Anti-Doping Rule Violations

The Principle of Strict Liability

In anti-doping, the principle of Strict Liability applies. This means that every athlete is solely responsible for everything they use and is found in their body – regardless of whether there was an intention to cheat or not, or if the athlete is at fault. Therefore, it is vital that athletes and Athlete Support Personnel know the rules and understand their responsibilities under the Code.

Athletes must know and understand the Prohibited List and with the risks associated with supplement use. More information on the Prohibited List, medications and supplements is available in the Prohibited List, Medications & Supplements section.

Anti-Doping Rule Violations

Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) in line with Code Art. 2 (Anti-Doping Rule Violations):

1. Presence of a prohibited substance in an Athlete’s sample
2. Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method
3. Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection
4. Failure to file Athlete Whereabouts information & missed tests
5. Tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control
6. Possession of a prohibited substance or method
7. Trafficking or attempted trafficking a prohibited substance or method
8. Administration or attempted administration of a prohibited substance or method to an Athlete
9. Complicity or attempted complicity
10. Prohibited association with sanctioned Athlete Support Personnel
11. Acts by an athlete or other person to discourage or retaliate against reporting to authorities

The first four Anti-Doping Rule Violations apply only to athletes because they can only be committed in relation to testing.

The remaining seven Anti-Doping Rules apply to both the athletes and the Athlete Support Personnel including coaches, medical professionals, or anyone else working with the athlete or involved in anti-doping activities. National and International Federation administrators, officials and sample collection staff may also be liable for their conduct under the World Anti-Doping Code.