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DOPING CONTROL AND TESTING

Anti-Doping Rule Violations and Sanctions

The World Anti-Doping Code outlines several anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) that can result in sanctions for athletes who are found to have committed them. Here are the most common ADRVs and their associated sanctions:

  1. Presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in an athlete's sample. This is often the result of a positive doping test. Sanctions for this violation can range from a warning to a four-year ban from competition, depending on the substance involved and other factors.

  2. Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method. This ADRV occurs when an athlete is found to have used a prohibited substance or method, or attempted to use one, in violation of anti-doping rules. Sanctions for this violation can range from a warning to a four-year ban from competition.

  3. Refusing to submit to doping control. This ADRV occurs when an athlete fails to comply with doping control procedures, such as failing to provide a sample for testing. Sanctions for this violation can range from a warning to a four-year ban from competition.

  4. Tampering or attempting to tamper with any part of doping control. This ADRV occurs when an athlete attempts to alter or manipulate their sample or doping control process in order to avoid detection of prohibited substances or methods. Sanctions for this violation can range from a warning to a four-year ban from competition.

  5. Possession of a prohibited substance or method. This ADRV occurs when an athlete is found to be in possession of a prohibited substance or method, regardless of whether they have used it or attempted to use it. Sanctions for this violation can range from a warning to a four-year ban from competition.

  6. Trafficking or attempted trafficking of a prohibited substance or method. This ADRV occurs when an athlete is involved in the distribution, sale, or provision of a prohibited substance or method. Sanctions for this violation can range from a two-year ban to a lifetime ban from competition.

  7. Administration or attempted administration of a prohibited substance or method to an athlete. This ADRV occurs when an athlete is given a prohibited substance or method by another person, such as a coach or medical practitioner. Sanctions for this violation can range from a two-year ban to a lifetime ban from competition.

  8. Complicity: This ADRV occurs when a person is found to have assisted, encouraged, or covered up a doping violation by another person. Sanctions for this violation can range from a warning to a four-year ban from involvement in any capacity in sports organizations.

  9. Prohibited Association: This ADRV occurs when an athlete associates with a person who has been sanctioned for a doping violation, such as a coach or medical practitioner. Sanctions for this violation can range from a warning to a four-year ban from competition.

  10. Tampering with Doping Control: This ADRV occurs when a person attempts to tamper with the doping control process, such as tampering with a sample or intimidating a potential witness. Sanctions for this violation can range from a two-year ban to a lifetime ban from involvement in any capacity in sports organizations.

  11. Possession of Prohibited Substances or Methods by Athlete Support Personnel: This ADRV occurs when athlete support personnel, such as coaches or medical practitioners, are found to be in possession of prohibited substances or methods. Sanctions for this violation can range from a warning to a four-year ban from involvement in any capacity in sports organizations.

​The specific sanctions for each ADRV can vary depending on the circumstances of the case, such as the athlete's level of fault, whether the violation was intentional or unintentional, and the athlete's cooperation with the anti-doping authorities. Sanctions can include a period of ineligibility from the competition, disqualification of results, loss of medals and prizes, and fines.

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