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ASADA
It is imperative that all athletes understand the requirements when it comes to sample collection conducted by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA). ASADA is responsible for coordinating Australia's anti-doping program which helps protect your rights to compete on a level playing field free from banned doping practices.
- Anti Doping Organisations - Useful Contacts and references
- World Anti-Doping Code for 2009
- Frequently Asked Questions
- ASADA General Information
- Athlete Retirement and Reinstatment
ANTI DOPING ORGANISATIONS - USEFUL CONTACTS and REFERENCES
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA)
Website - www.asada.gov.au
Hotline - 1800 020 506 (operating seven days a week from 8am to 8pm (AEST))
Email - asada@asada.gov.au
Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC)
Website - www.asdmac.gov.au
Phone - (0)2 6222 4232
Email - asdmac@asada.gov.au
WORLD ANTI-DOPING CODE FOR 2009
The following information has been put together by Dr Don McIntosh (GA Chief Medical Officer) to assist in the understanding of the WADA Code changes:
WADA Code Changes Letter January 2009
Changes to the WADA Code (In brief) January 2009
WADA Code Update February 2009
ASDMAC fact sheet - Therapeutic Use Exemption
Other Useful Fact Sheets Links
o A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) allows an athlete to use a controlled or banned medication if there is a medical requirement for using it. Athletes apply to the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) and must give medical evidence that they need to use this medication to treat a medical condition. A copy of all applications for TUE must also be sent to Gymnastics Australia.
o NO, Junior athletes no longer need to apply for a TUE for medications taken as you will not be tested under the new code. The exception is if you are attending an international competition or competing as a senior and you WILL be required to submit a TUE if you are using any banned or controlled medication
o YES. All male gymnasts over 18 years and female gymnasts over 16 years will need to have a TUE for their medication if they are competing at the National Championships
o All Abbreviated TUE applications lodged prior to 31 December 2008 will be valid for one year from the date of lodgement, or until 31 December 2009, whichever is sooner
o The particular medications affected include all reliever and mixed medications and you will need to apply for a TUE for their use; salbutamol (Ventolin, Respolin); terbutaline (Bricanyl); salmeterol (Serevent, Seretide) and eformoterol (Foradile, Symbicort)
o All TUE applications for asthma medications will now require test results from spirometry or respiratory function tests to be included with the application. Your doctor will need to have certain information in your medical file, and forward this to GA and ASDMAC. Gymnasts who are part of the International or Domestic Testing Pool need to have their TUE applications finalised PRIOR TO COMPETING
o No, you will not have to apply for a TUE for any joint or musculoskeletal cortisone injections. If you are tested within a month of the injection, you should sign a Declaration of Use, provided by the tester, at the time of drug testing
o No, you will not have to apply for a TUE for any inhaled, nasal or skin use of cortisone. You will need to sign a Declaration of Use at the time of drug testing
World Anti-Doping Agency
Gymnastics Australia
Anti Doping Policy
Gymnastics Australia Chief Medical Officers:
Dr Don McIntosh - drdonmci@yahoo.com.au
Dr Kathy Yu - drkathyyu@bigpond.com
Changes to the World Anti-Doping Code will be in force from 1 January 2009 and are designed to bring uniformity to the Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) process across various countries and sporting organisations.
For further information, please review the following fact sheets from the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA):
TUE fact sheet - testing pool athletes
- How do I get more information?
o Please contact the Chief Medical Officers; Dr Kathy Yu or Dr Don McIntosh for any questions about the new WADA Code or medications in general.
ASADA GENERAL INFORMATION
Any Gymnast attending a National Championships may be subject to In-Competition testing. ASADA has altered the conditions of 'Out of Competition' testing and will now only apply to athletes who are listed on ASADA's Registered Testing Pool (RTP). ASADA will notify athletes by registered mail when selected onto the RTP. Until this time athletes will remain on the Domestic Testing Pool (DTP) and are not required to complete the quarterly Athlete Whereabouts Information.
DTP Athletes
Domestic Testing Pool listed athletes are required to ensure any changes to any contact details (address, phone numbers, email address) are supplied to Gymnastics Australia as soon as they become available. This is an ASADA requirement.
Please note all athletes who meet the definition of a 'competitor' may be tested at any time.
RTP Athletes
Athletes can be added to the Registered Testing Pool at ANY time.
Athletes who have received notification FROM ASADA they are listed on the Registered Testing Pool, or are notified in the future, please note the number of changes regarding the collection of the Athlete Whereabouts Information:
- Athletes are required to submit their "Whereabouts Information" DIRECTLY to ASADA, as directed by ASADA.
- Athletes should submit the "Whereabouts Information" on the provided Athlete Whereabouts Form, provided by ASADA in the RTP information pack.
- Athletes have the ability to enter their "Whereabouts Information" ONLINE using the new ASADA online system, as well as submitting via post or fax. Information is set out below:
- ONLINE system - http://www.asada.gov.au
- Fax - 02 6206 0210 or International +61 2 6206 0210 (keep a copy)
- Mail - PO Box 339, Curtin, ACT 2605 (keep a copy)
It is YOUR obligation to ensure the "Whereabouts" Form is received by ASADA on or before the due dates provided.
Athletes who fail to provide current, complete and accurate "Whereabouts Information' by the due date may have declarations made against them which could give rise to anti-doping violations.
As an elite athlete you are responsible for any substances found in your system. ASADA recommends that you always check the status of medications and other related products (prior to use) EACH YEAR by calling the ASADA Drugs in Sport Hotline or by obtaining the ASADA Drugs in Sport Handbook (DISH). You can now access on-line, a list of banned and permitted medications as well as your rights and responsibilities as an athlete www.asada.gov.au
It is an athletes' responsibility to know what is BANNED and permitted under Gymnastics Australia's Anti-Doping Policy.
ATHLETE RETIREMENT AND REINSTATEMENT
When a National Squad athlete wishes to retire from competitive gymnastics it is important they understand and follow the requirements and obligations set out in the GA Anti-Doping Policy. If an athlete, once retired, wants to return to the sport there are ALSO obligations and processes that need to be followed.
Set out below are the relevant sections of the GA Anti-Doping Policy which need to be followed:
8.4 Retirement and Return to Competition.
An Athlete who has been identified by the FIG for inclusion in FIG's Registered Testing Pool shall be subject to FIG retirement and return to Competition requirements.
An Athlete who is included in Gymnastics Australia's Registered Testing Pool shall be subject to the following requirements:
8.4.1 An Athlete who wants to retire from Competition must do so by notifying Gymnastics Australia in writing and completing and returning the ASADA Retirement Notification Form.
8.4.2 An Athlete's retirement date will be the date Gymnastics Australia receives this signed form and letter of retirement.
8.4.3 Retirement does not:
a. excuse the Athlete from giving a Sample requested on or before their retirement date;
b. prevent the analysis of a Sample given by the Athlete on or before their retirement date;
c. affect the results of Testing under (a) or (b) above; or
d. exempt the Athlete from this Policy in relation to an Anti-Doing Rule Violation committed before their retirement date.8.4.4 A retired Athlete may make a written request to Gymnastics Australia for reinstatement as a member six months after their retirement date in accordance with Article 8.4.2. The athlete will also be required to complete the ASADA Reinstatement Request Form and return to GA. The request is taken to be made on the date Gymnastics Australia receives the request for reinstatement.
8.4.5 Reinstatement will be at the discretion of Gymnastics Australia.
8.4.6 If reinstatement is granted then this Policy will apply to the Athlete from the date of their reinstatement request.
8.4.7 During the 6 month period following the reinstatement request the Athlete must be available for unannounced Out-of-Competition Testing in accordance with this Anti-Doping Policy.
8.4.8 A retired Athlete may not compete in Competitions and Events conducted by or under the auspices of Gymnastics Australia or the FIG until the following periods expire:
- For international Competitions and Events
12 months from the date of Gymnastics Australia receives the reinstatement request.- For domestic Competitions and Events
6 months from the date of Gymnastics Australia receives the reinstatement request.8.4.9 An Athlete may apply to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and FIG Disciplinary Commission to be eligible to compete in international Competitions and Events before the period set out in clause 8.4.8 expires.
8.4.10 An Athlete may apply to the Anti-Doping Control Officer (ADCO) to be eligible to compete in domestic Competitions and Events before the period set out in clause 8.4.8 expires. The ADCO may grant the application if:
(a) the Athlete has been available for Out of Competition Testing;
(b) the results of the Out of Competition Testing have disclosed no violation of this Anti-Doping Policy; and
(c) there is no other evidence available to the ADCO to suggest that the Athlete has breached this Anti-Doping Policy during the period of the athlete's retirement.
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