The International Standard for TUEs (ISTUE) is the reference standard for the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) TUE application process. The definitions outlined below comply with the ISTUE.
What Level Athlete am I?
The athlete’s level i.e. whether he/she is an *National Level or *International Level Athlete is important in determining when they need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) – *in advance (before taking part in an event) or retroactively (post-event, should they get tested and test positive, as per “other athlete” classification).
Athletes who meet the SAIDS 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, in which case a retro-active application will apply).
- Check the status of your medication by using the Medication Check Tool (click here).
- Remember, it is your responsibility, in the context of anti-doping, for what you ingest and use.
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 therefor important for athletes to understand whether they are classified as a National, International Level Athlete or Other Athlete.
National Level Athletes
SAIDS determines the criteria for a National Level Athlete (in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the SAIDS Anti-Doping Rules). If you meet any of the below mentioned criteria you shall be deemed a National Level Athlete and you need to qualify for a TUE in advance:
a. Athletes who hold a professional South African licence to compete.
b. Athletes in the SAIDS Registered Testing Pool, Testing Pool or other pool, if any.
c. Athletes that participate in National Competitions or Events or in selection events for National Competitions or Events in the sports identified in the table below.
d. Athletes that represent South Africa internationally but are not in an International Federation’s Registered Testing Pool.
But if any such Athletes are classified by their respective International Federations as International-Level Athletes then they shall be considered International-Level Athletes (and not National-Level Athletes).
With reference to point c, athletes who compete in the competitions, events and/or are selected for the senior national teams as specified in the sport codes and disciplines below need to apply for a TUE in advance:
| Sport Code | 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 at the following or any other AIMS identified marathons on the Athletics South Africa events calendar e.g., Two Oceans Marathon, Comrades Marathon and Cape Town Marathon. | Athletes selected to represent the senior national team at a continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Aquatics | Athletes who compete in the open age category at the senior national swimming championship events (includes short course, long course and open water). | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s swimming teams at a continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. (Includes short course, long course, and open water). |
| Basketball | Athletes who compete in the men’s Professional Basketball League. | Athletes selected to represent the senior men’s national team at a continental or world championships. |
| Boxing | Athletes who compete at the senior national men’s Amateur Boxing Championships. Athletes who are national champions and are ranked in the top 10 of their various categories in Professional Boxing. | Athletes (SANABO) selected to represent the senior men’s national team at an Amateur Boxing (AIBA) continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Canoe/Kayak | Athletes who compete in the elite category at the senior national sprint and marathon championships and the elite category at the Dusi and Berg River Marathons. | Athletes selected to represent the senior national sprint and marathon teams at continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Cricket | Athletes who compete in the national four-day, one day and T20 men’s and women’s competition. | Athletes selected for the under 19 national men’s and women’s team and senior national men’s and women’s team in the following formats: tests, one day and T20. |
| Cycling | Athletes who compete in the elite category at the senior national championship events (includes road, track, mountain bike and BMX championships). Additional events include athletes entered in the elite category of the Cape Epic, Cape Pioneer Joberg2C, Tankwa Trek, Sani2C and National Mountain Bike series. | Athletes selected to represent the senior national team to compete at a continental or world championship event, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games (includes road, track, mountain bike and BMX). |
| Football | Athletes who compete in the Premier Soccer League. | Athletes selected to represent the senior, under 20 and under 23 national men’s and women’s team to compete at a continental or world championships, African Games, and Olympic Games. |
| Golf | Athletes who compete in the senior men’s and women’s amateur and interprovincial championships. | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Gymnastics | Athletes who compete in the elite men’s and women’s category at the senior national championships (Artistic Men and Women Categories). | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Hockey (Field) | Athletes who compete in the senior men’s and women’s national interprovincial championships and the Premier Hockey League. | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Judo | Athletes who compete in the elite men’s and women’s senior national championships (all weight categories). | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) | Athletes who compete in the EFC competitions. | Not Applicable. |
| Netball | Athletes who compete in the National Netball League. | Athletes selected for the senior women’s national teams, as well as teams selected for a Continental and/or World Championships and Commonwealth Games. |
| ParaSport | Not Applicable. | Athletes selected to represent South Africa at the Paralympic Games, Commonwealth Games and the World Championships in track and field, cycling and aquatics. |
| Powerlifting | Athletes who compete in the elite men’s and women’s senior national championships (all weight categories and disciplines e.g., bench press, squat). | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships. |
| Rowing | Athletes who compete in the elite men’s and women’s senior national championships. | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Rugby Union | Athletes who compete in the senior Currie Cup and any senior cross border/international provincial competitions. | Athletes selected for the national under 20 men’s team and senior male and female national teams (sevens and fifteens), as well as sevens teams for the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Shooting | Athletes who compete in shooting disciplines for selection to the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. | Athletes selected in national teams for shooting disciplines that form part of an upcoming Commonwealth and Olympic Games. |
| Triathlon/Duathlon | Athletes who compete in the elite (standard, long and ultra-distance) category at the senior national championships and at the Ironman events. | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. Athletes who are licensed to compete in international triathlon events or professional ironman triathlon events. |
| Weightlifting | Athletes who compete in the elite men’s and women’s category at the senior national championships (all weight categories). | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
| Wrestling | Athletes who compete in the elite men’s and women’s category at the senior national championships (all weight categories). | Athletes selected to represent the senior national men’s and women’s team at a continental or world championships, African Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. |
Please note the following:
- 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 for therapeutic reasons, 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.
International Level Athletes
a. As per the criteria for an International Level Athlete is determined by a sport’s International Federation (IF).
b. One of the potential criteria is your inclusion in your International Federation’s RTP. Your IF will inform you of your inclusion in their RTP.
c. Another potential criterion is your participation at your IF’s highest-level International Events. You may check with your IF, either directly or via your National Federation whether you are considered to be an International Level Athlete.
d. If you are competing at an IF’s International Event, and you need to use a prohibited medication or method for therapeutic reasons, and you already have a TUE granted by SAIDS, you should check with your IF whether it will be recognised automatically, or you will need to apply for its recognition. If you don’t have a TUE granted by SAIDS, you should check with your IF whether you are considered to be an International Level Athlete for the purposes of that International Event.
Other Athletes
All other athletes (including Recreational Athletes) qualify for a Retroactive TUE, which means you only need to apply if you are tested and you are using a prohibited medication or method for therapeutic reasons.
A retroactive application only allows you the opportunity to apply for a TUE. In order to be granted a Retroactive TUE, the SAIDS TUE Commission must be satisfied that all the criteria set out in the ISTUE are met. SAIDS recommends that you gather the relevant medical information in advance, to be prepared, in case you need to apply for a Retroactive TUE.
If you are unsure what level athlete you are or have other questions on the above please contact SAIDS at 021 686 1634 or e-mail the TUE Administrator Sakumzi Qotsini at sakumzi@saids.org.za
