What is Prohibited?

Human

Anything that is included in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)’s List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (“the List”)  is prohibited. The list is updated at least annually and the 2024 Prohibited List is in force for the Paris 2024 Olympic & Paralympic Games. Substances that have a similar chemical structure or biological effect to those listed are also prohibited. If you are tested and your sample is positive for one of the substances on the List this will be considered as an anti-doping rule violation unless you hold a corresponding Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). Remember that under the principle of Strict Liability, the athlete is solely responsible for everything they use and that is found in their bodily specimen (e.g. urine, blood) regardless of whether there was an intention to cheat or not or if the athlete is at fault.

In addition to testing positive for a prohibited substance, there are 10 other categories of anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs). Seven (7) of these anti-doping rule violations can be committed not only by athletes but also by other persons, including athlete support personnel.

The 11 categories of anti-doping rule violations are:

Presence

(An athlete tests positive for a prohibited substance)

​Use

(An athlete uses or tries to use a prohibited substance or method).

Evading sample collection

(An athlete does not go to the Doping Control Station when notified for testing, or refuses to take a test, or does not provide a complete sample).

Whereabouts failures

(A Registered Testing Pool athlete is not where they said they will be in their 60-minute time slot (Missed Test), or does not submit their whereabouts on time, or submits incomplete or wrong information Filing Failure)). Any combination of three Whereabouts failures (Filing Failure and/or Missed Test) with in a 12-month period may constitute an ADRV.

Tampering

(An athlete or other person interferes with the testing or doping control process, including during the prosecution of a case).

Possession

(An athlete or athlete support personnel has a prohibited substance in their possession).
Trafficking (An athlete or other person handles, transports, sells or attempts to sell prohibited substances).

Administration to an athlete

(An athlete or other person gives or tries to give a prohibited substance to an athlete).
Complicity (An athlete or other person helps or tries to help cover up doping, or is involved in doping in any way).
​Prohibited association (An athlete or other person works with or seeks help or services from an athlete or athlete support personnel who is serving a period of suspension). 
Discourage or retaliate (An athlete or other person threatens someone from reporting suspected doping or tells them not to report doping, or seeks revenge against those who have reported doping).

   Horses

The FEI publishes the Equine Prohibited Substances List Any substance featured on the list must not be present in the horse’s body during the FEI On-site Jurisdiction Period.

Substances that have a similar chemical structure or biological effect are also prohibited.

Care must be taken to ensure that prohibited substances are not still present in the horse’s body following an earlier treatment and that any feeds, supplements or topical preparations used do not contain prohibited substances.

You can find out how to check if a substance can be used here. The FEI also publishes an online educational course on equine prohibited substance which can be accessed here.

The Equine Prohibited Substances List is also produced as a database and a mobile app.

It is not only a positive test that can result in an EADCM violation. Any of the following actions may result in legal proceedings and the possibility of disqualification and loss of medals:

Refusing to submit the horse for sampling when selected.

Possession of a banned substance.

Tampering with any part of the sampling equipment and process.
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