FBBFK accepts the WADA World Anti-Doping Code and applies the rules of the IFBB, the European federation and the Anti-Doping Agency of Kosovo (KOS-ADA). The rules apply to all athletes and athlete support personnel (coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, parents, etc.) of the Federation’s clubs, and to every athlete taking part in competitions organised or authorised by FBBFK.
Useful links: WADA – World Anti-Doping Agency · WADA Prohibited List · IFBB anti-doping page [link to be added].
The key principle: the athlete is responsible
Every athlete has a personal duty to ensure that no prohibited substance enters their body. To establish a violation, there is no need to prove intent or negligence: it is enough for the substance to be found in the sample. This also applies to food supplements: athletes are responsible for whatever they consume.
What counts as a violation
- the presence of a prohibited substance (or its markers) in an athlete’s sample;
- the use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method;
- evading, refusing or failing to provide a sample without good reason;
- failing to meet whereabouts obligations (three failures within 12 months);
- tampering with doping control;
- possession, trafficking or administration of prohibited substances;
- assisting or covering up another person’s violation;
- working with support personnel who have been sanctioned for doping.
The Prohibited List
The list of prohibited substances and methods is published and updated by WADA (www.wada-ama.org). Every athlete must be familiar with the current version of the list. Some substances are prohibited at all times, others only in competition.
Testing
- The Federation may request a sample from athletes at any time and in any place, in and out of competition.
- Samples are analysed only in WADA-accredited or WADA-approved laboratories.
- Athletes in the registered testing pool must notify the Federation of their whereabouts, keep that information accurate and be available for testing.
- Athletes who are not in this pool but wish to take part in certain competitions may be required to provide whereabouts information before the competition.
- Athletes who retire from the sport and wish to return must notify the Federation in advance (usually six months before their return) and be available for testing.
Therapeutic use exemption (TUE)
If an athlete needs a medicine that is on the Prohibited List, they must apply for a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) using the official form. For substances prohibited only in competition, the application must be made at least 30 days before the competition, except in emergencies. International-level athletes apply under the rules of the international federation. A retroactive TUE is granted only in exceptional cases, e.g. emergency treatment.
Athletes’ rights
- to be informed promptly of the alleged violation;
- to be heard by an impartial panel within a reasonable time;
- to present evidence and witnesses;
- to be represented by a lawyer and to have an interpreter if needed;
- to request analysis of the B sample;
- to appeal against the decision; for international-level athletes, the appeal goes to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Consequences
A violation leads to disqualification from the competition and the loss of medals, points and prizes, as well as a period of ineligibility (a ban from the sport). Its length depends on the type of violation and the degree of fault, and repeat violations can lead to a lifetime ban. Sanctions are published in accordance with the Code. Clubs that do not comply with the rules may also be sanctioned.
Duties of support personnel
Coaches and doctors must know the rules, cooperate with the testing programme and have a positive influence on athletes. A doctor who prescribes a prohibited substance to an athlete must inform the athlete of this.