What's in this issue:
Chief Executive message
Every now and then the question gets asked 'why not let athletes dope?'. Let's look at the real reason for doping in sport being prohibited.
Doping has been around as long as competitive sport. However in modern history the true catalyst for the prevention of doping in sport was the deaths of athletes resulting directly from doping. You might find the World Anti-Doping Agency's brief history of doping in sport interesting.
So one thing is for sure - before anti-doping programs were introduced, the lives of athletes were not only at risk, but on occasion, were sacrificed for a win.
Athletes who dope are cheating. It's the same as marathon runners hopping into a golf cart for part of their race. When athletes who are doping compete against athletes who are competing clean, they rob the true athletes of what is rightfully their moment. They rob the real winner of their opportunity to reach their true potential, achieve their deserved success and personal glory that results.
When a cheat subsequently has their medals seized, consequently the true winner stands in a city office and is presented with their medal. There is no way of replacing the moment that the real winner misses. There is no way of the real winner ever getting what was rightfully theirs - the moment of glory.
Just like we all expect athletes to run between the white lines, compete within the rules of their sport, and accept the decisions of the officials, athletes are expected to play by the anti-doping rules and let the real winners enjoy their success.
Richard Ings
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Important changes to the TUE process
A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) grants an athlete permission to use, for therapeutic purposes, a substance or method that is prohibited. The TUE process changed on 1 January to harmonise TUEs across sports and countries. Key changes include:
- abbreviated TUEs abolished
- retroactive TUEs now available for some athlete types.
The abbreviated TUE process has been eliminated, however all abbreviated TUEs delivered before 31 December 2008 will remain valid after 1 January 2009 onwards until the earliest of:
> the date on which they are cancelled by the competent TUE committee following review in accordance with article 8.6 of the 2005 TUE Standard
> the expiry date on the ATUE, or
> 31 December 2009.
The following table is a snapshot to help you figure out when you need to get a TUE. If in doubt, ask your sport medical officer, or contact the Australian Sports Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) www.asdmac.gov.au
Therapeutic Use Exemptions for athlete types
| Athlete type |
Is a TUE required for a prohibited substance? |
TUE for inhaled Beta-2 agonists (formoterol, salmeterol, salbutamol, terbutaline) |
Non-Systemic Glucocorticosteroids
(eg: inhaled or local injection) |
International Federation Registered testing pool |
YES
Apply to International Federation |
In-advance TUE |
Required to declare on doping control form when tested # |
ASADA Registered Testing Pool* |
YES
Apply direct to ASDMAC
|
In-advance TUE |
Required to declare on doping control form when tested |
ASADA Domestic Test Pool and Professional Sports* |
YES
Apply direct to ASDMAC
|
Retroactive TUE^ |
Required to declaire on doping control form when tested |
All other athletes* |
YES
Apply direct to ASDMAC |
Retroactive TUE^ |
Required to declare on doping control form when tested |
* if competing internationally, check TUE requirements with the relevant International Federation
^ in-advance TUE can be applied for (if athlete wishes)
# declare on ADAMS where possible (some International Federations require a declaration form)
If you need clarification on your athlete type, please contact your national sporting organisation.
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Beta-2 agonists (asthma) TUEs
ASDMAC is now able to process TUEs for inhaled Beta-2 agonists, and can grant in-advance or retroactive TUEs depending on athlete type.
A medical file is required if you are an RTP athlete who requires an in-advance TUE for Beta-2 agonists. A medical file is also required if you are an athlete who has been asked to apply for a retroactive TUE if Beta-2 agonists are detected upon testing.
Suggested medical file requirements for a Beta-2 agonist TUE include:
- history - age of onset, symptoms, trigger factors, associated allergic or atopic conditions, history of hospitalisation, (including accident and emergency) current and previous medications, previous requirements for oral glucocorticosteriods and/or relevant family history
- examination – a clinical examination with particular reference to respiratory system
- previous investigations – relevant tests including skin prick, Radio Allergo Sorbent Testing (RAST), spirometry and previous bronchial provocation tests regardless of age
- current evidence of asthma – must include either reversible airway obstruction or bronchial provocation tests.
For more information visit www.asdmac.gov.au
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Athlete Whereabouts - Regular Schedule
Athletes who are in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) need to provide ASADA with information about where they will be so they can be located for out-of-competition testing.
This testing can happen with no-advance-notice and is a requirement for RTP athletes under the World Anti-Doping Code, the National Anti-Doping (NAD) Scheme, International Standard for Testing (IST) and the ASADA Athlete Whereabouts Policy.
If you are an RTP athlete it is important that you correctly provide whereabouts information because failing to do so can lead to anti-doping rule violations and sanctions.
In the past, athletes were only required to nominate one hour at one location per day.
Since 1 January 2009, under the updated Code, athletes are now required to:
- nominate one hour at one location per day, and
- provide a schedule of their regular activities.
The regular schedule of activities (the Regular Schedule Form) should include, for example, the times and locations of your regular activities – whether it is information about training, work, competing or conducting other regular activities during the day. If you are not currently competing you should include any other routine activities and the relevant times and locations. Below is an example of a compliant and non-compliant response.
Regular training venues
|
Example |
Training venue #1 |
Usual time available |
 |
Compliant |
Civic Pool, Cnr Allara St & Constitution Ave
Canberra City, ACT 2601 |
Mon, Wed and Fri
8am to 10 am |
 |
Non-compliant |
Sometimes I run down Smith Street |
N/A |
Whereabouts filing - due dates
It is compulsory that you submit your Regular Schedule Form every quarter along with your nominated one hour. Submission of a Regular Schedule Form is now part of your compliance for each quarter. The next due date is Friday 11 September 2009.
| Due dates |
Whereabouts period |
Quarter |
Friday 11 September 2009 |
1 October to 31 December 2009 |
Q2 2009-10 |
How to provide regular schedule information
ASADA is developing the Athlete Whereabouts Online System (AWOS) application to allow you to submit your regular schedule online. Until this is completed, download the Regular Schedule Form from ASADA’s website at www.asada.gov.au and send the form to ASADA by:
- email to athlete.whereabouts@asada.gov.au
- fax to (02) 6222 4210 (+612 6222 4210 international)
- post, addressed to ASADA Whereabouts, PO Box 339, Curtin ACT 2605.
How ASADA uses your whereabouts information
The revised Code and IST means that athletes are to be available for testing anywhere at any time. In line with this, ASADA conducts out-of-competition testing based on information that you provide via AWOS and the Regular Schedule Form.
ASADA now uses the regular schedule and other intelligence to test athletes without advance notice and outside their nominated one hour timeslot.
New ASADA Athlete Whereabouts policy
ASADA have an amended Athlete Whereabouts policy document that clarifies a number of administrative processes. This policy is effective from 1 July 2009 and can be viewed in full at www.asada.gov.au.
Changes include:
- when an athlete with an intellectual disability is included in the ASADA RTP, ASADA will notify a support person of that athlete’s inclusion and obligations.
- definition of fraudulent information. If information provided in a whereabouts filing is knowingly false or intended to deceive ASADA about an RTP athlete’s whereabouts the athlete may be in breach of their obligations.
- requiring that no phone call can be made to an athlete who is not at their specified one hour location (inline with the World Anti-Doping Code).
- as soon as an athlete receives notification of a missed test they are then subject to possible further missed tests, which may result in a Whereabouts Failure. ASADA is not restricted in attempting further tests at any time.
This makes it crucial that the one hour location is updated regularly by the athlete or their authorised representative, via the athlete whereabouts online system, phone call or fax and that the location listed allows the athlete to be located by an ASADA DCO.
The requirements for athletes regarding the submission of accurate and current whereabouts information have not changed.
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Specific Gravity
As part of the sample collection process (also known as doping control or drug testing), and in line with the International Standards for Testing (IST), a Doping Control Officer (DCO) will measure the specific gravity of an athlete’s urine sample to ensure its suitability for analysis.
Specific gravity refers to the concentration of the sample and is used to identify how diluted the sample is. If the sample has a low specific gravity, < 1.005 (that is, it is too diluted), the athlete will be asked to provide additional samples. Athletes must continue to provide samples until:
- a sample is provided that meets specific gravity requirements, or
- the DCO determines that it is not possible to continue the session due to exceptional circumstances. There may be situations when it is not possible for logistical reasons to continue a session, such as:
- venue closure
- time restraints
- lack of equipment.
To reduce the possibility of having to provide numerous samples, which takes more time and can be an inconvenience, athletes are encouraged to avoid over-hydrating; this can happen if you drink too much fluid.
Athletes who ignore advice and continue to drink large amounts of water and produce numerous samples may incur an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
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Criteria for inclusion on the Prohibited List
On 1 January each year a new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List, outlining the substances and methods that are prohibited in sport, comes into effect. A substance or method will be included on the Prohibited List when it meets any two of the following criteria:
- medical or other scientific evidence, pharmacological effect or experience that the substance or method, alone or in combination with other substances or methods, has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance
- medical or other scientific evidence, pharmacological effort or experience that the use of the substance or method represents an actual or potential health risk to an athlete
- WADA’s determination that use of the substance or method violates the spirit of sport described in the Code.
A substance or method will also be included on the Prohibited List if WADA determines there is medical or scientific evidence, pharmacological effect or experience that the substance or method has the potential to mask the use of other prohibited substances or prohibited methods.
WADA has recently requested input in the process of putting together the list for 2010.
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In-competition vs out-of-competition testing
The World Anti-Doping Code defines competition as a single race, match, game or singular athletic contest. The Code’s definition of in-competition and out-of-competition is as follows:
In-competition: the period commencing 12 hours before a competition in which the athlete is scheduled to participate through the end of such competition and the sample collection process related to such competition.
Out-of-competition: any doping control which is not in-competition.
Important: athletes must check their sport policy to understand their sport’s definition of in-competition.
2009 Prohibited substances and methods
|
Prohibited at all times |
Prohibited in-competition only |
| Substances |
S1. Anabolic agents
S2. Hormonces and related substances
S3. Beta-2 agonists
S4. Hormone antagonists and modulators
S5. Diuretics and other masking agents
|
S6. Stimulants
S7. Narcotics
S8. Cannabinoids
S9. Glucocorticosteroids
P1. Alcohol*
P2. Beta-blockers* |
| Methods |
M1. Enhancement of oxygen transfer
M2. Chemical and physical manipulation
M3. Gene doping |
|
*in particular sports
Athlete samples are analysed to detect Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods identified on the Prohibited List above. Other substances may also be analysed if WADA wishes to monitor the substances in order to detect patterns of misuse in sport or to assist an Anti-Doping Organisation in profiling for anti-doping purposes.
In addition, there are substances prohibited in-competition in particular sports. For example, motorcycling and power boating are examples of sports where alcohol (ethanol), and beta-blockers – often used to slow the heart rate or lower blood pressure – are prohibited in-competition only.
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Check your substances online
COMING SOON TO www.asada.gov.au
You will soon be able to check the status of medications and substances online at the ASADA website.
Using the new online tool, you will be able to anonymously and immediately determine if a substance or medication is permitted or prohibited in sport. And the best bit - you'll be able to do it anytime from anywhere in the world.
Keep an eye on www.asada.gov.au
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Education solutions
ASADA's flexible and targeted anti-doping education program provides Australian athletes and support personnel with opportunities to:
- enhance awareness of their rights and responsibilities,
- engage in activities designed to influence behaviour and perceptions, and deter the use of prohibited doping practices.
Solutions include:
- athletes' workshops
- coaches' workshops
- seminars
- tailored education: for athletes and support personnel
- athlete outreach: for elite and sub-elite level junior athletes and support personnel
- trade stands.
For further information and details on what's coming please visit www.asada.gov.au/pure/ or phone 13 000 ASADA (13 000 27232).
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ASADA stakeholder survey
Thank you to everyone who participated in ASADA's 2009 stakeholder survey. Your responses will be used to improve education programs, information products and services, and communication with you.
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Sample collection and minors
From time to time ASADA need to test athletes who are minors (under the age of 18). ASADA strongly encourages athletes under the age of 18 to be accompanied by a representative throughout the entire sample collection session.
The minor’s representatives may only directly witness sample provision if requested by the minor.
If a minor does not have a representative present in the toilet area a second ASADA official will observe the sample collection process without directly observing the sample provision.
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