Doping Information

USA Track & Field is contacting all athletes registered for the WMA World Championships being held in Puerto Rico this summer to inform you that this event WILL be drug tested, and to provide you with information regarding International Association of Federations (IAAF) drug testing rules and medical exemption procedures. Please note that there have been significant changes in the IAAF drug testing rules since the last World Championships in 2001. Therefore, it is important that athletes are familiar with any substances that may be prohibited prior to and during competition. The IAAF's list of prohibited substances is found in the "IAAF's Procedural Guidelines for Doping Control," which may be obtained on the IAAF website.

Doping is a "no fault" offense. The offense of doping takes place when a prohibited substance is present within an athlete's body tissue or fluids. (IAAF Rule 55.2 (i)).

"It is an athlete's duty to ensure that no substance enters his or her body tissues or fluids which is prohibited . . . . Athletes are warned that they are responsible for all and any substance present in their body." (IAAF Rule 55.4).

Please note that the IAAF has made the following significant changes to its drug testing policy and procedures:

New Procedures For Asthma Medications: The old procedure for obtaining a medical exemption for the use of Beta 2 Agonists to treat asthma or exercise induced asthma has changed. A doctor's simple diagnosis is no longer sufficient by itself, clinical and laboratory evidence must also be provided. An application for such an exemption to the IAAF must be supported by (a) a documented medical history supporting the need for such medication, and (b) a report from a spirometry evaluation. (The latter requires lung function testing, with special equipment, in a laboratory.) The IAAF may submit the athlete's information to a medical panel for review. The athlete may also be subject to further testing.

Declaration of Corticosteroid Treatments: To avoid being charged with a doping offense, an athlete who has received corticosteroids by inhalation or injection, must have declared this fact on his or her doping control form at the time of drug testing.

EPO Blood and Urine Testing: The presence of three identifiable EPO parameters in the blood, above threshold levels, and a positive finding of EPO in the urine constitutes a doping violation, as stated in Schedule 1, Part I, (d) of the IAAF List of Prohibited Substances. The three blood markers are Hemoglobin, Hematocrite, and Reticulocytes. Middle and long distance events - any distance above 400m - are subject to EPO testing. EPO testing typically takes place the day prior to the event.

Attention Deficit Disorder - Amphetamines: The IAAF does not grant exemptions for the use of ADD medications that contain prohibited substances, namely amphetamines. The IAAF accepts that such prescribed medications are used, provided that they are administered under close medical supervision and pursuant to a schedule designed to ensure that an athlete does not compete with amphetamines present in his or her body.

In addition to the medications discussed above, some prohibited substances may be taken by athletes if, prior to such use, a medical exemption is obtained from the IAAF. Even if an athlete has been prescribed a prohibited substance, s/he may not be eligible for a medical exemption. The procedures for applying for an IAAF medical exemption are: (1) Obtaining a treating physician's written prescription for the use of a prohibited substance; (2) Obtaining a letter from the treating physician describing why a prohibited substance has been prescribed rather than a non prohibited substance; (3) obtaining any necessary laboratory tests; and (4) forwarding the information, with any other supporting medical, clinical or laboratory documentation to the IAAF at the following address: Dr. Gabriel Doll, IAAF, BP 359 MC 98000, Monaco Cedex or by facsimile to (011) 377 93 50 83 95. Please note that submitting the application for a medical exemption is no guarantee of acceptance. Thus, until you are notified of acceptance in writing, do not assume that the exemption has been granted. Once granted, the exemption must be renewed annually. Furthermore, an athlete should not rely on a medical notification form filed with the United States Anti Doping Agency, as the IAAF may not honor the form.

Please note that many over the counter cold and allergy medications and nutritional supplements and/or vitamins may contain prohibited substances ephedrine, pseudo ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine. Therefore, you should avoid these substances during competition. Also, doctor's prescriptions for prohibited substances are not permissible, unless a medical exemption has been granted by the IAAF in advance of the athlete taking the medication.

Athletes should also be aware that there may be variations in the formula of branded items from one country to another and differing brand names for similar products. Therefore, it is the athlete's responsibility to be sure that s/he is not taking a prohibited substance prior to or during any competition. For any additional information or clarification, please contact the IAAF at (011) 377 93 10 88 88 or anti-doping@iaaf.org. You can also contact Jill Pilgrim at (317) 261-0500 ext. 341 or Melissa Beasley at (317) 261-0500 ext. 335 at the National Headquarters.