WADA publish first ever Athlete Reference Guide

The ‘Athlete Reference Guide to the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code’ marks a significant step forward in ensuring that all athletes understand their anti-doping rights and responsibilities.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has announced the publication of the ‘Athlete Reference Guide to the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code’.

The guide, which will act as a crucial point of reference for all athletes looking to enhance their knowledge of the Code, has been championed by members of the WADA Athlete Committee throughout the course of 2013 and 2014.

The WADA Athlete Committee, whose job it is to represent the views and rights of athletes worldwide, have led and directed the project in time for the introduction of the revised Code at the start of 2015. The document – which is purely a guide, and will not supersede the Code itself – will help athletes the world over better understand the anti-doping framework, rules and regulations.

Providing an explanation of athletes’ roles and responsibilities, the guide details what constitutes an anti-doping rule violation, information on the Prohibited List and supplements, and information on matters ranging from the ‘Whereabouts’ rule to Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), amongst other topics.

“Long in the making, the ‘Athlete Reference Guide to the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code’ marks a significant step forward in ensuring that all athletes, no matter what sport they play or which country they come from, understand their anti-doping rights and responsibilities,” said Sir Craig Reedie, WADA President.

“Many of the more technical aspects of the Code can be difficult to understand and, whilst the Code itself is still the legal document that athletes are held accountable to, this reference guide will help individuals better understand many crucial areas of anti-doping, from supplements to doping control, and the prohibited list to new terms such as ‘prohibited association’.”

The ‘Athlete Reference Guide to the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code’ is now available on the WADA's website.