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Doping Control

Anti-Doping Rule Violations & Sanctions

Understanding violations and consequences under the World Anti-Doping Code.

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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)
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