Virtus is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code as the basis for the fight against doping in sport.
We treat the issue of doping very seriously. Competitors, coaches, member organisations, event organisers and Sport Technical Officers should read and understand the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) procedures carefully and ensure they are upheld at every opportunity.
The Anti-Doping Committee oversees all aspects of the Virtus anti-doping programme. The programme is based upon our Testing Pool policy (TP), and focuses upon in-competition testing at all organised events, therapeutic-use exemption management, and test-result management.
Resources and Guides
Anti-Doping Education is essential for all athletes’ development. Virtus has compiled together some tools and resources in various languages to support Member Organisations with education of coaches and athletes.
- Video: Level the Playing Field
- Video: Say No! to Doping
- Video: Doping Control Process
- Guide: Dangers of Doping
- Guide: The Doping Control Process
- Guide: Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) At a Glance
- Guide: Strict Liability
- Guide: Athlete Biological Passport
- Guide: Managing Supplement Risks (credit: UK Anti-Doping)
- Guide: Rights and Responsibilities of Athletes (credit: UK Anti-Doping)
- Guide: Rights and Responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel (credit: UK Anti-Doping)
- Guide: Introduction to Testing (credit: UK Anti-Doping)
- Guide: Anti-Doping Rule Violations (credit: UK Anti-Doping)
- Guide: Consequences of Doping (credit: UK Anti-Doping)
- Guide: Whereabouts and the Registered Testing Pool
Prohibited substances and methods
Each year, WADA publish a list of ‘banned substances and methods’ – that is substances and practices which are illegal in sport as have been deemed to be performance enhancing.
- 2022 Banned substances and methods
- 2023 Banned substances and methods (effective 1.1.2023)
Important note: There are important changes which take effect in the 2022 list, particularly in respect of Glucorticoids. A summary of these changes can be viewed here.
Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)
Athletes, like all others, may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications. If the medication an athlete is required to take to treat an illness or condition happens to fall under the Prohibited List, a TUE may give that athlete the authorisation to take the needed medicine.
TUE applications should be sent to the Anti-Doping Committee no less than 21 days before competition – sooner where possible. TUE applications should be sent using the form below. Please do not send TUE applications by email as this is not secure.
TUE’s are granted for a specific medication with a defined dosage. They are also granted for a specific period of time and do expire. The athlete needs to comply with all the treatment conditions outlined in the TUE Application.
Note 1: Any athlete who is competing in a World or Regional competition and is using a substance which appears on the banned list must apply to Virtus for a TUE.
Note 2: In certain cases, Virtus may recognise TUE’s issued by National Federations and some International Federations. Member Organisations should contact us for advice.
More information about TUE’s:
Virtus Anti-Doping Policy
Read the full Anti-Doping Policy (Section 4.2)
Further Information
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Virtus Ambassador - Yasmine Hassane from Egypt
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Virtus Ambassador- Ka Man Wong
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2022 Virtus Para-Equestrian Video Competition Round-2 results
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Neel Yadav Virtus Ambassador from India
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Virtus Ambassador- Alberto Campbell-Staines
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Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE - Virtus Ambassador
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Lenine CUNHA- Virtus Ambassador from Portugal
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Gabriel Bandeira - Virtus Ambassador
Virtus is the brand name of the International Sports Federation for athletes with intellectual impairment and is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee. Registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in the UK (1173901)