SportAccord is strongly committed to the fight against doping in sport.
SportAccord is a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code and has its own Anti-Doping Rules.
If you are interested to know more about Anti-Doping and have access to all the relevant documents (Code, International Standards, Guidelines) you can visit the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) website. WADA develops, harmonizes and coordinates anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries.
SportAccord is dedicated to complying with world Clean Sport regulations and helping to educate and inform athletes and coaches about its importance and how to effectively follow Clean Sport requirements.
The use of doping substances or doping methods to enhance performance is fundamentally wrong and is detrimental to the spirit of sport. Competing clean is a key principle in preserving the integrity and fairness of sport for the benefit of athletes, coaches and fans alike. However, it also helps to protect the image of Sports of the Event and above all Athletes’ health.
To achieve integrity and fairness in sport, a commitment to a clean field of play is critical.
SportAccord is cooperating with ITA, the Local Organizing Committee as well as with the Saudi Arabian National Anti-Doping Organization to run a comprehensive Anti-Doping program for its Multi-Sport Games that focuses equally on education/prevention and on testing, with consequent sanctioning of those who break the rules.
A full Anti-Doping program will be performed at the occasion of the SportAccord World Combat Games which will take place in Riyadh Saudi Arabia from 20th to 30th October 2023.
SportAccord will cooperate with the Saudi Arabian Anti-Doping Committee (SAADC) to stage an outreach program which will take place at the Event venue during the Games. More information about this program will be available on the Event Website and in its social media. In connection with the education program, athletes and athletes Support Personnel will have the opportunity to:
– visit the education stand and receive information on various topics (WADA Prohibited List etc.)
– complete the WADA play true quiz. The participants will also be rewarded with symbolic gifts like: balloons, balls, pens, caps, toys etc.
Therapeutic Use Exemption process
SportAccord is responsible for the management of the Therapeutic Use Exemption in connection with the Event.
Athletes may have conditions that require them to take medications. If this medications contain products that are listed in the Prohibited list the athlete must apply for a therapeutic use exemption (TUE). You will find below the complete information related to the
1. What Is A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)?
Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete is required to use to treat an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List a TUE may give that athlete the authorization to use that substance or method while competing without invoking an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and applicable sanction. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, the TUE Committee (TUEC).
2. do you need a TUE?
First, check if the required medication or method you intend to take or use is prohibited as per the WADA Prohibited List
For this, you may also use a ‘check your medication’ online like Global Drug Reference Online or consult your National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO). List of National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs)
You have a responsibility to inform your physician(s) that you are an Athlete bound to anti-doping rules. You and your physician(s) should check the Prohibited List for whatever substance/method you are prescribed. If the substance/method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives, if there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember athletes have the ultimate responsibility.
Contact ITA’s ITUEC if you have questions about the substance status (tue@ita.sport).
You must apply for a TUE, as soon as the need to use the substance or method arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances. For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition, unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs (see below) apply.
Please refer to the section “How to apply for a TUE?” section below.
If you already have a TUE granted by your National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) or International Federation (IF), your TUE will undergo the recognition process for the Period of the Games. Art 4.4.2 of the SportAccord Anti-Doping Rules, regulates the TUE Recognition as follows:
“Where the Athlete already has a TUE granted by the Athlete’s National Anti-Doping Organization or International Federation pursuant to Article 4.4 of the Code for the substance or method in question and provided that such TUE has been reported in accordance with Article 5.5 of, the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions, SportAccord will automatically recognize it for the purposes of the SportAccord Event without the need to review the clinical information.”
3. Who Should Apply for a TUE? Where and When to Apply?
SportAccord has delegated the management of TUEs to the ITA. All participants are bound to the anti-doping rules and in particular its provisions related to TUEs. Very importantly, TUEs granted in the context of the Games, are only valid for the period of Games! TUEs for chronic conditions (like ADHD or diabetes) should be processed by your NADO (National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) | World Anti-Doping Agency (wada-ama.org) in advance of the Games and will be recognized automatically for the duration of the Games. Pre-existing TUEs will follow the recognition process and there is no need to re-submit your TUE.
See chapter 4 below for more details
4. How to apply to the ITA for a TUE?
1 – Fill in the TUE Application Form, sign it and have it signed by your physician.
2 – Gather all the necessary supporting medical documentation (Resources List | World Anti-Doping Agency (wada-ama.org))
3A – Book an appointment and provide the form and the supporting through the online portal that will be opened during the appointment.
OR
3B – Submit the form and the supporting documentation directly in ADAMS, if you are familiar with the process. You can contact us at tue@ita.sport should you require support.
Your TUE application must be submitted in a legible form using capital letters or typing.
The medical file must include:
- A comprehensive medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s) (where possible),
- The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application.
To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for TUE applications for guidance and support during the TUE application process, and Medical Information to Support the Decisions of TUECs for guidance on specific common medical conditions, treatments, substances, etc.
Any costs incurred by the Athlete in making the TUE application and in supplementing it as required by the ITA’s ITUEC are the responsibility of the Athlete.
Any TUE application that is not complete or legible will not be dealt with and will be returned for completion and re-submission.
Keep a complete copy of the TUE application form and all medical information submitted in support of your application, and proof that it has been sent.
5. What are the Criteria for Granting a TUE?
All of the four following criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the article 4.2: WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE):
The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method;
The therapeutic use of the substance will not, on the balance of probabilities produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health;
The prohibited substance or method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative;
The necessity to use that substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.
6. Can I Get a Retroactive TUE?
You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to the ITA’s TUEC if:
- You required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition.
- There was insufficient time, opportunity or other exceptional circumstances that prevented you from submitting the TUE application, or having it evaluated, before getting tested.
- You are a lower level athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of SportAccord or a NADO and were tested.
- You tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition (for example glucocorticoids).
- As per our anti-doping rules, you are neither international or national level and therefore were not permitted or required to apply in advance for a TUE
In rare and exceptional circumstances and notwithstanding any other provision in the ISTUE, you may apply for and be granted retroactive approval for a therapeutic use of a prohibited substance or method, if considering the purpose of the Code, it would be manifestly unfair not to grant a retroactive TUE. An Anti-Doping Organization may grant an Athlete’s application for a retroactive TUE pursuant to this Article only with the prior approval of WADA (and WADA may in its absolute discretion agree with or reject the Anti-Doping Organization’s decision).”
This unique retroactive TUE will only be granted with the prior approval of WADA (and WADA may in its absolute discretion agree with or reject the ITA’s TUEC decision).
Important note:
Using a prohibited substance or method without a TUE could result in an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
In case an application for a retroactive TUE is necessary following sample collection, you are strongly advised to have a medical file prepared and ready to submit for evaluation.
7. How to SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION OF MY IF oR NADO TUE to THE ITA?
ITA’s TUEC will automatically recognise your TUE for purposes of the Event without the need to review the relevant clinical information. If the TUE is correctly entered in ADAMS, there is no need to contact us. Nevertheless, should you require a confirmation, you can submit your request to the ITA in writing quoting your ADAMS TUE reference number.
You can download your TUE certificate directly from ADAMS.
8. When will I receive a decision on my TUE application [OR REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION]?
The ITA’s ITUEC must render a decision as soon as possible, and usually within 21 days from the date of receipt of the complete TUE application, unless in exceptional circumstances. Nevertheless, during the Games, treatment times are on average much shorter and all efforts will be made to provide a decision before a competition takes place. Applications arriving in an untimely manner or incomplete will receive a decision retroactively. It is the athlete’s and physician’s decision and responsibility to participate in an event without a prospective TUE (examples of untimely timing: a) any chronic injury or disease. b) ongoing pain for several days, but sending an application for prohibited treatment only on the eve of a competition)
9. WHAT if I need to renew my TUE?
It advised that you contact the organization that granted the original TUE.
Each TUE has a specific duration, at the end of which it expires automatically. Should you need to continue to use the prohibited substance or method, it is your responsibility to submit a new application for a TUE with updated medical information ahead of the expiry date, so that there is sufficient time for a decision to be made prior to the expiry of the current TUE.
Important note:
The presence (following sample collection), use, possession or administration of the prohibited substance or method must be consistent with the terms of your TUE. Therefore, if you require a materially different dosage, frequency, route or duration of administration, you should contact the ITA, as you may be required to apply for a new TUE. Some substances and dosages, e.g. insulin, are often modified during treatment and these possible fluctuations should be mentioned by the treating physician in the TUE application and would usually be accepted by the ITA’s TUEC.
TUEs granted during the Games, are only valid during the period of the Games. Should you have a chronic condition, or a treatment that is needed outside this period, you should contact your NADO or IF in order to prolong or renew your TUE.
10. WHAT IF MY TUE APPLICATION IS DENIED?
A decision to deny a TUE application will include a written explanation of the reason(s) for the denial. If it is not clear to you, please contact the ITA to understand exactly why the TUE was denied. Sometimes, there may be a critical piece of information, diagnostic test, laboratory results missing, etc. In which case, you should re-apply to us.
A decision by SportAccord not to recognize or not to grant a TUE may be appealed by the Athlete exclusively to the independent TUE Appeal Committee established by SportAccord for that purpose. If the Athlete does not appeal (or the appeal is unsuccessful), the Athlete may not Use the Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method in question in connection with the Event.
However, any TUE granted by the Athlete’s National Anti-Doping Organization or International Federation for that substance or method remains valid outside of that Event.
It should be noted that WADA may review TUE decisions at any time but is not obliged to proceed with a request for a review.
The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org
11. will my medical information be treated in a confidential manner?
All the information contained in a TUE application, including the supporting medical information and any other information related to the evaluation of your TUE request is kept strictly confidential and treated in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration contained in the ADAMS TUE and in the TUE Application Form which can be found here. All members of the TUEC and any other authorized recipients of your TUE request and related information (as described in the Athlete’s Declaration) are subject to a professional or contractual confidentiality obligation.
Please review the terms of the Athlete’s Declaration carefully. In particular, note that should you wish to revoke the right of the ITA’s TUEC to obtain the information related to your TUE in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration, your TUE application will be deemed withdrawn without approval [or recognition] being granted.
Your TUE request-related information will be retained by SportAccord, ITA’s TUEC and any other authorized recipients for no longer than necessary for the purposes stated in the Athlete’s Declaration, in accordance with the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information.
12. Contact information
For any further information and questions in relation to personal information practices, please contact the ITA at privacy@ita.sport.
If you have a doubt as regards to which organization you should apply for a TUE, or as to the recognition process, or any other question about TUEs, please contact: tue@ita.sport.
13. Other useful links:
You can download the TUE form HERE.
WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Q&A on the Prohibited List
WADA Checklists for TUE Applications
WADA Guidelines for the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL)
List of National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs)
List of International Federations
Report Doping
Doping Control is an effective tool – however Anti-Doping requires other tools to be as effective as possible. The gathering of intelligence and subsequent investigations have proven to expose serious cheating and systemic schemes to defraud sport.
As an athlete or Athlete Support Personnel you may have unique insights into your sport including clear indications of doping risks or problems that may warrant investigation. The Anti-Doping system works best when you come forward with this information.
Nothing is more likely to get results for investigations than when a credible informant with hard evidence makes the decision to do what is right and assist authorities.
Do you have information you would like to share?
You can report them to a secure email address:
reportdoping@sportaccord.sport
this allows athletes, their support personnel and all others who may have information to share information regarding a possible Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
