Doping Control
Anti-Doping Rule Violations & Sanctions
Understanding violations and consequences under the World Anti-Doping Code.

Violations & Consequences
Anti-Doping Rule Violations & Sanctions
The World Anti-Doping Code outlines several anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) that can result in sanctions for athletes who are found to have committed them. Here are the most common ADRVs and their associated sanctions:
ADRVs applying to Athletes only
Presence
Having a banned substance or its markers in your sample
Use or Attempted Use
Evading, Refusing, or Failing to Submit a Sample
Whereabouts Failure
Missing tests or failing to update your whereabouts.
ADRVs for Athletes, Coaches, and Athlete Support Personnel
Tampering or Attempted Tampering
Altering or interfering with samples or the testing process.
Possession
Holding banned substances or engaging in banned methods.
Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking
Selling, distributing, or supplying banned substances or methods.
Administration or Attempted Administration
Giving or attempting to give banned substances or methods to an athlete.
Complicity or Attempted Complicity
Helping, encouraging, or covering up someone else’s doping.
Prohibited Association
Working with or associating with banned individuals.
Acts of Discouragement or Retaliation
Threatening whistleblowers or those reporting on doping.
Standard Sanctions
Anti-Doping Rule Violation | Standard Sanction |
|---|---|
Acts of Discouragement or Retaliation | 2 years to Lifetime |
Prohibited Association | 2 years (may be reduced to 1 year) |
Complicity or Attempted Complicity
| 2 years to Lifetime |
Administration or Attempted Administration | 4 years to Lifetime |
Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking | 4 years to Lifetime |
Possession | Up to 4 years |
Tampering or Attempted Tampering | 4 years |
Whereabouts Failures (3 missed tests and/or filing failures within 12 months) | 2 years (may be reduced to 1 year)
|
Evading, Refusing, or Failing to Submit a Sample | 4 years |
Presence, Use or Attempted Use | 4 years (intentional) or 2 years (unintentional) |
