Anti-Doping

Basketball Ireland’s policy is that doping is contrary to the spirit of sport and every member has a duty to ensure that the sport is free of doping.

Basketball Ireland - Clean Sport Commitment Statement
Basketball Ireland has adopted the Sport Ireland and World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) position that cheating, including doping, in sport is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport, undermining the otherwise positive impact of sport on society.

All club personnel have a responsibility to ensure that club members are aware of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules and that there is an atmosphere supporting a drug free sport within the club. A complete copy of the Irish Anti-Doping Rules is available below. This page provides up-to-date information from World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Sport Ireland, FIBA and Basketball Ireland rules and regulations in the area of doping.

The consequences of not adhering to Anti-Doping rules can be severe for athletes and their support personnel such as coaches and parents; therefore it is critical that any questions/concerns be clarified with either the Anti- Doping Officer in Basketball Ireland or Sport Ireland.

Basketball Ireland is fully committed to ensuring doping has no place in the sport of basketball.

Basketball Ireland works with Sport Ireland and FIBA in its anti-doping efforts. Rules apply to athletes and athlete support personnel. The Irish Anti-doping Programme seeks to preserve the spirit of sport. By virtue of their participation in Basketball Ireland activities, members, including minors, agree to abide by the Anti-Doping Rules.

The following sections highlight key areas with regard to Anti-Doping. Basketball Ireland advises all members to read and understand the anti-doping rules and to understand your responsibilities under the rules. The consequences of not adhering to Anti-Doping rules can be severe for athletes and their support personnel such as coaches and parents; therefore it is critical that any questions/concerns be clarified with either the Basketball Ireland Anti-Doping Officer or Sport Ireland.

Irish Anti-Doping Rules

Under the Irish Anti-Doping Rules, Sport Ireland carries out drug testing on behalf of Basketball Ireland.

Sport Ireland has reviewed the Irish Anti-Doping Rules to ensure compliance with the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code. All relevant documents can be downloaded below.

2021 Irish Anti-Doping Rules which will come into effect on January 1st 2021.

For full information on Anti-Doping please see https://www.sportireland.ie/anti-doping-rules

Medicine Checker Website

Republic of Ireland:

Athletes can now check the status in sport of all medication purchased in the ROI here medcheck.sportireland.ie. All athletes must check the status of all medication before consumption.

Northern Ireland/ UK/ Canada/ USA:
Medications bought in Northern Ireland, U.K., U.S.A and Canada can be checked on www.globaldro.com

Prohibited Substances & Methods

Under the Irish Anti-Doping Rules, Sport Ireland carries out drug testing on behalf of Basketball Ireland. These measures come into effect on January 1st, 2022.

Sport Ireland has reviewed the Irish Anti-Doping Rules to ensure compliance with the 2022 World Anti-Doping Code. All relevant documents can be downloaded below:

2023 WADA Prohibited List - which will come into effect on January 1st 2023
2023 WADA Monitoring Programme - which will come into effect on January 1st 2023
Glucocorticoids and Therapeutic Use Exemptions

These documents are also available on https://www.sportireland.ie/anti-doping-rules

WADA publishes its Prohibited List annually and the 2024 list has now been published. This List shall come into effect on 1 January 2024.

2024 Prohibited List - 2024
2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes (you can use this document to familiarise yourself with the changes)

As of 1st Jan 2024, Tramadol is prohibited In-Competition as approved by the WADA Executive Committee on 23rd September 2022. Please see attached a tramadol fact sheet for medical professionals designed by WADA plus additional information at this link Tramadol-Factsheet-for-Medical-Professionals

International Federation Rules

Basketball Ireland must also adhere to the rules of our International Federation, FIBA.

Full details on the International Federation Anti-Doping Programme are available at: https://www.fiba.basketball/anti-doping

Athletes/Squad members attending International Events need to check in particular the regulations regarding TUE requirements of the International Federation in relation to competing at International Events, e.g. if a Sport Ireland TUE Certificate of Approval is accepted or if an athlete needs to re-apply to the International Federation etc.

Athletes should verify the rules and regulations with their medical officer/ team manager or Basketball Ireland Anti-Doping Officer Harry Doyle hdoyle@ireland.basketball

What do members need to know?

In principle any athlete competing in basketball can be tested so each athlete regardless of the level at which they are competing needs to be aware of the anti-doping rules.

(1) WADA Prohibited List – Checking Medications & TUE Policy

The World Anti-Doping Agency issues a Prohibited List annually. For information on the Prohibited List see which can be found in the Athlete Zone of Sport Ireland website, https://www.sportireland.ie/anti-doping/athlete-zone/athlete-zone

Note: Recreational Drugs are tested in-competition.

Check the status of over-the-counter and prescribed medications in relation to the Prohibited List, based on where you purchase the medication:

If a medication is prohibited, you must check and adhere to the Sport Ireland TUE Policy at https://www.sportireland.ie/anti-doping/athlete-zone/athlete-zone/therapeutic-use-exemptions
As per this policy, if you compete at international level, it is your responsibility to check the FIBA TUE Policy at https://www.fiba.com/downloads/v3_expe/medi/2012_TUE_application_procedure.pdf

(2) Sample Collection Procedures

For information on the Sample Collection Procedures that are adhered to when athletes are tested, the following resources are available:

• Check out https://www.sportireland.ie/anti-doping/education-zone/education-zone to see what happens in a drug test
• Read the leaflet ‘Sample Collection Procedures – Urine and Blood’, available on request from hdoyle@ireland.basketball

Education
• Check out the e-learning programme also

(3)Supplements

Athletes need to be aware that there are risks associated with the use of sports supplements with many positive drug tests associated with their use. For more information, read the Sport Ireland Supplements and Sports Food Policy at https://www.sportireland.ie/anti-doping/athlete-zone/supplements-and-herbal-remedies

Useful fact sheets in relation to supplements are available on the Institute of Sport website at: https://www.instituteofsport.ie/new-page/

(4) Registered Testing Pool

Athletes are informed directly by the Irish Sports Council when they are included on the Registered Testing Pool. Athletes on the RTP can be tested anywhere, anytime with no advance notice. Athletes must comply with the RTP requirements such as TUE and Whereabouts requirements. See Registered Testing Pool Information here.

(5) National Testing Pool

The National Testing Pool (NTP) consists of athletes who are in National Squads and Development Squads, who attend training organised by Basketball Ireland. Athletes in the NTP can be drug tested both in- and out-of-competition. Out-of-competition testing will mainly be based on squad/team training sessions but the Irish Sports Council may test an athlete at their home address. Both urine and blood samples can be requested.

Info
Further Information
Check out https://www.sportireland.ie/anti-doping for further information on these topics or to order education resources for you and your club