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Testing

Testing information

An overview of anti-doping testing in golf per year may be found here.

All decisions released by or recognised by the IGF in relation to the fight against doping may be found here.

The aim of testing is to detect and deter doping among athletes to protect clean athletes. Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of the IGF may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in- or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine or blood sample.

No-advance notice out-of-competition testing is one of the most powerful means of deterrence and detection of doping. Testing pools are set up to support this type of testing.

How do athletes know if they are in a testing pool and if they need to provide whereabouts?

Athletes who need to provide whereabouts in ADAMS are notified in writing of their inclusion in a testing pool. The athlete will be notified by the IGF if in an international testing pool or by the National Anti-Doping Organisation if in a national testing pool. Athletes will be provided with instructions as to what information exactly is required of them, how to use ADAMS (WADA’s online anti-doping administration and management system), deadlines to submit this information and any consequences if the information required is not submitted.

Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)

The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) was introduced in 2009 and is a pillar method in the detection of doping. It is an individual electronic profile that monitors selected athlete biological variables that indirectly reveal the effects of doping. ABP is integrated directly into ADAMS.

If you wish to learn more about ABP, you can watch this ITA webinar recording

IGF Anti-Doping Activity Report 2022

An overview of anti-doping testing for IGF events can be found here

The Prohibited List

What is the Prohibited List?

The Prohibited List in force identifies substances and methods prohibited in-competition, at all times (i.e. in- and out-of-competition) and in particular sports. Substances and methods are classified by categories (e.g. steroids, stimulants, masking agents). The list is updated annually following an extensive consultation process facilitated by WADA.

It is each athlete’s responsibility to ensure that no prohibited substance enters his/her body and that no prohibited method is used.

Click here for an explanation on the legitimate medical use as well as some of the health and safety risks associated with substances and methods included on the Prohibited List.

Useful Online Databases*
The following online country-specific drug reference databases are also available for checking the status of a medication bought in that country.

* Important note: the IGF and WADA do not take responsibility for the information provided on these websites.

Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)?

Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete is required to use to treat an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List a TUE may give that athlete the authorization to use that substance or method while competing without invoking an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and applicable sanction. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, the TUE Committee (TUEC).

What are the criteria for granting a TUE?

All of the four following criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.2):

  • The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method;
  • The therapeutic use of the substance will not, on the balance of probabilities produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health;
  • The prohibited substance or method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative;
  • The necessity to use that substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.

Who should apply for a TUE, where and when to apply?

International Golf Federation (IGF) has delegated responsibility for all TUE applications to the International Testing Agency (ITA). This means that the ITA is now fully responsible for the TUE application process for all international-level athletes that fall under IGF’s jurisdiction.

Athletes who are subject to anti-doping rules would need a TUE to take a prohibited substance or use a prohibited method. You should verify with the ITA to know to whom you need to apply and if you can apply retroactively.

First, check if the required medication or method you intend to take, or use is prohibited as per the WADA Prohibited List.

You may also use a ‘check your medication’ online like globalDRO (https://globaldro.com) or ask your NADO if it has one.

You have a responsibility to inform your physician(s) that you are an Athlete bound to anti-doping rules. You and your physician(s) should check the Prohibited List for the substance/method you are prescribed. If the substance/method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives, if there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember Athletes have the ultimate responsibility. Contact your NADO or the ITA if you are having difficulties in assessing the status of a substance.

Then, verify below your status, to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements:

International Level Definition

  • Athletes who are part of the IGF Registered Testing Pool and Testing Pool;
  • Athletes who participate in any of the international events listed below:
    • IGF World Amateur Team Championships;
    • Summer Olympic Games;
    • any other Golf Event/Competition adopting directly the IGF Anti-Doping Policy with the written agreement of the IGF

If it is determined that you are an International-Level Athlete you must apply to the ITA in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances.

For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition, unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs (see below) apply.

Please refer to the section “How to apply to the ITA for a TUE?” below.

If you already have a TUE granted by your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO):

ITA’s TUEC will automatically recognise it for purposes of international-level Competition without the need to review the relevant clinical information.

If you are NOT an International-Level Athlete and you have been tested by IGF, ITA’s TUEC recognizes a valid TUE granted by your NADO (i.e., it satisfies the ISTUE criteria for granting a TUE); unless you are required to apply for recognition of the TUE because you are competing in an international event.

If you are NOT a National-Level Athlete as defined by your NADO and you have been tested by IGF, you must apply for a retroactive TUE to the ITA.

Can I get a retroactive TUE?

You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to the ITA’s TUEC if:

  • You required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition.
  • There was insufficient time, opportunity or other exceptional circumstances that prevented you from submitting the TUE application, or having it evaluated, before getting tested.
  • You are a lower level athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of IGF or NADO and were tested.
  • You tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition (for example glucocorticoids).

In rare and exceptional circumstances and notwithstanding any other provision in the ISTUE, you may apply for and be granted retroactive approval for a therapeutic use of a prohibited substance or method, if considering the purpose of the Code, it would be manifestly unfair not to grant a retroactive TUE. An Anti-Doping Organization may grant an Athlete’s application for a retroactive TUE pursuant to this Article only with the prior approval of WADA (and WADA may in its absolute discretion agree with or reject the Anti-Doping Organization’s decision).”

This unique retroactive TUE will only be granted with the prior approval of WADA (and WADA may in its absolute discretion agree with or reject the ITA’s TUEC decision).

How to apply to the ITA for a TUE?

IGF encourages to submit TUE applications via ADAMS, together with the required medical information. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact tue@ita.sport to have it set up.

Otherwise, please download the TUE Application Form (found here, and once duly completed and signed, send it together with the required medical file to tue@ita.sport.

Your TUE application must be submitted in legible capital letters or typing.

The medical file must include:

  • A comprehensive medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s) (where possible);
  • The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application.

Any costs incurred by the Athlete in making the TUE application and in supplementing it as required by the TUEC are the responsibility of the Athlete.

Any TUE application that is not complete or legible will not be dealt with and will be returned for completion and re-submission.

To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for TUE applications for guidance and support, and Medical Information to Support the Decisions of TUECs for guidance on specific common medical conditions, treatments, substances, etc.

Keep a complete copy of the TUE application form and all medical information submitted in support of your application, and proof that it has been sent.

How to submit a request for recognition of my NADO's TUE to the IGF?

ITA’s TUEC will automatically recognise your TUE for purposes of international-level Competition without the need to review the relevant clinical information. If the TUE is correctly entered in ADAMS, there is no need to contact us. Nevertheless, should you require a confirmation, you can submit your request to the ITA in writing quoting your ADAMS TUE reference number.

You can download your TUE certificate directly from ADAMS.

What happens at Major Events, for example the Olympic Games?

You must verify with the Major Event, what are its TUE requirements.

Before the Period of the Games
You should follow the normal process and submit new requests to the ITA or NADO. Pre-existing TUEs will follow the recognition process provided they are entered in ADAMS.

During the Period of the Games
All Athletes participating in the Olympic Games must contact the ITA office located in the polyclinic of the Olympic Village.

When will I receive a decision on my TUE application (or request for recognition)?

The ITA’s TUEC must render a decision as soon as possible, and usually within 21 days from the date of receipt of the complete TUE application, or request for recognition, unless in exceptional circumstances.

What if I need to renew my TUE?

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 the ITA, as you may be required to apply for a new TUE. Some substances and dosages, e.g. insulin, are often modified during treatment and these possible fluctuations should be mentioned by the treating physician in the TUE application and would usually be accepted by the ITA’s TUEC.

What if my IGF's TUE application is denied?

A decision to deny a TUE application will include a written explanation of the reason(s) for the denial. If it is not clear to you, please contact the ITA to understand exactly why the TUE was denied. Sometimes, there may be a critical piece of information, diagnostic test, laboratory results missing, etc. In which case, you should re-apply to us.

You and/or your NADO may refer the matter to WADA for review no later than 21 days after notification of the ITA’s TUEC decision. You should send the same information that you submitted to us, and on which the decision to deny the TUE was based on, via a secure on-line method or by registered mail at:

WADA Medical Department World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700)
P.O. Box 120
Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7
Canada

The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org

It should be noted that WADA is not obliged to proceed with a request for a review. In that case, you and/or your NADO may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

What if my NADO's TUE is not recognised by the IGF?

You and/or your NADO have 21 days from the date of decision to refer the matter to WADA for review. The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org. Alternatively, you may send to:

WADA Medical Department World Anti-Doping Agency Stock Exchange Tower
800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700)
P.O. Box 120
Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7
Canada

The same information that was provided to your NADO should be submitted to WADA. Please use a secure on-line method unless sending by registered mail.

Pending WADA’s decision, your NADO TUE remains valid for national-level competition and out-of-competition testing only.

If the matter is not referred to WADA for review, your NADO must determine whether the original TUE that was granted should remain valid for national-level Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing.

Will my medical information be treated in a confidential manner?

All the information contained in a TUE application, including the supporting medical information and any other information related to the evaluation of your TUE request is kept strictly confidential and treated in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration contained in the ADAMS TUE and in the TUE Application Form which can be found here. All members of the TUEC and any other authorized recipients of your TUE request and related information (as described in the Athlete’s Declaration) are subject to a professional or contractual confidentiality obligation.

Please review the terms of the Athlete’s Declaration carefully. In particular, note that should you wish to revoke the right of the ITA’s TUEC to obtain the information related to your TUE in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration, your TUE application will be deemed withdrawn without approval [or recognition] being granted.

Your TUE request-related information will be retained by IGF, ITA’s TUEC and any other authorized recipients for no longer than necessary for the purposes stated in the Athlete’s Declaration, in accordance with the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information.

Contact information - further questions

For any further information and questions in relation to personal information practices, please contact the ITA at privacy@ita.sport or IGF.

If you have a doubt as regards to which organization you should apply for a TUE, or as to the recognition process, or any other question about TUEs, please contact: tue@ita.sport.

Other useful links

WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Q&A on Therapeutic Use Exemptions
WADA Checklists for TUE Applications
WADA Guidelines for the 2021 International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL)

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