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WADA Drug-testing Guidelines: a review of the athlete's responsibility as a member of USA Powerlifting
The 2006 powerlifting season is now in full swing and with it will come a host of state, national, and international bench press and powerlifting championships. As everyone knows, at all of these championships, lifters will be subject to anti-doping controls through both in-competition testing [ICT] and out-competition testing [OCT].
In light of this, I would like to again address and touch on one very key and important issue. This issue concerns an athlete's role and [responsibility] to maintain their eligibility to compete not only in USA Powerlifitng, but the International Powerlifting Federation by knowing and understanding the rules and guidelines for drug-testing.
So what does all of this actually all mean to you as a member and lifter with USA Powerlifting? In a nutshell, as of January 01, 2005 both USA Powerlifting and the International Powerlifting Federation became official signatories to the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA). Moreover, as USA Powerlifitng and the International Powerlifting move toward USOC and IOC recognition, one of the major steps in the this recognition process is the acceptance of the WADA "Code" for dug-testing/doping control.
As mentioned in my April 2005 technical article, by USA Powerlifitng accepting "The Code", comes with it considerable and significant responsibilities, not only as an organization, but by ALL of its members. The code is far reaching, and applies to all USAPL lifters. This especially includes ALL national champions and USA national team members preparing for national, world and/or international competitions.
Key and important, ALL athletes within USA Powerlifting are subject to drug-testing both in contest and out of contest at any time. Furthermore, it is essential that that you know and understand the drug-testing process and the substances that you may be tested for after a sample is taken.
With this being understood, I must highly recommend that all members [especially lifters and coaches] review the current WADA guidelines and regulations, as well as the IPF Doping Rules. If you have not read them, please do so, it may prevent you from possibly losing your eligibility to compete and participate within future USA Powerlifting and the International Powerlifting Federation Championships.
If at any point you have a question on the doping control process or particular supplement or medicine, I suggest that you call the USADA toll-free hotline. Their telephone number is: 1.800.233.0393
If you are not in possession of a copy of these guidelines, they can be downloaded from the IPF web-page. The following web-link contains the WADA, and the IPF Anti-doping guidelines: http://www.powerlifting-ipf.com/anti_doping.htm
Overall, again, as a review, it is the responsibility for each athlete, as well as coaches to know and understand the WADA guidelines and the IPF Doping Rules. Again, failure to do so may result in the loss of your eligibility to lift in USA Powerlifting and the International Powerlifting Federation.
Finally, it goes without saying that drug-testing is the cornerstone and foundation of USA Powerlifting and is one of the main reasons OUR organization is the leading powerlifting federation in the United States, if not internationally.
In closing, as always, if you have any specific comments, concerns and/or questions, please forward them to me directly at: rhk@verizon.net Otherwise, I wish everyone the very best of success this year!
Kind and sincere regards,
Robert H. Keller
IPF Category I Referee
Member, IPF Doping Commission
Member, USAPL Drug-testing Committee
Interim Technical Chair - USA Powerlifting
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