Swim England
Anti-Doping
21 February 2022Swim England passionately believes that all athletes have the right to compete in all aquatic sports knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean.
We strongly believe in clean sport and work closely with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and our International Federation World Aquatics to ensure that the integrity of all aquatic sports is protected at all times.
Anti-doping rules
Swim England is signed up to the British Swimming anti-doping rules that all athletes and athlete support personnel must abide by. The anti-doping rules for British Swimming are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport globally. The anti-doping rules of British Swimming are available here.
If you are a member of Swim England, then the anti-doping rules apply to you, regardless of what level you participate at as any athlete at any time can be tested. You can find the UK Anti-Doping Rules here.
Unless you are part of a GB squad or have been informed as being part of a ‘National TUE Pool’ then you do not need to declare any medication in advance to us, however if you are tested or competing abroad, please see below information in ‘Doping Control’, ‘In-Competition Testing’ and ‘Offshore competition medication checks’ regarding what to do.
If you have any questions please email [email protected].
From 1 January 2021, a new version of the Code is in effect and it’s important that all athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of how this impacts them.
For more information on the changes within the 2021 Code, visit UKAD’s website here.
Under the 20212 code, an athlete may be classified as being ‘international level’, ‘national level’ or a ‘recreational athlete’ based on their competition level. Further information on these different categories is available on the UKAD website.
Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The Code outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Athletes and athlete support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals, click here.
For information on individuals serving a ban from sport, visit UKAD’s sanction page on their website.
If an athlete is subject to doping control they should ensure they provide detail of all of medications (prescribed or over the counter and including dosage) and supplements on the Doping Control Form. Any previously disclosed medications or supplements to your club and/or British Swimming or your home nation do not form part of doping control.
Please inform Jane Smith, British Swimming Performance Administration Officer by email at [email protected] immediately (on the day of the test) if you are subject to an in-competition doping test. This is because if you are is taking medication it may show up as a banned substance. In this case a Retroactive Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) form would need completing. Details of TUE are listed below.
An athlete is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes and athlete support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on the UKAD website.
All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. The Prohibited List is managed and coordinated by WADA, found on the WADA website here. The List is updated each year, coming into effect on 1st January. The 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods can be found by clicking here. It is possible for WADA to make changes to the List more than once a year, but they must communicate such changes three months before they come into effect. As this list is updated annually, athletes and athlete support personnel should make sure they check it ahead of it coming into effect. More information can be found on UKAD’s website here.
Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit UKAD’s website here.
UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.
Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub here.
If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. Athletes can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website here and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.
If an athlete is subject to doping control they have 5 working days to make a Retroactive TUE application to UK Anti-Doping UK Anti-Doping (deadline can be extended but notification is required within 5 working days).
Retroactive procedure for an Asthma TUE
If an athlete is subject to doping control they have 5 working days to notify UK Anti-Doping of the use of terbutaline. Once UK Anti-Doping are notified, a Retroactive Asthma TUE application will only be required in the event of an Adverse Analytical Finding being returned.
If an athlete IS WITHIN the National TUE Pool they are required to obtain a TUE before using a prohibited medication or method. You can check if you are within the National TUE Pool via https://www.ukad.org.uk/national-tue-pool and selecting ‘aquatics’.
If an athlete is NOT within the National TUE Pool but using a prohibited medication or method and is subject to doping control they are required to apply for a retroactive TUE and you should contact Jane Smith ([email protected] or 07917 834785) as soon as possible after doping control. A retroactive TUE must be submitted to UKAD within five (5) working days of the receipt of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF).
If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. Athletes can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website here and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.
Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out this video below on the testing process from start to finish.
Athletes can find out more in the Introduction to Testing section of UKAD’s website.
100% me is UKAD’s values-based education and information programme, helping athletes meet their anti-doping responsibilities throughout their sporting journey. We want all athletes to be clean, stay clean and believe all others are clean.
For more information on what this means, visit UKAD’s website here. UKAD’s 100% me Clean Sport App can also be downloaded from iTunes, Google Play or Windows Live Store, for essential anti-doping information.
Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part – athletes, coaches, or parents – whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong – no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.
There are different ways to speak out:
- Email – When you feel something’s wrong, send an email. UKAD guarantee that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email at [email protected]
- Online Form – Tell us what you know via our online form on protectyoursport.co.uk. You will remain anonymous as standard, but if you choose to share your details confidentially it could help us catch those in sport who seek to cheat
- 24/7 Hotline – Call on 08000 32 23 32. We are here to listen. If you prefer to remain 100% anonymous you can. Or if you share your details, they will be kept confidential, and may help keep sport clean
Find out the more about speaking out and Protect Your Sport here.
Please do not hesitate to ask questions about the anti-doping rules. As well as asking Swim England and athlete support personnel, athletes may also contact UKAD directly, who will be able to answer any questions and provide guidance. They can be contacted at [email protected] or +44 (0) 207 842 3450.
Regular updates from UKAD can also be found in the news section of their website, or on their Twitter account: @ukantidoping.
If you require support or have a query about any medications, supplements or the anti-doping rules please contact Jane Smith at British Swimming via [email protected] or 07917 834785.