Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Anti-Doping Information

Anti-Doping Information

USRowing is committed to fair play. All athletes participating in selection for, and competing as a member of, all U.S. national rowing teams must be in compliance with United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), International Olympic Committee (IOC), United States Olympic Committee (USOC), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), FISA and USRowing rules and requirements relating to banned substances, including but not limited to undergoing testing and obtaining and maintaining current therapeutic use exemptions as needed. Failure to adhere to anti-doping rules and requirements may result in an athlete losing eligibility to compete for the United States.
Athletes are responsible for consulting USADA and WADA resources prior to taking any medications or other substances to ensure what they are taking is not prohibited.
Scroll down for more information on:
  1. The WADA Prohibited List
  2. In-Competition Testing
  3. Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs)
  4. Out of Competition Testing & the Registered Testing Pool
  5. Retirement
  6. Dietary Supplements & Energy Drinks
  7. Performance Enhancing Substances
For General Anti-Doping Inquiries, please contact Wendy Wilbur at Wendy.Wilbur@usrowing.org.

To complete the USRowing Anti-Doping Acknowledgement, please click here
If you have a question pertaining to a medication or substance you are taking, please contact a member of our medical committee:

1. The WADA Prohibited List

The WADA Prohibited List is updated on January 1st annually. The Global Drug Reference Online (DRO) is a searchable database of the WADA Prohibited List, and is also updated annually. The DRO is the easiest way to check the status of your medications, or to check the status of a specific ingredient.
If athletes have any questions, they should call the USADA Athlete Express at (800) 233-0393 or email AthleteExpress@USADA.org
For more information on the Prohibited List, please see the
Athlete Guide to the WADA Prohibited List.

2. In-Competition Testing

All competing athletes at USRowing and FISA events are subject to In-Competition drug testing conducted by USADA. Athletes should be prepared for testing prior to competing at any USRowing or FISA event. To ensure your compliance prior to competition, please follow this pre-event checklist:
Please note– It is the athletes' responsibility to ensure that they are USADA and WADA compliant before competition.
  1. Check Your Medication
    To check the status of your medication against the WADA prohibited list, please check the Global Drug Reference Online. To speak with an expert, you can also call the USADA Drug Reference Line at 800-233-0393. Keep in mind, these resources do not provide guidance on nutritional supplements. For guidance on nutritional supplements, please visit http://www.usada.org/supplement411, or see the section below entitled "Dietary Supplements & Energy Drinks."
  2. Therapeutic Use Exemptions
    Depending on the condition of your medication, you may have to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). If a substance you are taking requires a TUE, you must have an approved TUE at the time of competition– a TUE pending approval is not acceptable. Please note that a TUE will not always be granted. For more information on TUEs, please scroll down.
  3. Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
    At any USRowing and FISA event, all participants are subject to testing. If you are selected, know your rights and responsibilities during the testing process including sample collection process rights and responsibilities, minor athletes rights, and disabled athlete rights.
  4. Familiarize Yourself with the Sample Collection Process
    If you are selected for testing, you are subject to both blood and urine testing. The processes are designed to be effective, yet safe and comfortable for the athlete. Understanding the processes should help to make them less intimidating.
  5. After the Event
    USADA will send a copy of your results to the address that is listed on the Doping Control Official Record. Learn more about the results management process.

3. Therapeutic Use Exemptions

The USADA TUE policy is consistent with the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions and is designed to protect the rights of clean athletes. All TUEs can be submitted to USADA, and will be passed on to FISA for approval if that athlete will be competing at a FISA Sanctioned event. To determine if you need a TUE, please follow the steps below:
For questions regarding TUEs, please contact Dr. Peter Wenger at wengermd@gmail.com.
1. Determine the Status of your Medication
Search your medication on the Global DRO to determine its prohibited status. Substances will fall into one of three categories.
  • Not Prohibited In-Competition or Out-of-Competition (STOP HERE – No TUE or further action required)
  • Prohibited In-Competition and Not Prohibited Out-of-Competition (Continue to Step 2)
  • Prohibited In-Competition & Prohibited Out-of-Competition (Continue to Step 2)
  • Conditional In- or Out-of-Competition (Continue to Step 2)
Not Sure? Contact the USADA Athlete Express Hotline at (800) 233-0393 or AthleteExpress@USADA.org
2. Complete a TUE Pre-Check Form
If you are an athlete in the process of trying out for a National Team (or planning on competing in a FISA sanctioned event), you are in the Registered Testing Pool, or you have ever tested positive for a banned substance, you will need to complete a TUE. Processing the TUE can take up to 30 days. For a blank TUE, please scroll down.
All other athletes can complete a TUE Pre-Check Form on USADA's website to see if they are required to submit a TUE. The form can be found HERE. It will assist you in determining whether or not you need a TUE.
3. Take Action
Based on the results of the Pre-Check form, you may need to apply for a TUE (below).
For a blank TUE form, PLEASE CLICK HERE

4. Out of Competition Testing & the Registered Testing Pool

In addition to undergoing in-competition testing, certain athletes will be registered by USRowing in the USADA registered testing pool (RTP), making them subject to out of competition testing by USADA and/or WADA.
Who is in the RTP?
The following athletes will be enrolled by USRowing in the USADA Registered Testing Pool (RTP):
  • Most National Team members from the most recent Senior World Championship team, Pan American Team, or Olympic/Paralympic Team.
  • Athletes who have been identified by World Rowing.
Once an athlete has met the criteria to be added to the Registered Testing Pool for USADA they remain in the Registered Testing Pool until they no longer meet the established criteria, or until the next Senior World Championship Team has been named, or until the athlete officially retires. Athletes who meet the criteria at an NSR, or through Selection Camp, will remain in the pool until the Senior World Championship Team for that year is named, at which point they would need to meet criteria 1 to remain in the pool. Athletes will receive notification from USADA when they are added to, or removed from, the Registered Testing Pool. Athletes are not officially removed from the RTP until they have received removal confirmation from USADA.
What does it mean to be in the RTP?
These athletes will be required to submit detailed "Quarterly Whereabouts Filings" once enrolled. Athletes in the RTP are subject to out-of-competition testing at any time while enrolled in the pool.
Whereabouts
Athletes in the USADA Registered Testing Pools must submit a "Quarterly Whereabouts Filing". These athletes provide information including their living address, training location, training schedule, regularly scheduled activities schedule, competition schedule and travel schedule. Athletes may be tested by USADA and/or WADA. Athletes are responsible for keeping their whereabouts up-to-date and accurate, and are responsible for submitting all USADA paperwork on time. Once enrolled in the RTP, athletes will be contacted with instructions on submitting whereabouts. To update or make changes to whereabouts after they have been submitted, athletes can: Whereabouts Failures
All athletes in the RTP who do not file their Quarterly Whereabouts Filing by the established deadline will be issued a Filing Failure. A Filing Failure falls under the category of a Whereabouts Failure. Providing whereabouts information that is incomplete or does not provide detailed location information is also a Filing Failure.
Athletes are notified by USADA of the established deadlines for submittance of "Quarterly Whereabouts Filings". Athletes should submit their "Quarterly Whereabouts Filing" prior to the established deadline via the USADA website.
Another type of Whereabouts Failure is a Missed Test. If an athlete is not available for testing at the locations indicated on his/her Whereabouts Filing, s/he is at risk of being issued a missed test.
In order to prevent a "Missed Test" you should update immediately if you:
  • Will not be available during your 60 minute window
  • Will be attending a competition you did not include on your whereabouts filing
  • Will not be attending practice on a day you indicated you would be
  • Will be traveling out of town for the weekend or overnight
  • Will be doing a personal appearance/clinic out of town
  • Will be leaving for a competition a day earlier than you indicated you would
  • Will be practicing at a different location than is listed on your Whereabouts Filing
  • Will be practicing at a different time than is listed on your Whereabouts Filing
  • Will be living at a new address/phone number
If an athlete is issued three "Whereabouts Failures" in 12 months, this is considered an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV). This violation could result in possible loss of an athlete's USOC funding, possible loss of medals, prizes, and prize money, possible loss of an athletes' ability to compete in that sport, possible loss of an athletes' eligibility to compete at the Olympics or

RTP (Registered Testing Pool):
Who is included:
  • Athletes identified by USADA for inclusion
  • Athletes who fail to comply with expectations while in the Clean Athlete Program
  • Athletes in their International Federation's Registered Testing Pool
  • Sanctioned Athletes
What are the Whereabouts requirements?
  • Required to file and update Whereabouts in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Standard for Testing & Investigations. Required information includes:
    • Daily overnight location
    • Training locations and times
    • Competitions
    • Other regularly scheduled activities, such as school and/or work locations
    • Daily 60-minute window.
  • Keep Whereabouts information updated as locations and schedules change.
What are the Whereabouts deadlines?
  • Deadlines for Whereabouts submissions will be the 15th of the month ahead of each quarter.
    • Quarter 1 – December 15
    • Quarter 2 – March 15
    • Quarter 3 – June 15
    • Quarter 4 – September 15
What are the education requirements?
  • Complete the annual Athlete's Advantage education tutorial each year
Testing:
  • Subject to unannounced out-of-competition testing at any time and at any location, as well as in-competition testing.
Compliance:
  • Subject to Whereabouts failures in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standard for Testing & Investigations
CAP (Clean Athlete Program):
Who is included:
  • May include athletes who are selected for a national team or are representing Team USA at international competitions.
  • Athletes identified by USADA for inclusion
  • Athletes with specific competition results
What are the Whereabouts requirements?
  • Required to submit basic contact information twice a year. Required information includes:
    • A primary overnight location
    • Typical training location(s)
    • Competition schedule
  • Ensure Athlete Express basic summary information is accurate at all times.
  • No "daily" updating required when their schedule changes from what was submitted to USADA
  • No 60-minute window required
What are the Whereabouts deadlines?
Deadlines for CAP Whereabouts submissions will be the 15th of the month ahead of the next two quarters.
  • Q1 & Q2 – December 15
  • Q3 & Q4 – June 15
What are the education requirements?
  • Complete the annual Athlete's Advantage education tutorial each year
Testing:
  • May be selected for testing based on in-competition v. out-of-competition risk, as well as training and competition schedules
Compliance:
  • Non-compliance may result in the athlete being moved to the RTP for a minimum period of nine months
  • NOT subject to Whereabouts failures
 

5. Retirement

Athletes who are retiring from the sport of rowing can remove themselves from the RTP by e-mailing USADA at athleteexpress@usada.org. Until confirmation of retirement from USADA has been received, athletes should continue to abide by all rules and adhere to all RTP deadlines.
In accordance with USADA's retirement policy, if an athlete wants to come out of retirement and return to eligible status, he/she must enroll in the USADA RTP at least six months prior to participating in any Competition or Event sanctioned or organized by the USOC, any national or regional championship sanctioned by an NGB or any other member of the USOC or who wishes to participate on any team organized or nominated by the USOC, or any International Event.
To re-enroll in the USADA RTP, an athlete must send a return from retirement statement through courier, fax, or e-mail (athleteexpress@usada.org) to USADA. If an athlete sends the return from retirement statement via e-mail, the statement must come from an e-mail address that is on file with USADA.
Please contact Wendy Wilbur at 609-751-0714 or Wendy.Wilbur@usrowing.org with questions, or for more information.

6. Dietary Supplements & Energy Drinks

If you choose to take supplements, you must educate yourself on the risks. Below are some FAQs in regards to Dietary Supplements and Energy Drinks, as adapted from USADA's TrueSport program. For more information, please see the Resources section below.
What is a dietary supplement?
Dietary supplements are products containing dietary or nutritional ingredients intended to supplement the diet.
If a dietary supplement claims it is "natural," does that make it safe?
Just because a product claims to be natural does not make it safe to use. There are many natural substances that are toxic, poisonous, or deadly if used.
Can I guarantee the accuracy of the ingredients listed on the label of my supplement?
Due to minimal regulations in the supplement industry, some products are mislabeled, include too much or too little of intended ingredients, are contaminated by substances such as pesticides or heavy metals or may be inadvertently tainted with sport-prohibited or potent substances due to cross-contamination. In addition, some companies sometimes label a product natural even when all of the ingredients have been synthesized in a lab. You cannot rely on the label to tell you what is in the bottle.
How does a product come to be labeled as a dietary supplement?
Just because a product is labeled as a supplement doesn't mean that the product or the ingredients have been inspected by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). No supplement is approved by the FDA.
What are the possible side effects of energy drinks?
Heart palpitations, headaches, respiratory distress, insomnia, tremors/shaking, dizziness, agitation/restlessness, chest pain, gastrointestinal upset, tingling or numbness of the skin. In the case of an overdose, one may experience confusion, breathing trouble, muscle twitches, convulsions, fever, hallucinations, vomiting, increased thirst, irregular or rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, and an appearance of nervousness.
Resources:

7. Performance Enhancing Substances

Performance enhancing substances can ruin an athlete's career, health, and personal life. As an athlete, you are always responsible for what goes into your body. Below are some FAQs in regards to Performance Enhancing Substances, as adapted from USADA's TrueSport program. For more information, please see the Resources section below.
What is a Performance Enhancing Substance?
Typically, a substance or method is performance enhancing when it improves sport performance and poses a health risk to an athlete. Performance enhancing substances range from steroids to prescription drugs that are taken for a non-legitimate use.
What are some of the physical side effects of performance enhancing substances?
Acute, or short term, side effects include a sudden change in physical appearance, a sudden shift in performance level (up or down), increased or flared acne on the body, nausea, tremors, cardiac arrhythmia.
Chronic, or long term, side effects include increased risk of heart attack, stroke and seizures, weakening of the immune system, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and sexual side effects (for example, breast development in males).
Remember– as an athlete you are always responsible for what goes into your body. Never take a substance unless you are fully aware of what it contains. If you are required to take a banned or conditional substance for medical reasons, please scroll up to the section entitled Therapeutic Use Exemptions.
Resources: Â