Doping is banned for 3 major reasons: it is dangerous for the health, it is against the spirit of sport and it unfairly enhances performance.

The athlete is always responsible for what is found in his or her body, even if a banned substance was used by accident, or if somebody else provided the substance saying it is safe. This is referred to as the principle of strict liability. If an athlete is not 100% sure of the ingredients or not sure of the status of a substance – they should not take it before checking the Prohibited List, or asking their International Federation (IF) or National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO).

Only an accredited doping control officer is allowed to proceed with the doping control process. They have to prove that they are a doping control officer and that an anti-doping organization has commissioned them to conduct a doping control.

There is a list of all the substances and methods which are prohibited. Using any of these substances or methods is called doping. Doping is prohibited and sanctioned. A sanction can go from a reprimand all the way to never being allowed to compete in your sport again.

The physician should check if the medicine contains a prohibited substance. If it does, and if there is no other treatment possible, then the athlete has to ask for a Therapeutic Use Exemption with the documents justifying the treatment. Physicians do not always know about this process, so it is important you tell your physician that you are an athlete and that certain anti-doping rules apply to you.

Sanctions may include disqualification of results, ban from competing in all sports, financial sanctions, and mandatory publication of your anti-doping rule violation, all depending on the severity of the offence.

Whenever you wish or need to use a substance, make sure you check the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. If you are not sure, show the List to the pharmacist or the doctor and ask them. You can find the List on the WADA Website or on the Website of your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) or your International Federation (IF). You can also contact the NADO or the IF and ask them.

The supplement industry is not regulated and therefore you cannot be certain what substances/ingredients are in a supplement. Using supplements is always at your own risk. If the claims on the packaging sound too good to be true – it probably contains a substance prohibited in sport!

An athlete can have someone, such as a parent, a coach, team official or physician, accompany him/her to the doping control station, if he/she wants. All minor athletes should have someone with them in the doping control station. If no one can accompany the athlete, the Doping Control Officer may choose someone to accompany him/her. An athlete can also have a language aid or interpreter if necessary and available.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), athletes and athlete support personnel alike may be sanctioned for an anti-doping rule violation. Athlete support personnel is defined as any coach, trainer, manager, agent, team staff, official, medical or para-medical personnel working with or treating athletes participating in or preparing for sports competition.

Anti-doping rules apply to all athletes, in all sports and all countries. Therefore, any athlete could potentially be tested.

Doping can have many side effects. One of the possible side effects is to have an impact on your growth and your physical development. All the other side effects mentioned in the possible responses are also true. Doping substances are banned in part because they can have severe negative health consequences.

Athletes cannot refuse to submit to doping control. A refusal can carry the same sanction as a positive test – for example a potential ban from all sport. That is because athletes who are doping could simply refuse to be tested and never be caught and never sanctioned.

International Federations (IFs), National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations (RADOs) National Olympic Committees and National Federations can provide athletes w ith information on all aspects of doping control, including answering questions about the Prohibited List, submitting Whereabouts and applying for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs). The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is also a source of information.

When you have been selected for doping control, a Doping Control Officer will come to see you. You will go with him/her to the Doping Control Station. There will be a bit of paperwork to do, you will choose a kit to collect your sample (a box with 2 bottles and a cup). Then you w ill go to a bathroom and pee into a cup in front of someone the same gender as you (to make sure the pee is yours). In some cases you could be asked to provide a blood sample. You will then go back to the Doping Control Station, fill the bottles you picked and seal them. A bit more paperwork, and you are done! Easy as 1-2-3!