U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is the national anti-doping organization for the Olympic movement in the United States. USADA is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code which sets the guidelines for anti-doping policies and procedures. As an Olympic National Governing Body, USAT works with USADA on anti-doping initiatives within the Olympic, Paralympic and Pan American programs.
Testing
The primary focus of the anti-doping program is on elite athletes competing in the Olympic discipline. As a USA Triathlon member you may be subject to testing at an event or even out of competition. While testing of age-group athletes is not common, it can happen and all athletes/members should be aware of their rights and responsibilities as it relates to anti-doping procedures. To learn more about the testing process and your rights and responsibilities as an athlete, please visit www.usada.org/testing.
Prohibited Substances and Supplements
Knowing what substances you can and cannot take is a very important as a competitive athlete (elite or age-group). The WADA Prohibited List is the standard that identifies substances and methods that are prohibited in sport. Athletes should use the USADA resources to check all medications against this list. The follwoing resources were developed by USADA to assist you in this process:
USADA Athlete Guide for the 2013 WADA Prohibited List www.usada.org/prohibited-list/athlete-guide
Global Drug Reference Online: www.globaldro.com (also available on mobile devices!)
Drug Reference Phone Line: 800.233.0393 OR 719.785.2020 (available from 8 am - 4 pm MST)
Dietary supplements are not included in the Prohibited List and should be consumed at your own risk. The supplement industry lacks regulation and unfortunately some supplements can be tainted with a prohibited substance. This is a frustrating risk for many athletes. USADA has launched Supplement 411 to help athletes, coaches and other sport personnel better understand the risk and what they can do to decrease their risk.
Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)
Therapeutic Use Exemptions or TUEs allows athletes with legitimate medial needs to consume an otherwise prohibited substances. First, determine if your medication is prohibited by using the resources listed in the above section. If your medication is prohibited, click here to determine if you need a TUE.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I'm an elite athlete. How do I know if I'm in USADA's Registered Testing Pool (RTP)?
If you are entered into the RTP, you will receive notification along with information on what to do next directly from USADA. Athletes are added or removed from the RTP as they meet the set criteria for triathlon. The criteria is not made public as it’s always subject to change and ultimately USADA can make an executive decision on an athlete’s entrance or departure from the RTP.
Will age-group athletes be tested?
While more infrequent than elite athlete testing, age-group athletes can be tested as well. The majority of age-group athletes will only ever experience a doping control during a competition but it's still important to understand that testing can occur at any time. The testing of age-group athletes was incorporated into USAT's anti-doping initiatives in an effort to ensure clean sport regardless of athlete level.
Can taking a dietary supplement trigger a positive test?
Unfortunately yes, due to the lack of regulation present in today's nutritional supplement marketplace. To learn more about how to make an informed decision about dietary supplements, please visit USADA's Supplement 411 website. www.usada.org/supplement411
I'm a Race Director. How do I know if there will be testing at my event?
USA Triathlon personnel will contact the race director to inform them of testing efforts. USAT and the race director will then work together to designate a site coordinate who will assist USADA in their efforts during the event.
I'm a Race Director. Can I request testing at my event?
Yes, on a contract basis directly with USADA. Please click here for more information.
I'm a Coach. What can I do to better understand anti-doping and help my athletes?
USADA has resources within their True Sport program to help coaches and other educators become more informed and prepare their athletes. Please click here for more information http://www.truesport.org/resources/coach
For additional FAQs, please visit www.usada.org/faq
True Sport
Do you support clean sport and a fair playing ground? Do you stand for True Sport? Take the Pledge! www.truesport.org/pledge
Contact
If you have any questions about anti-doping policies and procedures, please contact USADA's Athlete Express.
Phone: 719-785-2000
Toll Free: 866-601-2632
Email athleteexpress@usada.org
