Doping is wrong since it is fundamentally contrary to the 'spirit of sport'. FIBA fights against doping to maintain values, many which are linked to Olympism and the pursuit of human excellence through each person's natural talent and work.
These values include ethics, fair play and honesty, health, dedication and commitment, excellent in performance, teamwork, fun and joy, respect for rules and laws, respect for self and other participants and courage.
Doping is committing any violation of anti-doping rules. These include things such as the use of prohibited substances and methods used to tamper with the doping control process. Substances and methods are banned if it meets at least two of the three following criteria:
1. Enhances performance and poses a threat to athlete health;
2. Enhances performance and violates the spirit of sport; or
3. Poses a health risk and violates the spirit of sport.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
Players are responsible for knowing what constitutes an anti-doping rule violation and it is also their personal duty to ensure that no Prohibited Substance enters their body.
Not only players are subject to anti-doping rules. Coaches, support personnel, parents, friends and anyone else involved in a player’s career could be subject to the World Anti-Doping Code and the FIBA Internal regulations governing Anti-Doping.
WORLD ANTI-DOPING CODE
The World Anti-Doping Code is the document created and updated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ensure regulations are harmonized across all sports globally. FIBA has implemented the WADA Code through the FIBA Internal Regulations governing Anti-Doping. Violations can involve more than just a positive test – which is called an ‘Adverse Analytical Finding’.
The 2025 List enters into force on January 1, 2025, and the 2025 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, as compared to the 2024 List, is now available here.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) also publishes an annual List of Prohibited and Methods. It is essential all players and support colleagues carefully review the list each year and particularly in cases where they intend to use supplements or medication.
WADA 2024 Prohibited List
WADA 2024 Summary of Modifications and explanatory notes
WADA 2024 Monitoring Program
Some substances are simply banned/ prohibited and can never be taken. A powerful example is anabolic steroids, which have long-term performance-enhancing training effects, or masking agents, which can be used to hide evidence of doping. In contrast, out-of-competition use of a substance that is prohibited only ‘in-competition’ is not considered an anti-doping rule violation. However, this is only if that said substance is not still detected in your system during an ‘in-competition’ test. Substances can stay in the system for a long time and it is an anti-doping rule violation to have a positive result for a substance taken out-of-competition (that was not prohibited at the time you took it) during an in-competition doping control test.
While most medications on the prohibited list can be bought at a pharmacy, they are for people with specific health issues and not for healthy players. They were not approved to be used by healthy people in higher does and in combination with other substances. Extreme caution is recommended regarding supplement use since these are not always regulated, labels can be incomplete or misleading and they can contain a banned substance (even a so-called ‘all-natural’ supplement could contain a prohibited substance).
There are also methods of administering substances or manipulating your physiology that are banned. These methods can also have negative effects on an athlete’s body. For example, ‘Blood doping’, including having blood transfusions to change the way the blood carries oxygen to the rest of the body
WHAT HAPPENS IF A SUBSTANCE IS FOUND IN A SAMPLE?
Even if someone takes a prohibited substance without knowing, if it is found in a sample, this will be considered an anti-doping rule violation. This is called strict liability.
If FIBA can demonstrate that someone has used a prohibited substance or method, even if no prohibited substance has been detected in a sample provided, this will be considered to be an anti-doping rule violation. FIBA can use any reliable means to establish an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
It does not matter if there is an intention to commit an anti-doping violation or not, these types of doping offences are punishable regardless of intent.
Refusing to be tested when requested (without a compelling justification) is an anti-doping violation. The sanction will be the same as taking a prohibited substance.
Failure to comply after being placed in a Registered Testing Pool is a violation (such as missing a test or not advising of whereabouts). This is a 12-month period is an anti-doping rule violation and carries a sanction of between 1-2 years.
Anyone tampering or attempting to tamper with the doping process will result in a sanction. This includes providing false information to FIBA, trying to alter the doping control form, or offensive conduct towards the doping control officer or chaperones.
Possession of prohibited substances or prohibited can result in a sanction. If anyone needs to have a prohibited substance or use prohibited methods for health reasons, they must apply for the Therapeutic Use Exemption.
Trafficking or attempted trafficking of any prohibited substance or method will result in a sanction for anyone involved. It is the same for anyone involved in the administration or attempted administration of prohibited substances.
Anyone encouraging or helping to commit an anti-doping violation, as well as anyone involved in the cover up of an anti-doping rule violation will be sanctioned.
Association in a professional or sport-related capacity with someone serving a ban or convicted of a criminal or disciplinary offence for conduct that would be considered an anti-doping violation.