Raft racing competition sanctioned by the United States Rafting Association follows the World Anti-Doping Code through United Rafting, the sport’s international federation. This page explains what that means for U.S. athletes and their support personnel.
This page is informational. The rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency, United Rafting, and the relevant anti-doping organization govern in the event of any difference.
What WADA Is
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is the international body that develops and harmonizes anti-doping rules across sports and countries. It publishes the World Anti-Doping Code, the annual List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, and operates ADAMS, the database used for anti-doping records and exemption applications.
WADA does not test athletes and does not grant Therapeutic Use Exemptions. It writes the rules, hears appeals, and audits the decisions made by anti-doping organizations.
Who Handles Testing and Exemptions
Testing, exemptions, and results management are handled by anti-doping organizations, not by WADA and not by the USRA. For raft racing, that works as follows.
- United Rafting is the anti-doping organization for raft racing. United Rafting is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code and has no delegation agreement with any other body, so exemption applications and anti-doping questions go to United Rafting through the USRA.
- No U.S. National Anti-Doping Organization covers raft racing. USADA’s remit is Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Parapan American sport. Do not send an application to USADA; it has no authority over raft racing and a misdirected application leaves you without a valid exemption.
- An exemption from another sport does not carry over. A TUE may be submitted to only one organization. If you hold one granted elsewhere, tell the USRA so it can be confirmed with United Rafting before you compete.
Start with the USRA. Contact the USRA anti-doping point of contact, who will route your application and confirm the current process with United Rafting. Testing at international events may be carried out by the host country’s anti-doping organization or another body under arrangements made by United Rafting, so carry your exemption certificate with you when you travel.
The Prohibited List
The List of Prohibited Substances and Methods is a mandatory International Standard under the World Anti-Doping Code. WADA updates it every year following consultation, and each new List takes effect on 1 January. Substances and methods are prohibited at all times, in competition only, or in particular sports.
“In-competition” is a defined period. It begins at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a competition you are scheduled to take part in and runs through the end of that competition and any related sample collection. A substance prohibited in competition only can still produce a positive test if it is in your body once that window opens.
- Prohibited at all times: non-approved substances, anabolic agents, peptide hormones and growth factors, beta-2 agonists, hormone and metabolic modulators, diuretics and masking agents, and the prohibited methods of blood manipulation, chemical or physical tampering, and gene or cell doping.
- Prohibited in competition: stimulants, narcotics, cannabinoids, and glucocorticoids.
- Prohibited in particular sports: beta-blockers, in disciplines where they may improve steadiness or control. Check whether a restriction applies to your discipline rather than assuming it does not.
Four Things Athletes Get Wrong
- Strict liability. You are responsible for everything in your body, including anything in a dietary supplement. Not knowing is not a defense.
- Not every prohibited substance is named. A substance can be prohibited because it belongs to a listed class, has a similar structure or effect, or has no regulatory approval for human therapeutic use anywhere. Absence from the List is not clearance.
- Cannabis is prohibited in competition. It remains detectable well after use, which matters when racing follows travel and social events.
- The List changes annually. What was permitted last season may not be permitted this season. Re-check every January.
Check the status of a specific medication at GlobalDRO.com before you take it, not after.
Therapeutic Use Exemptions
An athlete may have an illness or medical condition requiring medication that contains a prohibited substance, or that must be given by a prohibited method. A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) permits that treatment on the basis that it treats the condition rather than conferring a competitive advantage. It allows athletes to be treated properly without risking a sanction.
- When to apply. As soon as the medication or route of administration is prescribed. For substances prohibited in competition only, apply at least 30 days before competing.
- Who completes it. Your physician completes the TUE form and supplies the supporting medical information. WADA publishes checklists by condition; incomplete applications delay the decision.
- Where it goes. Through ADAMS, or on a form submitted to your anti-doping organization. A TUE may be submitted to only one organization.
- Decision. A Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee reviews the application and must decide within 21 days of receiving a complete submission. You will receive a certificate or letter.
- If granted. The TUE specifies dosage, frequency, route of administration, and duration. If any of those change, notify the organization that approved it.
- If refused. The organization explains why, and the decision can be appealed. National-level athletes appeal to the relevant national appeal body. International-level athletes may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport or ask WADA to review.
If you hold a TUE covering a period in which you may be selected for international competition, tell the USRA anti-doping contact. Keep your certificate with your travel documents.
Planning Ahead for International Competition
For a crew aiming at a World Cup or World Championship, start the exemption process well before team selection rather than after entries are submitted. The 30-day rule and the 21-day decision window mean a late application can leave an athlete unable to compete.
Contact
USRA anti-doping point of contact: to be confirmed. Questions from athletes, coaches, and team personnel can be directed to the USRA through the contact page.