IWBF Regulations Governing Anti-Doping

New IWBF Internal Regulations Governing Anti-Doping come into effect as of the 1st January 2021. Discover the new regulations in the IWBF Handbook under section K.

Basics

Competing on an even playing field, where hard work, training and talent are the fundamental difference between winning and losing, holds a central place within the sporting ethos. The practice of trying to gain an unfair advantage through dishonest means is as old as sport itself. It remains a never-ending battle, but one that IWBF takes extremely seriously.

IWBF is a World Anti-Doping Code Signatory as such we, in cooperation with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other stakeholders, are committed to ensure a fair level playing field for wheelchair basketball players.

What’s important to know for you?

Often, players consider the Anti-Doping world as complex and feel intimidated by the matter.

This section aims to provide you with some tools which shall help you to better understand Anti-Doping related matters and thus to still the fears you may have.

The Golden Rule for all players: The principle of Strict Liability

If there is one such thing as the Golden Rule in Anti-Doping it would be the Principle of Strict Liability.

It is your ultimate responsibility to know what enters your body.

In case of a positive doping control it will be your burden to prove how the prohibited substance entered your body. Therefore, you should always know what you eat, what supplements you use and what medication you take.

In any case of doubt you should consult an expert (e.g. your team doctor) who may clarify whether or not you can consume a certain product.

WADA List of Prohibited Substances and Methods

In order to abide with the Principle of Strict Liability you need to know the WADA List of Prohibited Substances and Methods.

The list is an international standard identifying substances and methods prohibited in sport which is reviewed on a yearly basis.

As highlighted above, it is essential that all players and support personnel review carefully the Prohibited List, particularly in cases where they intend to use supplements or medication.

Please find herewith a link to the current list, the 2021 list and additional information:

WADA List of Prohibited Substances and Methods 2023

Right to the best medical treatment – Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE)

You have the right to the best medical treatment.

In certain cases, you may be required to take a prohibited substance or use a prohibited method in order to treat an illness or condition.

In such cases, you need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), which, if granted, gives you the authorisation to take the required medication containing a banned substance or use the required banned method.

Useful tips during control:

  • Remember to declare any approved medication on your Doping Control Form;
  • Specify that a TUE has been granted;
  • Carry with you a copy of the TUE and, if possible, show it to the doping control officer.

Click here for detailed information.

TUE application process

 
New TUE Application
  • For all IWBF competitions (International Club competition or official National Team Events), the TUE request must be addressed to IWBF, while for national championships it must be made to the National Organisation for Wheelchair Basketball (NOWB) or to the country’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO).
  • Download the TUE application form here.
  • Have your doctor/physician fill-in the TUE application form.
  • Send it back to IWBF (by e-mail to anti-doping@iwbf.org) or your National Wheelchair Basketball Federation (see above) at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the competition/championship (exceptional circumstances may allow for a shorter deadline).
  • Once a TUE is requested, the FIBA TUE Committee*, a panel of experts, reviews your request. A TUE will be granted if the following criteria are met:
    • Your health will be significantly impaired if you do not take the substance.
    • The substance does not enhance your performance beyond what brings you back to normal health.
    • There are no alternative treatments available.
  • IWBF has 30 days to advise if you can take the requested medication or not. In the case of a denied request, you will be informed of the reasons. You have the right to appeal the decision.
Recognition of a National-level TUE

IWBF does not automatically recognise national TUEs until a player requests the recognition of his or her national TUE.

Upon receipt of the request for recognition (submission of the valid national TUE receipt), the FIBA TUE Committee* will ordinarily recognise the TUE, if it meets the criteria defined in the WADA International Standard for TUEs (https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/therapeutic-use-exemption-tue/international-standard-for-therapeutic-use-exemptions-istue).

Every team (national team of club) that registers for an IWBF competition shall declare every player with a valid national TUE at the moment of the registration.

The team shall provide a copy of the valid national TUE in this process.

As mentioned above, the IWBF TUEC will review the valid national TUE upon its receipt and reserves the right to request additional information and/or documentation, if deemed necessary to make a decision on the recognition. A player in possession of a valid national TUE may not take a prohibited substance or use a prohibited method during an IWBF Competition, or during other times in which he or she is subject to IWBF’s testing authority, unless and until the IWBF TUEC has granted the request for recognition.

Note: the above constitute a practical summary and not legal or medical advice. Please refer to the complete procedures governing the application and granting of a TUE as set out in the International Standard for TUEs (https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/therapeutic-use-exemption-tue/international-standard-for-therapeutic-use-exemptions-istue) published by WADA. You may also contact IWBF (anti-doping@iwbf.org), your National Federation or NADO for more information.

*As part of the close cooperation between FIBA and IWBF it is agreed that the FIBA TUE Committee also reviews wheelchair basketball players’ applications on behalf of IWBF.

For more information in relation to the TUE process please click here

In-Competition Testing Period

For IWBF purposes, In-Competition shall be defined as period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate through to the end of such Competition and the Sample collection process related to such Competition.

Anti-Doping Education

Say NO! to doping.

Thanks to a collaboration with FIBA, athletes can access educational resources on the FIBA website to help educate themselves on areas including:

Alpha – Athlete Learning Program about Health and Anti-Doping

Do you want to learn more about Healthcare and Anti-Doping? Click here to access the interactive learning platform and obtain an ALPHA certificate.

Speak to your National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO)

Do you have question in relation to your national Anti-Doping program? Would you like to obtain information in your mother tongue? In this case we suggest that you visit your National Anti-Doping Agency’s (“NADO”) website.

Click here to find a list of all NADOs.

Anti-Doping ‘AT-A-GLANCE’ – additional information

Click here to get a brief overview on the most important Anti-Doping issues.

Anti-Doping Rule Violations:

IWBF did not bring forward any cases on an Anti-Doping Rule Violation lately (2016-2017).

Statistics

In-Competition Doping Control organized IWBF between 2015 – 2018

2015201620172018
602228

Out-Competition Doping Control organized IWBF between 2015-2018

2015201620172018
81620

IWBF Result Management Statistics 2015-2017

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