities, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Athlete Connect at (719) 785-2000 or athleteconnect@usada.org.
At first glance, dietary supplements look the same. They seem safe and healthy, but just because the label says a product is a dietary supplement, that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Unfortunately, you can’t tell whether a product is safe or not just by looking at the label. Most vitamins, minerals, fish oil, and other supplements containing nutrients are probably just fine, but supplements are not evaluated or approved by FDA before they are sold. Although it is rare for vitamins or minerals to be contaminated with drugs, there has been at least one case of a vitamin containing an anabolic steroid.
At the other extreme are products that contain drugs, stimulants, anabolic steroids, or other hormones. Even though these are not technically dietary supplements, many of them are labeled as supplements. For example, body-building products sometimes contain anabolic steroids or Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators, known as SARMs, or other hormones. Some pre-workout or energy products contain illegal stimulants like DMAA, ephedra, or other amphetamine-like stimulants. Weight loss products might contain prescription drugs like sibutramine, or hormones, like human chorionic gonadotropin, also known as hCG. All natural or herbal sexual enhancement products might contain hormones or Viagra-like drugs. Products like these can harm your health and career, but they’re for sale online, in some nutrition stores, and they’re labeled as dietary supplements.
When you pick up a supplement, especially one that promises performance enhancement, you don’t know if it belongs in the “Mostly O.K.” pile or in the “Dangerous” pile. After all, two products might look the same, but one might contain just amino acids and other legitimate ingredients, while the other also contains anabolic steroids. Because of this, FDA has issued a warning about certain categories of supplements: body building products, weight loss products, and sexual enhancement products. Be extremely careful when considering a supplement in one of these categories. We strongly recommend that you avoid products in these categories.
Even when FDA tests supplements and finds dangerous ingredients, companies sometimes refuse to recall them. Sometimes, they simply repackage their product and continue selling it under a new name. Just because a product is on a store shelf doesn’t mean it is safe. You need to do your research and be an informed consumer. The dietary supplement industry is enormous. Supplements that appear to be safe could actually be dangerous products in disguise. If you use dietary supplements without doing your research, you may be taking serious risks with your health and your career. Please visit USADA’s Supplement 411 for more information about dietary supplements.