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An athlete’s level i.e. whether he/she is a “National Level” or “International Level” Athlete is important in determining when they need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
Athletes who meet the NADC criteria for National Level Athletes (or the International Level Athlete criteria set by their sport's International Federation) need to apply for a TUE before they take a medication which is prohibited in sport (unless it is a medical emergency). You can check the status of your medication from the current WADA Prohibited List on the WADA website at www.wada-ama.org. If you are elevated to the status of a National Level Athlete, you need to check the status of your medication immediately as this means that you need to apply for a TUE if you are using a prohibited medication and/or a prohibited method.
It is important for athletes to understand whether they are classified as a National, International Level Athlete or Other Athlete.
NADC determines the criteria for a National Level Athlete (in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the Nigeria Anti-Doping Rules). You qualify as a National Level Athlete if you meet any of the following criteria:
| Sport | Competition | Other Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Athletics | Athletes who compete at the senior national track and field, race walking, cross country and road running championships and who are entered in the elite category of marathons on the Athletics Federation of Nigeria events calendar. | Athletes selected to represent the national team at a continental or world championships |
| Boxing | Athletes in various categories who compete at national men’s and women’s Amateur Boxing Championships. | Athletes (NBF) selected to represent the men and women national team at an Amateur Boxing (AIBA) continental or world championships |
| Powerlifting | Athletes of all weight categories and discipline who compete in national championships. | Athletes selected to represent the national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships. |
| Paralympic Sport | Not Applicable | Athletes selected to represent Nigeria at the World Championships in track and field, and table tennis |
| Weightlifting | Athletes of all weight categories who compete in national championships | Athletes selected to represent the national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships |
| Wrestling | Athletes in all weight categories who compete in national championships | Athletes selected to represent the national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships |
If you are competing in an event that qualifies you as a National Level Athlete, you should have a TUE in place seven (7) days prior to the event start date and it should last at least for the duration of the event.
If you are selected in a national team as stipulated under the criteria section of the specific code in the above table, and you need to take a prohibited medication or use a prohibited method, then you should apply for a TUE as soon as you are selected. If you lose your place in the team due to injury or performance, you still qualify as a National Level Athlete for this period i.e. for the calendar year in which you were part of the team and you must have a TUE in place as you could still be tested during this time.
All other athletes qualify for a retroactive TUE, which means you only need to apply if you are tested and you return an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF). However, you still need to ensure that you meet the criteria and be able to provide the medical evidence required by the NADC TUE Committee before you start using the medication.
If you are unsure what level athlete you are or have other questions please contact NADC: +234 903 385 8210 or nadcngr@yahoo.com
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