Under the World Athletics Anti-Doping rules, athletes are responsible for knowing what substances and methods are prohibited, and are personally liable for any prohibited substance found in their system.

The presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete’s sample, or the use of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method, constitutes a doping offence under the World Athletics rules.

There are eleven anti-doping rule violations. In summary the eleven rule violations are:

  • the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in an athlete’s sample
  • the use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or method
  • evading testing or refusing to provide a sample for drug testing
  • failing to provide accurate and up-to-date whereabouts information or missing a test
  • tampering or attempting to tamper with any part of the doping control process
  • possessing prohibited substances or methods
  • trafficking or attempting to traffick any prohibited substance or method
  • administering or attempting to administer a prohibited substance or method to an athlete
  • covering up an anti-doping rule violation
  • an athlete associating with someone, such as a coach or medical professional, who has been found guilty of an anti-doping rule violation or equivalent
  • intimidating or threating somebody from reporting anti-doping information; or retaliating in a threatening manner after somebody has reported.

Read the 2021 Sports Anti-Doping rules here