Pre-Competition Anti-Doping Checklist for Athletes

Preparing for competition is a demanding process, but it’s important to remember the anti-doping requirements that go along with high-level sporting events. We created a brief list of anti-doping responsibilities to help athletes prepare to compete clean:

1. Update Whereabouts Information (if required)

If you are part of a USADA Testing Pool, make sure your Whereabouts information is accurate and up to date.

• Login to Athlete Connect at AthleteConnect.USADA.org 
• If an athlete cannot access Athlete Connect for updating, they may update their Whereabouts using the following options:
  • Phone: Text updates to (719) 204-5072
    • This line can only receive text messages, and voicemails left to this number will not be received nor monitored
  • Email: Send an email with updates to Update@USADA.org

Tip: Don’t forget to include your travel days in your Whereabouts submission.

2. Double Check Medications

Check the status of all medications before competition.

• Use Global DRO on any personal device: GlobalDRO.com
  • Don’t forget there are substances and methods that are prohibited in-competition.
    • The standard definition for “in-competition” is the period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a competition in which the athlete is scheduled to participate, through the end of the competition and the sample collection process related to the competition.
    • Even if an athlete used a substance or method prohibited only in-competition, but used it out-of-competition, it could still be evident in their sample during the in-competition period. Athletes are strictly liable for what is found in their sample at the time of the test, regardless of their intent.

Hint: You can search for the brand name and the active ingredients in your medication.

• Remember: There are commonly used medications and substances that are prohibited in-competition, such as:
  • Pseudoephedrine, commonly found in cold medications
  • Glucocorticoids (e.g., cortisone), depending on the route of administration
  • Stimulant medications (e.g., some ADHD medications)
  • Narcotics (e.g., oxycodone)
  • Cannibinoids (including arijuana and synthetic cannabinoids)

3. Understand Supplement Risks

Dietary supplements are a leading cause of positive tests due to post-market regulation, which increases the risk of contamination and/or undisclosed ingredients.

• Supplements may contain prohibited substances not listed on the label, including prohibited steroids or stimulants.
• Athletes are strictly liable for anything in their body, regardless of their intent and how a substance got there.

Before using supplements:

• Review Supplement Connect and the High Risk List.
• Carefully weigh the risks versus the benefits. If using supplements is a choice an athlete makes, they should refer to the third-party certification and other guidance in Supplement Connect to reduce their risk.
• Tip: The only way to elminate supplement risk it to avoid them entirely.

4. Request a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if Needed

• Submit a TUE Pre-Check Form.
• Apply for (or renew) a TUE.
• Additional reminders:
  • Requirements differ for national and international-level athletes.
  • USADA can forward TUE applications to International Federations (IFs) when applicable.
  • A TUE is required for intravenous infusions and/or injections of more than 100 mL per 12-hour period (unless received during hospital treatment, surgery, or diagnostic procedures), regardless of the substance.
  • If your medication is prohibited, apply for a TUE as far in advance as possible, keeping in mind that it can take up to 30 days for a decision to be issued.
• You need a TUE for intravenous infusions and/or injections of more than 100 mL per 12-hour period, except for those legitimately received in the course of hospital treatment, surgical procedures, or clinical diagnostic investigations. This applies regardless of whether the substance administered is prohibited or permitted.

Bonus FAQ: Before an event, should I stop taking medications prohibited in-competition only?

*Information in this post has been updated to reflect the most current Prohibited List.

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More questions?

For questions about specific products, substances, and methods, contact USADA’s Drug Reference Line at DrugReference@USADA.org or call (719) 785-2000, option 2.