ATHLETE’S THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION PROCESS
✅ WHAT IS A THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE)?
Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete is required to use to treat an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List a TUE may give that athlete the authorization to use that substance or method while competing without invoking an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and applicable sanction. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, the TUE Committee (TUEC).
✅ WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING A TUE?
All of the four following criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.2):
- The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method;
- The therapeutic use of the substance will not, on the balance of probabilities produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health;
- The prohibited substance or method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative;
- The necessity to use that substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.
✅ WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR A TUE? WHERE AND WHEN TO APPLY?
The International Union of Kettlebell Lifting (IUKL) has delegated responsibility for all TUE applications to the Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA), started from January 2025. This means that the POLADA TUEC will be fully responsible for the TUE application process for all international-level athletes that fall under IUKL’s jurisdiction.
Athlete who are subject to anti-doping rules would need a TUE to take a prohibited substances or use a prohibited method. You should verify with the POLADA to know to whom you need to apply and if you can apply retroactively.
First, check if the required medication or method you intend to take, or use is prohibited as per the WADA Prohibited List [Prohibited List / page] You may also use a ‘check your medication’ online like GlobalDro or ask your NADO if it has one.
You have a responsibility to inform your physician(s) that you are an Athlete bound to anti-doping rules. You and your physician(s) should check the Prohibited List for the substance/method you are prescribed. If the substance/method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives, if there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember Athletes have the ultimate responsibility. Contact your NADO or POLADA if you are having difficulties.
Then, contact IUKL confidential.iukl@gmail.com to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements.
International-Level Athlete Definition
(a) Athletes included in the IUKL Registered Testing Pool, Testing Pool and any other pool if established by IUKL;
(b) Athletes who compete in any of the following International Events: Open European and Asian Championship, World Championships (Juniors), World Championships, World Cups and World Grand Prix.
If it is determined that you are an International-Level Athlete you must apply to POLADA in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances.
For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition, unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs (see below) apply.
Please refer to the section “How to apply to POLADA for a TUE?” below.
If you already have a TUE granted by your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO):
Your NADO’s TUE is only valid at the national level, and you must submit a request for recognition to POLADA. Please refer to the section “How to submit a request for recognition of your NADO’s TUE to POLADA?” below.
- If you are NOT an International-Level Athlete and you have been tested by IUKL, POLADA’s TUEC recognizes a valid TUE granted by your NADO (i.e., it satisfies the ISTUE criteria for granting a TUE); unless you are required to apply for recognition of the TUE because you are competing in an international event.
If you are NOT a National-Level Athlete as defined by your NADO and you have been tested by IUKL, you must apply for a retroactive TUE to the POLADA’s TUEC.
✅ CAN I GET A RETROACTIVE TUE?
You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to the POLADA TUEC if:
- You required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition.
- There was insufficient time, opportunity or other exceptional circumstances that prevented you from submitting the TUE application, or having it evaluated, before getting tested.
- You are a lower-level athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of IUKL or NADO and were tested.
- You tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition (for example glucocorticoids).
In rare and exceptional circumstances and notwithstanding any other provision in the ISTUE, you may apply for and be granted retroactive approval for a therapeutic use of a prohibited substance or method, if considering the purpose of the Code, it would be manifestly unfair not to grant a retroactive TUE.
This unique retroactive TUE will only be granted with the prior approval of WADA (and WADA may in its absolute discretion, agree with or reject the POLADA TUEC decision).
Important note:
Using a prohibited substance or method without a TUE could result in an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.
In case an application for a retroactive TUE is necessary following sample collection, you are strongly advised to have a medical file prepared and ready to submit for evaluation.
✅ HOW TO APPLY TO POLADA FOR A TUE?
IUKL encourages you to submit TUE applications via ADAMS, together with the required medical information. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact IUKL confidential.iukl@gmail.com to have it set up.
Otherwise, please download the TUE Application Form (found here), and once duly completed and signed, send it together with the required medical file to POLADA tue@antydoping.pl
Your TUE application must be submitted in legible capital letters or typing.
The medical file must include:
- A comprehensive medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s) (where possible);
- The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application.
Any costs incurred by the Athlete in making the TUE application and in supplementing it as required by the TUEC are the responsibility of the Athlete.
Any TUE application that is not complete or legible will not be dealt with and will be returned for completion and re-submission.
To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for TUE applications for guidance and support, and TUE Physician Guidelines for guidance on specific common medical conditions, treatments, substances, etc.
Keep a complete copy of the TUE application form and all medical information submitted in support of your application, and proof that it has been sent.
✅ HOW TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION OF MY NADO’S TUE TO POLADA?
Your request for recognition should be submitted to the POLADA’s TUEC in writing quoting your ADAMS TUE reference number.
Keep a complete copy of the proof that your request for recognition has been sent to POLADA’s TUEC.
✅ WHAT HAPPENS AT MAJOR EVENTS?
A Major Event Organization (MEO) requires athletes to apply for the recognition of their TUE if they wish to use a prohibited substance or method in connection with the Event.
If you have a TUE granted by POLADA’s TUEC and you will be competing at a Major Event e.g., the World Championship, you should contact the MEO for information on their recognition process.
Important note:
MEO TUE is valid only for the period of the Event.
✅ WHEN WILL I RECEIVE A DECISION ON MY TUE APPLICATION [OR REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION]?
POLADA’s TUEC must render a decision as soon as possible, and usually within 21 days from the date of receipt of the complete TUE application, or request for recognition, unless in exceptional circumstances
✅ WHAT IF I NEED TO RENEW MY TUE?
Each TUE has a specific duration, at the end of which it expires automatically. Should you need to continue to use the prohibited substance or method, it is your responsibility to submit a new application for a TUE with updated medical information ahead of the expiry date, so that there is sufficient time for a decision to be made before the expiry of the current TUE.
Important note:
The presence (following sample collection), use, possession, or administration of the prohibited substance or method must be consistent with the terms of your TUE. Therefore, if you require a materially different dosage, frequency, route, or duration of administration, you should contact POLADA, as you may be required to apply for a new TUE. Some substances and dosages, e.g. insulin, are often modified during treatment and these possible fluctuations should be mentioned by the treating physician in the TUE application and would usually be accepted by the POLADA TUEC.
✅ WHAT IF MY IUKL’S TUE APPLICATION IS DENIED?
A decision to deny a TUE application will include a written explanation of the reason(s) for the denial. If it is not clear to you, please contact POLADA to understand exactly why the TUE was denied. Sometimes, there may be a critical piece of information, diagnostic test, laboratory results missing, etc. In which case, you should re-apply to us.
You and/or your NADO may refer the matter to WADA for review no later than 21 days after notification of the POLADA’s TUEC decision. You should send the same information that you submitted to us, and on which the decision to deny the TUE was based via a secure on-line method or by registered mail at:
WADA Medical Department
World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700)
P.O. Box 120
Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7, Canada
The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org
It should be noted that WADA is not obliged to proceed with a request for a review. In that case, you and/or your NADO may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
✅ WHAT IF MY NADO’S TUE IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY POLADA’s TUEC?
You and/or your NADO have 21 days from the date of the decision to refer the matter to WADA for review. The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is medical@wada-ama.org. Alternatively, you may send to:
WADA Medical Department
World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700)
P.O. Box 120
Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7, Canada
The same information that was provided to your NADO should be submitted to WADA. Please use a secure on-line method unless sending by registered mail.
Pending WADA’s decision, your NADO TUE remains valid for national-level competition and out-of-competition testing only.
If the matter is not referred to WADA for review, your NADO must determine whether the original TUE that was granted should remain valid for national-level Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing.
✅ WILL MY MEDICAL INFORMATION BE TREATED IN A CONFIDENTIAL MANNER?
All the information contained in a TUE application, including the supporting medical information and any other information related to the evaluation of your TUE request is kept strictly confidential and treated in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration contained in the ADAMS TUE and in the TUE Application Form which can be found here. All members of the TUEC and any other authorized recipients of your TUE request and related information (as described in the Athlete’s Declaration) are subject to a professional or contractual confidentiality obligation.
Please review the terms of the Athlete’s Declaration carefully. In particular, note that should you wish to revoke the right of the POLADA’s TUEC to obtain the information related to your TUE in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration, your TUE application will be deemed withdrawn without approval [or recognition] being granted.
Your TUE request-related information will be retained by IUKL, POLADA’s TUEC and any other authorized recipients for no longer than necessary for the purposes stated in the Athlete’s Declaration, in accordance with the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information.
✅ CONTACT INFORMATION
For any further information and questions in relation to POLADA’s personal information practices, please contact tue@antydoping.pl and IUKL confidential.iukl@gmail.com.
If you have a doubt as regards which organization you should apply for a TUE, or as to the recognition process, or any other question about TUEs, please contact POLADA: tue@antydoping.pl
✅ OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Checklists for TUE Applications
WADA Guidelines for the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL)