IAAF rules on early reinstatement and medical exemptions involving positive drug tests

4. EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES

4.1 Under IAAF Rule 60, an athlete may apply to the Council for reinstatement before the IAAF's period of

ineligibility has expired. It is not possible to state comprehensively the circumstances in which the discretion to

reinstate will be exercised by the Council. However, the Council will not regard as exceptional for the purposes

of Rule 60 an allegation that the prohibited substance was given to an athlete by another person without his

knowledge, an allegation that a prohibited substance was taken by mistake or a suggestion that medication

was prescribed by a doctor in ignorance of the fact that it contained a prohibited substance. The Council may,

however, consider that exceptional circumstances exist where an athlete has provided substantial evidence or

assistance to a National Federation or the IAAF in the course of disciplinary or legal proceedings brought

against those dealing in prohibited substances or coaches or athletes representatives who are taking, or

inciting or assisting others to take such substances.

4.2 Where an athlete believes that exceptional circumstances exist, application should be made through the

athlete's National Federation to the General Secretary of the IAAF. No applications can be accepted otherwise

than through an athlete's National Federation.

4.3 The General Secretary shall consider the circumstances put forward by the athlete through his National

Federation and, if he thinks there is some merit in the case put forward, shall include discussion of the case on

the agenda of the next meeting of the Council.

4.4 If the General Secretary thinks there is no merit in the case he shall write to the athlete's National Federation in

those terms. Despite this, the athlete's National Federation may, within 28 days of the General Secretary's

letter, reply requesting that the matter be placed on the Council's agenda. The General Secretary shall then

place the matter on the Council's agenda for its next meeting.

4.5 Where an athlete's application for early reinstatement has been added to the agenda of the Council meeting,

the Council shall consider the question of reinstatement. It shall consider both the application by the athlete and

the circumstances surrounding the athlete's ineligibility.

5. PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATION FOR EXEMPTION

TO USE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES

General

5.1 IAAF Rule 55.5 was introduced in order to make it possible for an athlete to

participate in sport who, for a limited or prolonged period of time, needs a prohibited substance for medical reasons.

5.2 Exemption will not, therefore, normally be granted in cases of acute disease and never when sporting

activity may be hazardous to the athlete. Exemptions, consequently, will be granted only rarely and in very special

cases.

5.3 Out-Of-Competition doping control is used as a deterrent for the use of anabolic agents and certain listed

hormones, including the substances under prohibited techniques. Application for exemption of drug use during

training is, therefore, needed only for these substances.

Procedure

5.4 An application for exemption must contain a certificate from a qualified physician setting out the reasons why

the administration of a prohibited substance is necessary for the health of the athlete. It must also contain the

dosage and duration of medication, as well as an explanation as to why a non-listed drug cannot be used.

5.5 The application shall be in writing and addressed to the IAAF Doping Commission. An

application with respect to salbutamol, salmeterol or terbutaline inhalation therapy can be made either to the

Doping Commission or to the relevant body of the athlete's National Federation. Any exemption granted will be

in effect during a maximum period of one year, unless renewed by the Doping Commission or the relevant

body of an athlete's National Federation.

5.6 In evaluating any medical opinion advanced on behalf of an athlete, the Doping Commission is authorised, if

necessary, to take advice from a specialist in the field relevant to the issue.