IMAC Anti-doping policy
On the 1st of January 2015, a new world anti-doping code came into effect. From this date the Irish Sports Council and those who have adopted the Irish Sports Council rules must comply with their responsibilities under the new code.
The policy of the Irish Martial Arts Commission is that doping is contrary to the spirit of FAIR PLAY and all members have a responsibility to ensure that our sport is free of doping.
Irish Anti-Doping Rules 2015 Version 2.0
On January 1st 2019, a revision version of the 2015 Irish Anti-Doping Rules came into effect. Please below a copy of the 2015 Irish Anti-Doping Rules Version 2.0 and a summary of changes in relation to Version 2.0.
All martial artist/ athletes, coaches, parents and club personnel should refer to the information below with regard to the new WADA 2015 code.
Supplements
Athletes/competitors need to be aware that there are risks associated with the use of sports supplements with many positive drug tests associated with their use.
If a player is contemplating supplementation as a nutritional strategy, we advise that you seek professional assistance from a professional sports dietician. Only batch tested supplements should be used. Batch tested products can be checked using the following link: https://www.informed-sport.com/
Taking medication to treat a medical condition
You may not realise it but the medication you take regularly to treat a medical condition (Asthma, Diabetes, Hay-fever, Hypertension, etc.) could contain a substance which is on the banned list. The easiest way to check your medication is to look it up on the Eirpharm website www.eirpharm.com (medications purchased in the Republic of Ireland) or www.globaldro.com (medications purchased in Northern Ireland). For instant access to the Drugs in Sports Database, download the free Medication Checker App on iPhone or Android.
Remember, Strict Liability applies:
What does this mean?
It means that each athlete/competitor is strictly liable for the substances found in his or her bodily specimen, and that an anti-doping rule violation occurs whenever a prohibited substance (or its metabolites or markers) is found in bodily specimen, whether or not the athlete/ competitor intentionally or unintentionally used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.
Anti-doping education is available for any youth and senior squads who wish to enhance knowledge in this area. We recommend that all athlete/ competitors and support personnel including managers, coaches, medical personnel, nutritionists and officials/ referees complete the following course: e-learning course.
The course covers key topics in anti-doping including the following:
Anti-doping rule violations
Testing procedures blood & urine
How to check medications
Therapeutic Use Exemptions
The risk of supplements and herbal remedies
Consequences of doping
At the very end a certificate of completion will generate, which all athletes and coaches are encouraged to save this for own records.
If you would like to have a look at the course, you can create a login here http://elearning.sportireland.ie/login/index.php
What IMAC members need to know
WADA Prohibited List – Checking Medications & TUE Policy
The World Anti-Doping Agency issues a Prohibited List annually. For information on the Prohibited List see link below:
https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/wada_2019_english_prohibited_list.pdf
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.
Republic of Ireland:
Drugs in Sport Database on www.eirpharm.com
For instant access to the Drugs in Sport Database, download the free ‘Medication Checker’ App available for iPhone and Android for Eirpharm – find it in the Apple iTunes Store or on Google Play
Medications bought in the Republic of Ireland can be checked by your G.P., Consultant or Pharmacist in a monthly publication called MIMS Ireland. Ensure the current month’s edition is checked.
Northern Ireland/ UK/ Canada/ USA:
Medications bought in Northern Ireland, U.K., U.S.A and Canada can be checked on https://www.globaldro.com/Home
Therapeutic Use Exemption
Martial Artist, like all others have illness or conditions that require them to take particular medications. All competitors/ athletes should check their prescribed and over the counter medications to see if they are permitted. If the medication you require falls under the World Anti- Doping Agency prohibited list, you may need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
If a medication is prohibited, you must check and adhere to the Irish Sports Council TUE Policy at;
Anti-Doping Rule Violations
Presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolites or markers in an athlete’s sample (known as a positive result), which indicates the presence of a prohibited substance or its metabolite(s) or of marker(s) of the use of a prohibited substance in a urine and/or blood sample collected from an athlete and analyzed by a WADA-accredited Laboratory.
Use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method
Evading, refusing or failing to submit to sample collection
Whereabouts failures (any combination of three missed tests and/or filing failures within a 12-month period by an athlete)
Tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control
Possession of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method
Trafficking or attempted trafficking in any prohibited substance or prohibited method
Administration or attempted administration to any athlete in-competition of any prohibited substance or prohibited method, or administration or attempted administration to any athlete out-of-competition of any prohibited substance or any prohibited method that is prohibited out-of-competition
Complicity (assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, conspiring, covering up or any other type of intentional complicity involving an anti-doping rule violation)
Prohibited association
Anyone, whether an athlete, coach, team staff, medical personnel, parent or official, can report a doping misconduct and any act or omission that could undermine the fight against doping. If you have detected, identified, witnessed or know of, or have reasonable grounds for suspecting that cheating has occurred, you can contact, in strict confidence, the Anti-Doping for further guidance or any question you may have.
Who to Contact:
Irish Martial Arts Commissions at anti-doping@imac.ie
You can also complete and submit an anonymous online form https://www.sportireland.ie/Anti-Doping/Report-Doping/
Sending an email to intelligence@sportireland.ie
Useful links
Sport Ireland education zone: https://www.sportireland.ie/Anti-Doping/Education-Zone/
https://www.wada-ama.org/sites/default/files/wada_2019_english_prohibited_list.pdf
TUE Form: https://www.sportireland.ie/Anti-Doping/Athlete-Zone/Therapeutic-Use-Exemptions-/
https://www.sportireland.ie/Anti-Doping/Support-Personnel/Therapeutic-Use-Exemptions-/