UKAD is an active participant in the global fight against doping in sport. It is the national body responsible for creating a UK-wide environment of confidence in clean sport.
Whether it is in relation to those competing, training or spectating, UKAD is working for everyone who loves sport. In the UK, it makes sure sports bodies comply with the World Anti-Doping Code through implementation and management of the UK’s National Anti-Doping Policy.
UKAD works with a variety of stakeholders, including athletes, to protect the right to enjoy doping-free sport in the UK.
Athletes will typically have to undertake clean sport education and must ensure they understand the anti-doping rules and protocols, such as 'Whereabouts', as well as what’s prohibited, plus more.
Make sure you know the Anti-Doping Rules.
Whilst none of us would expect an elite athlete to consider taking a banned substance, it is easier than you think for athletes to do so unintentionally and without realising, only to then receive a positive result for adverse findings. A simple mistake like this could result in a ban from sport of up to four years.
Most athletes during their career will receive some clean sport education delivered by UKAD. You should always ensure you are fully informed of the anti-doping rules and responsibilities, and that you are aware of the tools available to help you compete clean.
Why is education important? Athletes are solely responsible for any banned substance or method they use, attempt to use, or if a substance is found in their system. It does not matter whether you intended to cheat or not. We know that educated athletes are better enabled to reduce the risk of unintentional doping.
If you want to learn more, visit the Clean Sport Hub to complete some free e-learning.
Check any medication that you are considering taking on Global DRO (over the counter and prescription) before use. If you need further advice on this or are considering taking medication that has been obtained abroad, contact UKAD with the medication name and list of active ingredients via email to substance@ukad.org.uk, or search for the anti-doping status of each of the individual active ingredients using Global DRO.
If after checking your medication on Global DRO or with UKAD, you find that something is on the Prohibited List, you can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is the process of applying for permission to take medically prescribed medication(must be prescribed by a qualified medical professional to treat a condition)which contains a banned substance. If the medication is prohibited, you should use the UKAD TUE Wizard to find out if you then need to apply for a TUE and how. The UKAD TUE Wizard, is a tool designed to guide individuals through the requirements for TUEs.
Be wary of supplements. Athletes should assess the need and risks when using supplements and think carefully about the consequences. All athletes have the responsibility to undertake thorough research of any supplement product before use, this includes checking the product on Informed Sport. Please visit the UKAD Supplements Hub for further information.
There is no guarantee that any particular supplement is free from prohibited substances, so a food first approach to nutrition is always recommended by UKAD.
Testing is an important part of keeping sport clean. It is useful to know what to expect during a test (this test can be either for blood, urine, and/or dried blood spot). Dried blood spot testing (DBS) is a new form of analysis carried out in anti-doping. It involves a small puncture/incision to the skin (typically of the fingertip or upper arm) to access a very small amount of capillary blood. Although equipment for DBS testing can vary, it is important to remember that just like urine and blood sample collection, the process is compliant with the International Standard for Testing and Investigations. Athletes’ rights and responsibilities remain the same for DBS testing as they are for urine and blood. Athletes also learn about DBS testing in their UKAD Clean Sport Education.
For urine and blood sample collection, the kits may also look a little different in other countries than the ones used in the UK, but athletes shouldn’t be alarmed. There are various suppliers available worldwide, so the sample collection kits may vary depending on the Anti-Doping Organisations and International Federations carrying out the test. Remember, the Doping Control Form is there for you to make note of any concerns or issues faced during test.
Take a look at this video here to see what happens during a urine and blood test and familiarise yourself with your rights and responsibilities within testing here.
The Whereabouts system allows UKAD and other testing agencies to test athletes with no advanced noticed. Updating it is critical for athletes in the Testing Pool. Athletes can be tested any time, any place. If you are asked to provide Whereabouts information and do not to do so, you risk receiving a Whereabouts Failure and possibly a ban from sport. Athletes must enter this information via the Anti-Doping Administration Management System (ADAMS), managed by WADA.
If you have suspicions of doping, no matter how small, speak out. You can report your concerns of doping in confidence to UKAD via its Protect Your Sport channels. It takes a team to keep sport clean.
For more information and to keep up to date with everything clean sport, follow UKAD on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter @ukantidoping.
UKAD also has lots of advice, guidance, and videos on its 100% me Clean Sport app where you can have all the anti-doping reminders you need at the touch of a button.
It can get a little tricky keeping up with all the acronyms in high-performance sport. Keep track of them all below.
AMS – Athlete Medical Scheme
Medical insurance scheme which covers the costs of healthcare for funded athletes who are members of Olympic and Paralympic sports’ World Class Programmes.
APA – Athlete Performance Award
National Lottery-funded grant aimed to enable athletes to pursue medal success in the Olympic or Paralympic Games and in other major championship events.
BEAA – British Elite Athlete Association
The independent athlete representative body, providing support, representation, and community. Responsible for giving you confidential guidance and ensuring you’re represented in high-performance system decisions.
BOA – British Olympic Association
National Olympic Committee for the United Kingdom.
BPA – British Paralympic Association
National Paralympic Committee for the United Kingdom.
CMO – Chief Medical Officer
Medical professional to deal with all medical sporting needs.
HPS – High Performance System
All the organisations and funding systems in place to support Olympic and Paralympics sport in the UK.
IF – International Federation
IFs establish the rules that govern their sport and ensure they are applied. They are responsible for the technical aspects of their sport at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
IOC – International Olympic Committee
Serves as the overarching governing body of the Olympic Games and the leader of the Olympic Movement.
NGB – National Governing Body
An organisation that governs and administers a sport on a national basis.
NOC – National Olympic Committee
Is the British Olympic and Paralympic decision and policy making body.
PAA – Performance Athlete Agreement
Sets out requirements, expectations, and obligations of athletes and their National Governing Body on all matters relating to participation in the World Class Performance Programme.
PD – Performance Director
Closely monitor core aspects of the programme such as training and competition activity, delivery of athlete support, and development of team culture and the daily training environment.
PDA – Personal Development Award
Financial award to support WCP athletes, continue to develop as a person as well as a performer while on the WCP.
PL – Performance Lifestyle
Every funded current and transitioning athlete on the WCP is entitled to receive Performance Lifestyle support – a practitioner that provides holistic support to athletes.
PSP – Performance Support Personal
All practitioners that work within the WCP or high-performance system.
S&C – Strength and Conditioning
Coach who plans, delivers, and reviews the physical and physiological preparation of athletes aligned to specific sports performance outcomes.
SRUK – Sport Resolutions UK
Independent, not-for-profit, dispute resolution service for sport. It operates globally and offers arbitration, mediation, tribunal, investigation services among others.
TMA – Team Membership Agreement or Athlete Agreement
Sets out requirements, expectations, and obligations of athletes and their National Governing Body.
UKSI– UK Sports Institute
The largest single provider of science, medicine, technology, data, and engineering services within the sport sector to Olympic and Paralympic sports in the UK.
WCP – World Class Programme
Multi-agency and multi-disciplinary support for athletes in Olympic and Paralympic sports.
The Athlete Medical Scheme (AMS) is a medical insurance scheme which covers the costs of healthcare for funded athletes who are members of Olympic and Paralympic sports’ World Class Programmes.
National Governing Bodies – funded or unfunded – may also purchase places on the AMS at a cost agreed by UK Sport to provide medical cover to athletes not on a World Class Programme.
The aim of the AMS is to drive an efficient and effective medical scheme to develop athlete health and wellbeing. UK Sport pays an annual premium to cover the costs of claims and, subject to approval and conditions of cover, the athlete receives healthcare. It is a free service to athletes and no costs are recharged to their governing bodies.
When your funding comes to an end you are covered for three months for existing concerns as part of your transition support.
FAQs below or you can contact the BEAA's support team for more information.
Cover is usually provided by Bupa.
Athletes should have access to cover through their team doctor or physio. Any communication that BUPA have will go directly to you, so ensure your medical staff at your sport are up to date with the latest information.
You will be given a booklet in your welcome pack that is your Bupa membership guide. The typical cover is for muscles, bones and joints as well as mental health. Your programme medical staff will be able to provide further details.
Cover for pre-existing conditions lasts for three months after you have left the World Class Programme. No new injuries can be covered in this time.
Non-sporting medical issues can be covered if they have an effect directly on your sporting training or performance.