As of 1 January 2009, the new World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) will come into effect. Athletes and sporting organisations, including CAMS and all its members, licensed officials and competitors are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new code, as it will form the basis of the new Anti Doping Policies which will be introduced by all sports, including motor sport.

Don’t be mistaken, the new code and the new Anti Doping Policy will apply to you. While there are a lot of amendments, the major changes have been highlighted below.

- Clarification that the Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) of ‘Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method’ is one of strict liability. This means that regardless of an athlete’s intent, any use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or method will be considered a violation.

- A new system of sanctions will be introduced that allows more flexibility in imposing periods of ineligibility following many ADRVs.

- Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ATUE) have been abolished. These were easy to apply for and obtain, however now any competitor previously using ATUEs will have to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) and will need to be familiar with the process for doing so. This process is now completely carried out outside of CAMS. All competitors must now contact the Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee directly. See www.asdmac.gov.au for more information on TUEs. Failure to hold an ASDMAC authorised TUE will almost certainly lead to sanctions (suspension of your competition licence) if you return a positive test for a substance for which you have been prescribed, irrespective of CAMS knowing about the matter or not.

- Competitors with an Australian Sports Drug Medical Advisory Committee (ASDMAC) approved TUE may not apply at international sanctioned events. Athletes competing at international-level events must seek advice from their International Federation.

- For some substances (e.g. anabolic steroids and hormone modulators), provisional suspension will be mandatory following an ‘A Sample’ Adverse Analytical Finding. This means that if you test positive, CAMS will have no option but to require you to immediately either voluntarily suspend your licence and not compete until a tribunal hearing has determined the whole issue, or to attend a tribunal which will be convened within 24 hours to determine if your licence should be suspended pending a full Tribunal hearing.

- Changes to many of the definitions contained in Appendix 1 of the Code and other provisions throughout the Code should be read by all competitors and athletes.

The new Code is available on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)