All athletes have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean. We believe in clean sport and work in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and our International Federation (IF) TWIF to ensure that the integrity of our sport is protected.
Scottish Tug of War Association has in place a set of anti-doping rules that all athletes and athlete support personnel must abide by. The anti-doping rules for Scottish Tug of War Association are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport globally.
The anti-doping rules
of Scottish Tug
of War Association are the rules published by UK Anti-Doping (or its
successor), as amended from time to time.
If you are a member of Scottish Tug of War Association then the anti-doping rules apply to
you, regardless of what level you participate at. You can find the UK
Anti-Doping Rules here: https://www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rules.
From 1 January 2021, a new version of the Code is in effect and it’s important that all athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of how this impacts them.
For more information on the changes within the 2021 Code, visit https://www.ukad.org.uk/2021Code
Under
the 2021 Code, an athlete may be classified as being
“International-Level”, “National-Level” or a “Recreational Athlete” based
on their competition level. Further information on these different categories
is available on the UKAD website here: https://www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rules
Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The Code outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Athletes and athlete support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals, click here: https://www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rules
For information on individuals serving a ban from sport, visit
UKAD’s website here: https://www.ukad.org.uk/sanctions
An athlete is
responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there
or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes and athlete support
personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don’t receive an
unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on
the UKAD website here: https://www.ukad.org.uk/athletes
All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant
sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. The Prohibited List is managed and coordinated by WADA,
found on the WADA website (https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/science-medicine/prohibited-list-documents).
The
List is updated each year, coming into effect on 1st January. It is possible
for WADA to make changes to the List more than once a year, but they must
communicate such changes three months before they come into effect. As this list is updated annually, athletes and athlete
support personnel should make sure they check it ahead of it coming into
effect. More information can be found on the UKAD website here: https://www.ukad.org.uk/violations/whats-banned-sport-prohibited-list
Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at https://www.globaldro.com/Home. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit https://www.ukad.org.uk/athletes/checking-medications
Check out the video below from UKAD’s Athlete Commission member and British Paralympic Powerlifter, Ali Jawad, on using Global DRO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABLbo20B-3Q
UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition,
as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited
substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards their
targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is
possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types
at the right time, and in the right quantities.
Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit Informed Sport (https://www.informed-sport.com/) to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on the UKAD website here: https://www.ukad.org.uk/supplements-hub
If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs
to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a
Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other
suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a
strict, detailed process to determine this. Athletes can find out more
information about the TUE process on the UKAD website (https://www.ukad.org.uk/medicine)
and use the TUE Wizard (https://www.ukad.org.uk/tue-wizard) to find out whether
they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.
Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out this video below on the testing process from start to finish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzOnQBK_YZo
Athletes can find out more in the Testing section of UKAD’s website here: ttps://www.ukad.org.uk/athletes/introduction-testing
100% me is UKAD’s values-based education and information programme, helping athletes meet their anti-doping responsibilities throughout their sporting journey. We want all athletes to be clean, stay clean and believe all others are clean.
For more information on what this means, visit UKAD’s website (https://www.ukad.org.uk/athletes/100-me). UKAD’s 100% me Clean Sport App can also be downloaded for essential anti-doping information.
Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part - athletes, coaches, or parents - whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong - no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.
There are different ways to speak out:
· Email - When you feel something’s wrong, send an email. UKAD guarantee that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email at protectyoursport@reportdoping.com
· Online Form - Tell us what you know via our online form at https://forms.theiline.co.uk/ukad. You will remain anonymous as standard, but if you choose to share your details confidentially it could help us catch those in sport who seek to cheat
· 24/7 Hotline - Call on 08000 32 23 32. We are here to listen. If you prefer to remain 100% anonymous you can. Or if you share your details, they will be kept confidential, and may help keep sport clean
Find out the more about speaking out and Protect Your Sport here: https://www.ukad.org.uk/protect-your-sport
Please do not hesitate to ask questions about the anti-doping rules. As well as asking Scottish Tug of War Association and athlete support personnel, athletes may also contact UKAD directly, who will be able to answer any questions and provide guidance. They can be contacted at ukad@ukad.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 842 3450.
Regular updates from UKAD can also be found in the News
section of UKAD’s website (https://www.ukad.org.uk/news), or on their Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ukantidoping.