Anti-doping

    What is doping?

    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, and FIBA takes its anti-doping activities seriously. But, even those who have no intention to cheat in basketball, still need to be extremely mindful that many substances they take for medical or training purposes – both in the on and off season – may result in serious consequences under the anti-doping rules if they turn out to be prohibited.

    Use FIBA as your primary resource for all information related to anti-doping policies. Violating anti-doping requirements can have major consequences for your career and you want to make sure that products you consume innocently do not contain substances you didn’t know were prohibited by FIBA and the World Anti-Doping Code. While your team, coaches, and the team doctor will help you stay current on anti-doping information, you can always turn to FIBA. Keep in mind however, that you, as a player, are fully responsible for knowing the rules.

    Doping is defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as the occurrence of one or more of the following anti-doping rule violation:

    • Presence of a prohibited substance in a player’s sample

    • Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method

    • Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection after being notified

    • Failure to file player whereabouts information and missed tests

    • Tampering or attempted tampering with any part of the doping control process

    • Possession of a prohibited substance or method

    • Trafficking a prohibited substance of method

    • Administering or attempting to administer a prohibited substance or method to a player

    • Complicity in an ADRV (Anti-Doping Rule Violation)

    • Prohibited association with player support personnel with a doping history

    • Acts to discourage or retaliate against reporting to authorities

    WADA keeps a list of substances and methods that are banned. It updates this List of Prohibited Substances & Methods periodically, and at least annually. The updated list normally applies from 1 January each year and is available a few months before on the WADA website.

    Important! The WADA Prohibited List is complex and difficult to understand so check everything through your team doctor and check the substances on all drugs, supplements, herbal products, etc. before you take them.

    Player responsibilities

    As a player, you have certain responsibilities. The Golden Rule for all players is the principle of strict liability, which implies that:

    • You take full responsibility. You must take responsibility for what you “ingest,” meaning what you eat and drink and anything that may enter your body. The essential rule is this: if it is in your body, you are responsible for it.

    • You are responsible for knowing what substances and methods are on a prohibited list at all time.

    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 help you to clarify whether or not you can consume a certain product – but always remember, it is ultimately your responsibility to avoid taking prohibited substances.

    The anti-doping world is often complex and hard to fully understand at times. It is key for you to know where to get the right information. Therefore, we aim to list some important and useful sources which may answer your day to day questions linked to anti-doping. Ask for advice if you feel that you don’t have all the information you need.

    Necessary medical treatments and the therapeutic use exemption (TUE)

    All players 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.

    Any player taking part in a major competition, who takes or intends to take medication that contains or who uses or intends to use one of these methods, must apply for a TUE. Receiving a TUE avoids the risk of sanctions in case of a positive test.

    For all FIBA competitions, the TUE request must be addressed to FIBA, while for national-level competitions, it must be made to the country’s National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO). Click here to access a list of all NADOS.

    TUE Process

    • Download the TUE application form (click here for the FIBA form).

    • Have your doctor/physician fill-in the TUE application form.

    • Send it back to FIBA (as relevant) at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the competition/championship.

    • 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:

      • The prohibited substance is needed to treat a diagnosed medical condition.

      • The substance does not enhance your performance beyond what brings you back to normal health

      • There are no alternative (non-prohibited) treatments available.

    • FIBA 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.

    For more information about the TUE process click here.

    The doping control process

    The doping control process

    Doping controls can be performed as ‘in-competition tests’ or ‘out-of-competition tests’:

    • In-competition testing period is defined as follows: The period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a competition in which the player is scheduled to participate through the end of such competition and the sample collection process related to such competition.

    • Out-of-competition testing refers to all tests that are not defined as in-competition. Any basketball player, affiliated through its National Federation to FIBA, can be requested to provide a urine and/or blood sample at any time and in any location.

    The doping control process in 10 steps

    From the time of notification to the end of the doping control process, you will be accompanied at all times.

    • Your urine and/or blood can be collected anytime and anywhere for doping control purposes.

    • You will be notified by a doping control officer or chaperone about your selection for doping control. You will be asked to sign a form confirming that you understand your rights and responsibilities.

    • You will be requested to immediately report to the doping control.

    • You will choose a collection vessel from the selection provided.

    • Provide sample

      • A minimum amount of 90mL of urine will need to be provided.

      • You will disrobe from knees to navel and from your hands to elbow to provide an unobstructed view of the passing of the sample.

      • A Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone of the same gender will observe the urine leaving your body.

    • Choose a sample collection kit from the selection provided. Split the sample in the A and B bottles. Pour urine up to the line in the B bottle first. Next, fill the A bottle and leave a small portion in the collection vessel.

    • Seal the A and B bottles.

    • The DCO will measure the specific gravity of the sample to ensure it is not too diluted to analyse. If it is too dilute, you may be required to provide additional samples.

    You will complete the Doping Control Form, by:

    • Providing personal information

    • Noting any substances you may be taking: prescription medication, over the counter medication and supplements noting concerns or comments, if you have any, about the doping control

    • Declaring that you have a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) should you be taking a medication which is prohibited

    • Confirming the information, recorded numbers and sample code are correct

    • Signing and receiving your copy of the doping control form

    • Samples will be sent to a WADA-accredited laboratory in strict confidentiality and will be tracked to ensure their security. Your A sample will be analysed, and your B sample will be securely stored for further testing if required. The laboratory will send the results to the responsible National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) and WADA.

    Player rights and responsibilities during the doping control

    It’s important to realise that as a player you cannot refuse or disrupt – or even delay – a test! The following outlines your rights and responsibilities during the doping control process.

    You have the right to

    • Have a representative and, if available, an interpreter

    • Ask for additional information about the sample collection process

    • Request a delay in reporting to the Doping Control Station for valid reasons (as determined by the DCO) if you are a player with a disability, to request modifications to the sample collection procedure

    You have a responsibility to

    • Remain within direct observation of the DCO/chaperone at all times from the point of notification until the completion of the sample collection process

    • Produce appropriate identification

    • Comply with sample collection procedures (failure to do so may constitute an anti-doping rule violation)

    • Report immediately for doping control, unless there are compelling reasons for a delay

    Note that the above information is for basic informative purposes only. For the exact, legally-binding and most up-to-date regulations on Anti-Doping, always refer to the FIBA Internal Regulations governing Anti-Doping (Book 4).

    What are the consequences?

    Sanctions for violating anti-doping regulations may range from a reprimand to a lifetime ban. The period of ineligibility may vary depending on the type of anti-doping violation, the circumstances of an individual case, the substance, and the possible repetition of an anti-doping rule violation. Keep in mind that even accidental use of a prohibited substance may result in a serious sanction.

    As a player, you have the right to request a B sample analysis. You are entitled to a fair hearing and to appeal any decision regarding a positive test or sanction imposed on you following an anti-doping rule violation.

    Aside from an imposed sanction, the use of doping has serious consequences four your health, career and reputation:

    • Health

      Taking doping substances and using banned method may causes long term body damages. It can also lead to numbers of addictions.

    • Career

      Sanctions for violating anti-doping regulations almost always lead to a playing ban, which is very negative for your career. You can be suspended by your team or even be fired. The financial impact of it could be devastating for you and your family.

    • Reputation

      If you are caught for doping, this will follow you for the rest of your career. You will be stigmatised and it can have a negative impact on your possible future employments also outside of sport. You might also risk losing your sponsors, which can leave you in a financially difficult situation.

    Contact FIBA Anti-doping

    FIBA - International Basketball Federation oute Suisse 5 - P.O Box 29 1295 Mies - Switzerland

    Tel.: +41 22 545 00 00 Fax: +41 22 545 00 99 Mail: maildoping@fiba.basketball