ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR ATHLETES

ATHLETE DOPING CONTROL

(For the applicable rules and regulations, please scroll down to the bottom of this page)

Drug abuse in sport not only contravenes the spirit of fair competition, it can also be dangerous to your health. All FEI athletes are subject to testing (in- and out-of-competition) in accordance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the FEI’s anti-doping rules, and must comply with any request for testing by any anti-doping organization with testing jurisdiction.

WADA publishes and maintains the Prohibited List of Substances and Methods prohibited in-competition, out-of-competition, and in specific sports. Substances and Methods are classified by categories (e.g. steroids, stimulants, gene doping). This list is updated annually. Athletes need to familiarise themselves with the Prohibited List  and systematically ask their medical practitioners to verify that no medication, supplement or treatment they are taking (prescribed or not) involves Prohibited Substances or Methods.

The Prohibited List can be found in the Download Centre section of this page.

Who can be tested in Equestrian sport, and how?
Any Athlete can be subject to Testing. Testing can take place in-competition (at Event venues, during the period of an Event) or out-of-competition (at home, at training venues, etc). Athlete selection can be random, based on established criteria (ie: final placement), or targeted. Following notification in person by a Doping Control Officer, the Athlete will be chaperoned at all times until completion of the sampling process. Although blood sampling is a testing option, the Athlete will in most cases only need to provide a urine sample, which will be received anonymously by the analyzing laboratory. If the Athlete needs some time to be ready to produce the sample, he/she will remain chaperoned during this time, and a selection of sealed beverages including water will always be provided (the Athlete should not drink from open containers).

How does sampling take place?
WADA's Doping Control video shows clearly the sequence of a sampling session. This video is short and its purely visual information, without commentary, makes it easy to understand for anyone.

As an athlete, how can I avoid testing positive for a Prohibited Substance if I am taking medication prescribed by my doctor?
1-  make sure that you are always updated on the latest version of the Prohibited List which is reviewed annually by the World Anti-Doping Agency, as your medication may not necessarily be prohibited.

2 - if your medication is prohibited, you may apply to the FEI for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) with support from your doctor. Click here for information on TUE applications on the FEI website.

3 - if you are purchasing over-the-counter medication, consult your national anti-doping agency or show the WADA Prohibited List currently in force to the pharmacist to be sure that the medication does not contain anything prohibited.

Lastly, if your doctor writes you a prescription, remind the doctor that you are an Athlete subject to anti-doping regulations. If the doctor has any doubt about whether the prescription would violate the rules, ensure that he consults with your national anti-doping agency (NADO) for clarification. A NADOS address list can be found by clicking here.
You should also exercise great caution if you take medication purchased while travelling.

Learn more on Athletes and Medications with “WADA's Q&A on Athletes and Medications” .

What about dietary supplements? Can an athlete test positive from using dietary/nutritional supplements?
Extreme caution is recommended regarding supplement use. 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. A significant number of positive tests have been attributed to the misuse of supplements and taking a poorly labeled dietary supplement is not an adequate defense in an anti-doping hearing.

Learn more on dietary supplements with “WADA's Q&A on dietary supplements” .

What if the only medication to treat my medical condition contains a prohibited substance?
All FEI registered Athletes who need to take medication which is on WADA’s Prohibited List must submit a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) application to the FEI to allow them to take the medication they need while continuing to compete. The TUE application is submitted to the FEI Medical Committee Members, who consider the application and decide whether or not to approve it. If it is approved, it is sent to the National Federation which forwards it to the athlete and maintains a copy on file.
 

Athletes selected for doping control are required to declare the use of all prescribed and over-the-counter medications and supplements taken in the last 7 days on the doping control form.

TUE applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to competition. The initiative of renewal of a granted TUE is under the athlete’s responsibility. TUE applications are sent by the Athlete to his National Federation, who will in turn forward it to the FEI for process.

Click here for TUE application forms on the FEI website.
Learn more about TUE with “WADA's Q&A on TUE”.

What is a the FEI Registered Testing Pool (RTP)?
A pool of top level athletes established separately and subject to both in-competition and out-of-competition testing as part of the FEI’s test distribution plan. These athletes are compelled to submitting accurate information on their whereabouts through the ADAMS system. The FEI’s RTP list is published on the FEI’s website.

Click here to consult the FEI’s Registered Testing Pool list. 

DOWNLOAD CENTRE

WADA's website Athletes pages 
WADA's Athlete Guide (latest version)
WADA's Doping Control video
NADOS address list
Your questions answered: WADA's Q&As page link
TUE applications on the FEI website
The FEI’s Registered Testing Pool

Click here for access to the FEI Events Calendar (please note that it is subject to regular updates) 

RULES 

WADA's 2013 Prohibited List, effective 1 January 2013, and Summary of modifications
WADA Code 2009
WADA's Standards (other than the Prohibited List)
FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) based on the 2009 revised Code, 1 January 2011, updated 1 January 2013
FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes  (ADRHA) based on the 2009 revised Code, 1 January 2011, updated 1 January 2013 (markup version to the 2012 rules)