ANTI-DOPING FAQ
WUCG 2004 The WUGC 2004 in Turku, Finland will be used as a 'test run' of the WFDF anti-doping rules. This means that there will be testing but no sanctions for positive tests. A summary of the results will be published but the identities of those tested will not be revealed. When reading the FAQ’s below, this should be kept in mind.
1. What is doping? Doping is defined as the use by a player of prohibited substances or methods in order to enhance his/her sport performance. The use of such prohibited substances or methods may improve the sport performance, but may also be detrimental to the player’s health. Doping is against “the spirit of the game” in flying disc sports. 2. Why is doping prohibited? Doping is prohibited because it is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport. No player should gain an unfair advantage over other players by using an unethical substance or method. The use of drugs may also be extremely dangerous to the health of players. 3. What is the WFDF Prohibited List? The WFDF List of Prohibited Substances and Methods lists the substances and methods the use of which constitutes an anti-doping violation under the WFDF Anti-Doping Rules. The list is identical, as applicable, with the World AntiDoping Agency’s (WADA, see below) prohibited list. The list specifies substances and methods, which are prohibited in- and out-ofcompetition. It also lists specified substances, which are prohibited, but the use of which may lead to reduced sanctions should the player prove that the substance was not used in order to enhance sport performance. 4. What types of tests does WFDF conduct In accordance with the WFDF Anti-Doping Rules, WFDF may conduct both inand out-of-competitions testing in connection with an event organized by WFDF or some other international event organizer (such as the GAISF). Currently WFDF is concentrating in in-competition testing, namely testing at the WUCG and WUCC. It should be noted that after WFDF and the national associations in each country have accepted to be bound by the anti-doping regulations, also other bodies such as the national anti-doping agencies may conduct testing on players.
5. What happens if a player refuses to participate in doping control? Effective doping control requires the cooperation and participation of all players. Under the WFDF Anti-Doping Rules refusal to participate in doping controls organized in accordance with the Rules, constitutes an anti-doping violation and may lead to such consequences as disqualification and imposition of ineligibility. 6. Will the player be informed of his/her test results? Players are not informed of negative test results. If a problematic finding is discovered, the player will be contacted directly by WFDF or his/her national association. 7. What is a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) and how does a player get it? The WFDF List of Prohibited Substances and Methods contains also substances that may be used to treat various medical conditions. Players with such medical conditions should apply for a TUE at least 21 calendar days prior to participating in any events in which the WFDF Anti-Doping Rules apply (e.g. WUGC and WUCC) by submitting a TUE application form (completed by the player’s prescribing physician, see link for TUE, Standard Application Form) to his/her national association or other body designated by the national association, such as a national anti-doping organization or the WFDF TUE Panel. A player who tests positive for a prohibited substance or method but who has obtained a TUE for that prohibited substance or method will not have committed a violation of the WFDF Anti-Doping Rules. It should be noted, however, that many medications, which contain prohibited substances have alternatives, which do not contain prohibited substances. Each player should, therefore, contact his/her physician as early as possible prior to participation in events to discuss the need for TUE and the possible alternative medications available. Players should carry the TUE decisions granted to them with them at all times and present such decisions at testing. 8. Does asthma medication require a TUE? Certain medications containing prohibited substances used to treat asthma and similar conditions are subject to an abbreviated TUE process. Currently such substances include Beta-2 agonists (formoterol, salbutamol, salmeterol and terbutaline) by inhalation and glucocorticosteroids by non-systemic routes. In order to obtain a TUE for the above substance a player should provide to the relevant TUE body (see question 7 above) a medical notification (completed by the player’s prescribing physician, (see link for TUE, Abbreviated Application Form) justifying the use of the medication, i.e. the player only needs to notify of his/her need to use the medication and does not need to apply for a TUE.
9. What is WADA and the World Anti-Doping Code? WADA is the World Anti-Doping Agency headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Comprehensive and up-to-date information on WADA and its activities can be found at the WADA website www.wada-ama.org. WADA was set- up as a foundation in late 1999 from an initiative of the International Olympic Committee with the support and participation of intergovernmental organizations, governments, public authorities and other public and private bodies also fighting against doping in sport. Its mission is to promote and coordinate at international level the fight against doping in sport. WADA’s task is to lay down common, effective, minimum standards compatible with internationally recognized quality standards for doping controls, especially with regard to out-of-competition controls. The World Anti-Doping Code is the basic document in the World Anti-Doping Program. The Program is structured in three levels and includes the World Code (level 1), International Standards (level 2) and Models of Best Practice (level 3). The WADA Code is the first document to harmonize regulations regarding antidoping across all sports and all countries of the world. The Code is a core document that will provide a framework for anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organizations and among public authorities. 10. Testing for Cannabis/Cannabinoids There have been some questions regarding the testing for cannabis or cannabinoids. This substance will be screened, on a test-run basis, at WUGC Turku, Finland. WFDF does not condone the use of cannabinoids. Moreover, the use of cannabis is illegal in Finland as it is in most countries. If an individual tests positive for cannabinoids, his or her results will not be disqualified as provided in WFDF's anti-doping rules, but the individual player and/or his or her member association will be notified of the result. WFDF will publish the results of the testing so that the member federations will be able to review the data. The published results will not contain personal information or identify players. 11. Is alcohol a prohibited substance? No. Alcohol is a prohibited substance in some sports (e.g. aeronautics, billiards, motor sports etc), but not in flying disc sports.