If a prohibited substance is found in your system during competition, you may face a disciplinary procedure. You are responsible (‘strictly liable’) for anything you put into your body through whatever means, regardless of how it got there or whether there was any intention to cheat.

It is your responsibility to check the anti-doping status of substances before using them:

• Tell all medical personnel that you need to abide by the anti-doping rules and must not take prohibited substances unless there are no permitted alternatives
• Check all medications against the current WADA Prohibited List before taking them. Be aware that any medication, whether prescribed by a doctor, bought directly from a pharmacy, or even given to you by a coach or other person, may contain prohibited substances

• If your medication does not show up on the WADA list, try searching the Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO) , which is a useful tool for checking medications online (try either ‘Australia’ or ‘New Zealand’ for the nation of purchase)
• If you are unable to find the medication you are looking for, please email anti-doping@nsc.gov.sb with the name medication and list of active ingredients to confirm if the medication is okay to take
• If you do need to take a prohibited substance to treat a medical condition, you will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption.
• If you wish to take a supplement, in line with “strict liability”, please check that what you wish to use does not contain any banned substance here

As we collect personal private information about athletes, please see our privacy policy about how we manage this process to ensure confidentiality.

As an athlete, you may have an illness or medical condition that requires a particular medication. If this medication contains a substance or requires an administration method that is on the Prohibited List, you may apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

A TUE allows you to use the medication or method as it will not afford you a competitive advantage but will ensure you can compete in a proper state of health.

The timeline and process for TUE applications varies depending on the sport and level of competition. However, you should apply for a TUE as soon as possible after being prescribed the prohibited substance or method of administration. If the substance is prohibited in-competition only, be sure to apply at least 30 days before the eve of the competition.

Any athlete competing at a national or international level is subject to doping control. This means your urine and/or blood may be tested for prohibited substances or methods, anytime or anywhere. To protect clean sport and ensure that athletes compete on a level playing field, testing:

• is always conducted without advanced warning
• may take place in-competition at events, or out-of-competition in training venues, or even at an athlete’s home.

Regardless of where or when the test is conducted, it will always follow same process. A specially trained doping control officer (DCO) will lead this process, from notifying athletes that they have been selected for testing, through to submitting the collected samples to the laboratory for analysis.

Your rights and responsibilities if selected for testing

If you are competing in a sport under the jurisdiction of the anti-doping rules and are selected for doping control, you must:

• Undertake a test when selected – refusing a test can lead to a four-year ban
• Report immediately for a test, unless there are valid reasons for a delay (as listed in the UKAD testing process )
• Provide identification such as competition accreditation, a passport or other photo identification
• Comply with sample collection procedures and instructions given
• Remain within direct view of the DCO from the point of notification until the completion of the sample collection procedure
• Ensure that all appropriate paperwork is accurate, complete, and signed.

During the testing process you have a right to:

• be accompanied by a representative and/or interpreter of your choice, particularly if you are a minor or a person with a disability
• request a delay in reporting to the Doping Control Station for valid reasons (as listed in the UKAD testing process )
• have the sample-collection and analysis process explained
• see proof of the DCO's credentials
• request modifications if you have a disability or are a minor
• receive a copy of all forms used to document the sample collection process
• record any concerns or comments you have on the doping control form before signing and submitting it to the DCO.

Most importantly, you have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and have your privacy protected throughout the entire anti-doping process. If you have any questions or concerns about the way you have been treated during anti-doping process, please contact anti-doping@nsc.gov.sb.