Improvements to the IWF Anti-Doping Rules in 2024

The IWF recently informed all its National Member Federations on the summary of the amendments to the 2024 IWF Anti-Doping rules, to be applicable from January 1, 2024.

The main novelties include:

TESTING 

• Added new paragraph 5.5.17. in Article 5 to address situations of unavailability of athletes for testing; new section (v) in paragraph 18.1.4, in order to ensure that all athletes can be subject to unannounced Out-of-Competition Testing under the IWF’s Testing authority throughout the year.

RESULTS MANAGEMENT

• Clarification on the circumstances justifying the imposition or lifting of a provisional suspension (Art. 7.4.2).
• New paragraph 8.3.4: new evidence permit the reopening of a case.

GENERAL

• Art. 13.2.4: cross-appeals and other subsequent appeals allowed
• Art 14.7: means of notice

ADDITIONAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBER FEDERATIONS (MFs)

• Introduced concept of Categorisation of MFs (Category A, B, C) with different obligations imposed on each group (Art. 18.8)
• Category ‘A’ MFs: obligation to ensure at least 2 Out-of-Competition (OOC) tests (under the NADO’s TA) and mandatory Education course within 6 months prior to Senior World Championships (WC), Junior WC and Olympic Games (Art. 18.9.3)
• Category ‘B’ MFs: obligation to ensure at least 1 OOC test (under the NADO’s TA) and MFs are strongly encouraged to ensure that all athletes competing in a Selected Event and coaches and medical professionals participating in the event complete the WADA ADEL education programme specified by the ITA for each event within 6 months prior to Senior WC, Junior WC and Olympic Games (Art. 18.9.4).
• Category ‘C’ MFs: MFs are encouraged to ensure that all affiliated athletes competing in a Selected Event are subject to testing by the NADO/RADO (no minimum requirement) and MFs are strongly encouraged to ensure that all athletes competing in a Selected Event and coaches and medical professionals participating in the event are subject to anti-doping education programmes before their participation. 

In exceptional circumstances outside of the control of the MF, the MF may request the IWF to test (under IWF’s TA) its athletes to meet the requirements, provided that strict conditions apply (Art. 18.9.8).
Automatic ineligibility to compete in the IWF Event in question in case of failure to meet the testing/education requirements (Art. 18.9.14) 

Relevant documents/links:

• New 2024 IWF Anti-Doping rules here.
• Operational guidelines for categorisation of Member Federations here.
• An infographic to help each Member Federation to better understand how it works here.
• 2024 list of categorised Member Federations here.