Anti-Doping 101 | Athlete Responsibilities in Clean 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.