WADA prohibited list

 

The Prohibited List (List) identifies substances and methods prohibited in-competition, always and in particular sports. Substances and methods are classified by categories (e.g. steroids, stimulants, masking agents). The List is updated at least annually following an extensive consultation process facilitated by WADA.

It is each athlete’s responsibility to ensure that no prohibited substance enters his/her body and that no prohibited method is used.

The list can be checked in this website: World Anti-Doping Code | World Anti Doping Agency (wada-ama.org)

The List only contains the generic names of the pharmaceutical substances. The List does not contain brand names of the medications, which vary from country to country. Before taking any medication, an athlete should check with the prescribing physician that it does not contain a prohibited substance:

  1. Check that the generic name or International Non-proprietary Name (INN) of any active ingredient is not prohibited.
  2. Check that the medication does not contain any pharmaceutical substances that would fall within a general category that is prohibited. Many sections of the Prohibited List only contain a few examples and state that other substances with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s) are also prohibited.
  3. Be aware that intravenous infusions and/or injections of more than 50mL per 6-hour period are prohibited, regardless of the status of the substances.
  4. Be aware that since 1 January 2022, all injectable routes of administration will now be prohibited for glucocorticoids during the in-competition period. Note: Oral administration of glucocorticoids remains prohibited in-competition. Other routes of administration are not prohibited when used within the manufacturer’s licensed doses and therapeutic indications.

 

ATHLETE’S THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION PROCESS – TUE

What is a therapeutic use exemption (TUE)?

Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete is required to use to treat an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List a TUE may give that athlete the authorization to use that substance or method while competing without invoking an anti-doping rule violation. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, the TUE Committee (TUEC) from the IPSF.

What do I need to obtain a TUE?

There are four criteria which ALL must be met:

  • The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method.
  • The therapeutic use of the substance will not, on the balance of probabilities produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health.
  • The prohibited substance or method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative.
  • The necessity to use that substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.

How and when to apply for a TUE?

Athletes who are subject to anti-doping rules would need a TUE to take a prohibited substance or use a prohibited method. You should verify with the IPSF to know to whom you need to apply and if you can apply retroactively, send your questions at the email address: anti-doping@ipsfsports.org

  1. Check if the required medication or method you intend to take, or use is prohibited as per the WADA Prohibited List in the year you are competing.
  2. Inform your physician (s) that you are an Athlete bound to anti-doping rules. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO INFORM YOUR PHYSICIAN.
  3. You and your physician(s) should check the Prohibited List for the substance/method you are prescribed. If the substance/method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives, if there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember Athletes have the ultimate responsibility. Contact your NADO or the IPSF anti-doping chair if you are having difficulties.
  4. Contact the IPSF anti-doping chair, Dr. Andrea Avila to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements.
    • If it is determined that you are an International-Level Athlete [Every athlete competing at the World Pole & Aerial Championships in every division and category] you must apply to the IPSF in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances.
    • For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition, unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs apply.
    • If you already have a TUE granted by your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO), the IPSF automatically recognizes the TUE decisions. In such case, please notify the IPSF anti-doping chair that you have a TUE granted by your NADO.
    • If you are NOT an International-Level Athlete and you have been tested by your NATIONAL POLE SPORT FEDERATION, the IPSF recognizes a valid TUE granted by your NADO; unless you are required to apply for recognition of the TUE because you are competing in an international event.

How to apply for a retroactive TUE?

You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to the IPSF if:

  • You required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition.
  • There was insufficient time, opportunity or other exceptional circumstances that prevented you from submitting the TUE application, or having it evaluated, before getting tested.
  • You are a National Level Athlete (Athletes competing nationally in every competing division and category) who is not under the jurisdiction of the NADO and were tested.
  • You tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition.
Important note
Using a prohibited substance or method without a TUE could result in an Anti-Doping Rule Violation. In case an application for a retroactive TUE is necessary following sample collection, you are strongly advised to have a medical file prepared and ready to submit for evaluation.

How to apply to the IPSF for a TUE?

Electronic TUE form

Please complete the IPSF’s TUE Application Form. You will be required to add your medical documentation and pay for this. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact anti-doping@ipsfsports.org.

Your TUE application must be submitted in ENGLISH, with legible capital letters or typing.

The medical file must include:

  • A comprehensive medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s) (where possible)
  • The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application.
  • An amount of £100 must be paid by the athlete for the documentation to be analyze by the TUEC.
  • Further additional requirements such as additional medical examinations, tests, imaging studies, etc. are at the responsibility of the Athlete.
  • Any TUE application that is not complete or legible will not be dealt with and will be returned for completion and re-submission.

To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for TUE applications for guidance and support, and TUE Physician Guidelines for guidance on specific common medical conditions, treatments, substances, etc.

Keep a complete copy of the TUE application form and all medical information submitted in support of your application, and proof that it has been sent.

What constitutes doping?

Is considered Doping as the occurrence of one or more anti-doping rule violations. Currently, there are 11 rules, that specify the circumstances that constitute a rule violation.

Is the responsibility of pole athletes as well as the athlete support personnel (Family members, partners, coach, medics, physiotherapist), to know what constitutes an anti-doping rule violation, as well as the prohibited substances and methods included in the prohibited list.

The 11 rules are:

Strict Liability

What does ‘Strict Liability’ mean?

  • The principle of strict liability applies to all athletes who compete in any sport with an anti-doping program. It means that athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance, or its metabolites or markers found to be present in their urine and/or blood sample collected during doping control, regardless of whether the athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or method. Therefore, it is important to remember that it is each and every athlete’s ultimate responsibility to know what enters their body.
  • The rule which provides that principle, under Code Article 2.1 and Article 2.2, states that it is not necessary that intent, fault, negligence, or knowing use on the athlete’s part be demonstrated by the Anti-Doping Organization to establish an anti-doping rule violation.

Whereabouts

What are testing pools and why are whereabouts important for clean sport?

Out-of-competition testing with no-advance notice is one of the most powerful means of deterrence and detection of doping. To support this type of testing, the IPSF has created testing pools as part of its testing program. In the mean to long term, certain athletes will be part of the IPSF’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) and will be required to provide information on their whereabouts in ADAMS, WADA’s online anti-doping administration and management system. From 2025, the IPSF will create a pool that will include Target Testing Athletes based on the following criteria:

  • Athletes from countries who have large teams, and large competitions. These competitions usually make it more difficult for an athlete to go and represent their country at the World Championships, thus meaning a higher competitive spirit, and thus encouraging doping amongst those athletes who may not have qualified before to enable them to replace the incumbents.
  • Athletes from countries where the qualifying scores are identified to be particularly high. The IPSF judging system is standardized, and while there will most certainly be overlap between this group and the first group, we also believe that strangely high scoring countries should be investigated. This can be further filtered into the focus of out-of-competition testing – those athletes qualifying with very high scores, but then achieving low scores at the World Championships would be higher on the priority list for out-of-competition testing in order to determine whether doping had any role in their high qualifying score.
  • Athletes who qualify for their third (or more) consecutive World Championships – the pressure to remain at this level definitely takes a toll on the body, and thus the allure of doping may be higher amongst these athletes.
  • Athletes who compete regularly meaning athletes that has been compeeting in two consecutive editions of the World Pole & Aerial Championships and have been part of the podium, the pressure to remain at this level might increase the risk of use of banned substance.
  • Athletes in receipt of public funding
  • Athletes serving a period of Ineligibility or a Provisional Suspension
  • Athletes who were high priority for Testing before they retired from the sport and who now wish to return from retirement to active participation in the sport
  • Repeated failure to meet whereabouts requirements
  • Association with a third party (such as a team-mate, coach or doctor) with a history of involvement in doping
  • Reliable information from a third party, or intelligence developed by or shared with the Anti-Doping Organization

Aditionally, testing by Random Selection has been taking place since 2022 and will continue, since it can play an important deterrent role, as well as helping to protect the integrity of the sport. This pool will not be considered a RTP, but is the first step in the procees of having a more efficient anti-doping program.

How do athletes know they need to provide whereabouts?

All athletes will be informed in the mid to long term about the creation of a RTP by the IPSF. Those athletes included in the RTP will need to provide whereabouts in ADAMS and will be notified by the IPSF of their inclusion in a testing pool as well as what information exactly is required of them, how to use ADAMS, deadlines to submit this information and any consequences if the information required is not submitted.

What do RTP/TP athletes need to know?

Currently, the IPSF will work on education for athletes, athlete support personnel and coaches on RTP and whereabouts.

Consequences of doping in pole sport

The misuse of drugs can be harmful and dangerous to an athlete’s health and to other athletes competing in the sport. It affects greatly the integrity, image, and value of sport, whether the motivation to use drugs is to improve performance or not.

“To achieve integrity and fairness in sport, a commitment to clean sport is critical.”

Doping also has severe health consequences and has social, financial and even legal consequences. For an athlete, doping could mean the end of their sporting career, reputation and prospects in and out of sport.

  • The sanctions for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) can include:

    • Provisional Suspension. The athlete or other person is temporarily banned from participating in any competition or activity while waiting for the results management process to be complete or until the final decision is rendered.
    • The athlete or other person is not allowed to compete or participate in any other activity, such as training, coaching, or even access to funding. This period of ineligibility can be as long as 4 years or even life depending on the circumstances.
    • Disqualification of results. The athlete’s results during a particular period, competition or event are invalidated.
    • Public Disclosure. The IPSF or the National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) informs the general public of the Anti-Doping Rule Violation

  • The health consequences to an athlete can include:

    • Physical health. Doping products may have negative side effects on health depending on the substance, the dosage and the consumption frequency.
    • Psychological health. Some doping substances may have an impact on the athlete’s mental health. Anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders or psychosis are direct consequences from doping.

  • Some of social consequences of doping include:

    • Damage to reputation and image. This can be permanent with media attention, furthermore, future clean performances can be met with skepticism.
    • Damage to future career prospects.
    • Isolation from peers and sport.
    • Damaged relationships with friends and family.
    • Effects on emotional and psychological well-being.
    • Loss of standing, fame, respect and credibility.

  • The financial consequences of doping can include:

    • Fines that IPSF may have. Including costs associated with an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
    • Loss of income/financial support, such as government funding, other forms of financial support and by not participating in the competitions. Furthermore, loss of financial support due to withdrawal of sponsor.
    • Requirement to reimburse sponsor, if included in the contract.
    • Reimbursement of prize money.
    • Impact of damaged reputation on future career prospects.

Testing procedures

The aim of testing is to protect clean athletes through the detection and deterrence of doping.

Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of the IPSF may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in- or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine sample.

Sample Collection Process:

  • During the World Pole & Aerial Championship, an athlete can be selected for testing at any time in the venue.

  • A Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone will notify the athlete of their selection and outline their rights and responsibilities.

  • The athlete should report to the doping control station immediately after being notified. The DCO may allow a delay in reporting for a valid reason.

  • The athlete is given a choice of individually sealed sample collection vessels and kits to choose from.

  • They must inspect the equipment and verify the sample code numbers.

    • Providing the sample: The athlete will be asked to provide the sample under the direct observation of a DCO or witnessing chaperone of the same gender.
    • Volume: A minimum 90mL is required for urine samples. If the first sample is not 90mL, the athlete may be asked to wait and provide an additional sample.
    • Splitting the sample: The athlete will split their sample into A and B bottles.
    • Sealing the samples: The athlete will seal the A and B bottles in accordance with the DCO’s instructions.
    • Measuring specific gravity: The DCO will measure the specific gravity of the sample to ensure it is not too dilute to analyze. If it is too dilute, the athlete may be asked to provide additional samples.

Athlete's rights during the sample collection process

  • The athlete has the right to see the identification of the Doping Control Officer (DCO).

  • The athlete has the right to request additional information about the sample collection process, about the authority under which the sample collection will be carried out, and about the type of sample collected. 

  • The athlete has the right to hydrate.

  • The athlete has the right to be accompanied by a repreentative and, if available, an interpreter.

  • The athlete has the right to request a delay in reporting to the doping contrl station for valid reasons.

  • The athlete has the right to request modificationsfor an impairment that they may have.

  • The athlete has the right to be informed of their rights and responsibilites.

  • The athlete has the right to receive a copy of the records of the process.

  • The athlete has the right to further protections if they are classified as a "protected person" due to their age or lacj of legal capacity.

  • Requires and attend the B sample analysis (in the case of an Adverse Analytical Finding)

Further information

For further information, please check the following video: World Anti-Doping Agency - The Doping Control Process for Athletes (youtube.com)

The IPSF considers that most Pole Sport Athletes are clean and intend to play and compete following the rules. However, whether it is fear of failure, ignorance, bad advice by their support personnel or in the need to speed up the recovery, the use of prohibited substances or methods can be seen as one option in specific moments.

The IPSF priority is to safeguard the physical and mental health of the Pole Athletes ensuring also an equal competition. That is why, the IPSF accepted the World Anti-Doping Code, becoming a signatory under WADA approval.

WADA was established in 1999 as an International independent agency composed and funded by the sport movement and governments of the world. Its mission is to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for a doping-free sport through harmonizing, coordinating and monitoring anti-doping rules and policies across all sports worldwide.

The World Anti-Doping Code is the core document that harmonizes anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organizations and among public authorities around the world. It works in conjunction with mandatory International Standards and non-mandatory guidelines.

Adherence to the International Standards is mandatory for compliance with the Code that the IPSF accepted officially.

The IPSF Anti-Doping Program seek to preserve what is intrinsically valuable about sport. This intrinsic value is often referred to as “the spirit of sport”. It is the pursuit of human excellence through the dedicated perfection of each person’s natural talents.

The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind, and is reflected in values we find in and through sport, including:

Clean Sport

 

WHAT ARE THE ORGANIZATIONS INVOVED IN PROTECTING CLEAN SPORT?

 WORLD ANTI-DOPING AGENCY (WADA)

WADA was established in 1999 as an international independent agency to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport. WADA’s governance and funding are based on equal partnership between the Sport Movement and Governments of the world.

WADA’s primary role is to develop, harmonize and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries. WADA’s key activities include:

 For more information about WADA, consult WADA website: Raising the game for clean sport | World Anti Doping Agency (wada-ama.org)

 

INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS

IFs [IPSF in our sport] are responsible for implementing an effective and Code-compliant anti-doping program for pole sport. Under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), IFs are required to carry out the following anti-doping activities:

If you have any anti-doping queries, please contact the IPSF Anti-Doping Chair at anti-doping@ipsfsports.org

NATIONAL ANTI-DOPING ORGANIZATIONS (NADOs)

NADOs are organizations designated by each country as possessing the primary authority and responsibility to:

Check the following link to find out who to contact in your country: Code Signatories | World Anti Doping Agency (wada-ama.org)

REGIONAL ANTI-DOPING ORGANIZATIONS (RADOs)

In a few regions of the world, countries have pooled their resources together to create a RADO responsible for conducting anti-doping activities in the region in support of NADOs.

RADOs bring together geographically clustered groups of countries where there are limited or no anti-doping activities, for which they take over responsibility including:

WHAT DO ATHLETE AND ATHELTE SUPPORT PERSONNEL NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ANTI-DOPING?

Athletes, their support personnel and others who are subject to anti-doping rules all have rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).

We strongly recommend that athletes and their support personnel read the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act that you can find here:

Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act | World Anti Doping Agency (wada-ama.org)

Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act

Athletes’ RightsAthletes’ Responsibilities

Equal opportunities in their pursuit of sport, free of participation by other athletes who dope

Comply with the ADO’s Anti-Doping Rules in line with the World Anti-Doping Code

Equitable and fair testing programs

Being available for sample collection when called

A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) application process

Always Remaining within direct observation of the Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone from notification until the completion of the sample collection process

To be heard, to have a fair hearing within a reasonable time by a fair, impartial and operationally independent hearing panel, with a timely reasoned decision specifically including an explanation of the reasons of the decision

Providing identification upon request during the sample collection process

Right to appeal the hearing decision

Ensuring that no prohibited substance enters their body and that no prohibited method is used to them

Any ADO that has jurisdiction over them will be accountable for its action and an athlete shall have the ability to report any compliance issue

Ensuring that any treatment is not prohibited according to the Prohibited List in force and checking this with the prescribing physicians, or directly with the IPSF if necessary

Ability to report Anti-Doping Rule Violations through an anonymous mechanism and not be subjected to threats or intimidation

Applying to the relevant ADO if no alternative permitted treatment is possible and a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is required

Receiving anti-doping education

Reporting immediately for sample collection after being notified of being selected for doping control

Fair handling of their personal information by ADOs in accordance with the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information and any local applicable law

Ensuring the accuracy of the information entered on the Doping Control Form (DCF) and cooperate with the ADOs investigating Anti-Doping Violation Rules

To pursue damages from another athlete whose actions have damaged that athlete by the commission of ah Anti-Doping Rule Violations

Not working with coaches, trainers, physicians or other athlete support personnel who are ineligible on account of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation or who have been criminally convicted or professionally disciplined in relation to doping

Athletes’ support personnel and other persons also have rights and responsibilities under the Code:

Athletes’ support personnel rights and responsibilities

Rights

Responsibilities

Right to a fair hearing, before an independent hearing panel

Using their influence on athlete values and behaviors to foster clean sports behaviors

Right to appeal the hearing decision

Knowing and complying with all applicable anti-doping policies and rules in line with the Code

Rights regarding data protection, according to WADA rules and any applicable law

Cooperating with the athlete doping control program
 

Cooperating with ADOs investigating Anti-Doping Rule Violations
 

Informing the IPSF and/or NADO if they have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation in the last 10 years
 

Refraining from possessing a prohibited substance, administering any such substance or method to an athlete, trafficking, covering up an anti-doping rule violation or other forms of complicity and associating with a person convicted of doping.
Below you will find a full list of the scheduled IPSF competitions for 2026.
 
This list was last updated on April 2026.
Please note: Where TBC is specified, the National Federation has not yet confirmed the information. This is subject to change.
 
  

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