Anti-Doping

As an unequivocal confirmation of its commitment to eradicating the use of prohibited substances and methods in triathlon, World Triathlon continues to commit time, effort, energy and a substantial budget to its anti-doping mission.

As you are aware, over the years various regulatory mechanisms have been established and implemented to curb the incidence of doping in our sport and in sport in general. All these mechanisms seek to efficiently and effectively deter all triathletes from doping. More importantly, these mechanisms are the main tools that will allow World Triathlon to catch and punish anyone who cheats, all the while seeking to maintain a level playing field for every clean and fair athlete.

According to yearly statistics, World Triathlon athletes have, for the most part, respected their duties as athletes under the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules and the World Anti-Doping Code. In fact, we take pride in the knowledge that, so few anti-doping rules violations have occurred in our sport at an international level.

This does not mean that our work is done. As we have learned through the doping scandals that have occurred in various sports over the last few years, the fight against doping is arduous. It requires long-term commitment. It demands transparency and it is dependent upon cooperation and collaboration. World Triathlon shall therefore strive to render its anti-doping program even more successful in the future as it continues its fight to rid sport of doping.

Since 1st January 2022, World Triathlon has delegated part of its Anti-Doping Program to the International Testing Agency (ITA).

World Triathlon would like to warmly thank CCES for their outstanding contribution, commitment and professionalism in our collaboration that lasted over ten years.

We remind you that the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules are the fundamental regulatory backdrop of World Triathlon’s Anti-Doping Program. However, the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules also incorporate by reference all the WADA International Standards. These mandatory International Standards, as well as the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code, can all be downloaded on the WADA Website at www.wada-ama.org.

Because all World Triathlon athletes and support personnel are bound by the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules, you are strongly encouraged to get acquainted with all these regulatory documents.

Here are some of the components of the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Program:

1. Regulatory mechanisms:

In 2021, the sporting world welcomes a revised 2021 World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and International Standards.

As a Signatory to the Code, World Triathlon has updated its Anti-Doping Rules to ensure that they conform to the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code. World Triathlon is also responsible to ensure that going forward World Triathlon effectively conforms to all aspects of the World Anti-Doping Program.

These Code requirements are many and among other include:

Implementing Code-compliant Anti-Doping Rules,
Establishing and implementing proper TUE, results management, and disciplinary processes.
Operating a thorough, robust, and intelligence-based testing program including in-competition and out-of-competition testing, participation in the Athlete Biological Passport Program, and designating a well-thought-out Registered Testing Pool and Testing Pool.
Administrating a well-defined values-based education program.

Because all World Triathlon athletes and support personnel are bound by the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules, you are strongly encouraged to get acquainted with all these regulatory documents.

2. Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE)

Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications or to utilize particular methods of treatment.

If an Athlete is required to take a medication to treat an illness or a documented medical condition and this substance or method is on the Prohibited List, a TUE authorizes the Athlete to take the needed substance or method for therapeutic reasons - so long as the Athlete fulfills all the mandatory criteria to do so. Athletes may apply to their National Anti-Doping Organisation for a TUE or to World Triathlon.

Each TUE has a specific duration, at the end of which it expires automatically. Should you need to continue to use the prohibited substance or method, it is your responsibility to submit a new application for a TUE with updated medical information ahead of the expiry date, so that there is sufficient time for a decision to be made prior to the expiry of the current TUE.

Important note:

The presence (following sample collection), use, possession or administration of the prohibited substance or method must be consistent with the terms of your TUE. Therefore, if you require a materially different dosage, frequency, route or duration of administration, you should contact World Triathlon, as you may be required to apply for a new TUE.

World Triathlon has appointed a qualified TUE Committee who is responsible for processing all TUE applications for international level athletes and deciding whether or not a TUE should be granted.

More information on the World Triathlon TUE process can be downloaded here:
World Triathlon TUE Process

World Triathlon’s TUE Application form can be downloaded here: World Triathlon TUE Application Form

3. Out-Of-Competition Testing (OOCT)

In accordance with its Test Distribution Plan, World Triathlon is acting with the ITA to maintain its OOCT numbers testing based on reasoned and efficient test distribution planning. To this end, World Triathlon runs a Registered Testing Pool and secondary Testing Pool composed of Athletes who are required to submit whereabouts information for the purpose of OOCT.

Over and above this OOCT plan and the usual requisite in-competition testing, World Triathlon continues to cooperate with WADA in its conducting of supplementary OOCT testing on behalf of World Triathlon.

4. Increased and efficient In Competition Testing

In addition to the OOCT testing that is being done, World Triathlon also maintains its requirements for in- competition testing. By using a variety of random and targeted tests before and after World Triathlon Events, World Triathlon keeps its in-competition testing program unpredictable and efficient.

5. Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)

The objective of integrating the ABP into the larger framework of the World Triathlon’s anti-doping program remains to identify and to target athletes for specific analytical testing (e.g., recombinant EPO test, homologous blood transfusion test) by intelligent and timely interpretation of biological passport data. The WADA-accredited Montreal IRNS Laboratory is the Athlete Passport Management Unit that monitors World Triathlon’s ABP.

World Triathlon believes it continues to integrate the ABP properly and successfully into its doping control program by weighing all factors including the required resources and capacity to operate such a program. As such, you can all expect for World Triathlon to continue to build is ABP database in 2021, to use it to complement all its other anti-doping initiatives effectively and efficiently, and to pursue any apparent anti-doping rule violations arising therefrom.

6. National Federations Testing

Under the 2021 Code, World Triathlon must require, as a condition of membership, that the policies, rules and programs of their National Federations and other members are in compliance with the Code and the International Standards, and to take appropriate action to enforce such compliance; areas of compliance shall include but not be limited to:

(i) requiring that their National Federations conduct Testing only under the documented authority of their International Federation and use their National Anti-Doping Organization or other Sample collection authority to collect Samples in compliance with the International Standard for Testing and Investigations;
(ii) requiring that their National Federations recognize the authority of the National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) in their country and assist as appropriate with the NADO’s implementation of the national Testing program for their sport;
(iii) requiring that their National Federations analyze all Samples collected using a WADA-accredited or WADA-approved laboratory and
(iv) requiring that any national level anti-doping rule violation cases discovered by their National Federations are adjudicated by an Operationally Independent hearing panel.

7. Education

World Triathlon maintains its steadfast commitment to education. World Triathlon believes firmly that all athletes, at all levels, must be educated on the dangers of
using drugs for their health, their athlete status, their national pride, their reputations and ultimately, their legacy.

World Triathlon has developed its Education Program for 2022 and targeted different Pools to education within its Stakeholders. For this, World Triathlon is promoting its Anti-Doping Education courses via its Education & Knowledge HUB.

Three (3) different courses were developed for World Triathlon Athletes and Coaches. All information related to this can be found in the World Triathlon Education Program.
The three (3) courses can be found here as well, with the enrollment key to access it:

- International Level Athlete Anti-Doping Education 2022:
https://education.triathlon.org/course/view.php?id=154
Enrollment Key: EliteCleanSport2022
- Youth Athlete Anti-Doping Education 2022:
https://education.triathlon.org/course/view.php?id=155
Enrollment Key: CleanSport2022Youth
- High Performance Coach Anti-Doping Education 2022:
https://education.triathlon.org/course/view.php?id=156
Enrollment Key: CoachCleanSport2022
World Triathlon shall also continue to implement the WADA Outreach Model at various events. We will also actively engage national federations in the dissemination
of materials to athletes at all levels; increase the information links on our World Triathlon website and actively encourage coaches and trainers to better acquaint
themselves with all the elements of both the World Triathlon, World Anti-Doping Program and the available content on ADeL so they all are informed and accountable.

While World Triathlon continues to invest and actively engage itself in the fight against doping, we equally believe that everyone involved in Triathlon has a part to
play in eradicating the use of prohibited substances and methods in sport. Together, we can make sure that all our athletes, their support staff and medical personnel are aware of their obligations and responsibilities with regards to doping, and stay clean, and healthy. This is for the athlete’s best interest – and for the best interest and longevity of the sport.

World Triathlon thanks you for taking your responsibilities regarding anti-doping seriously and for protecting the integrity of triathlon, for promoting the health and well-being of all our athletes and for respecting and honouring the intrinsic values of sport in general.
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