Athletics Integrity Unit announces categories for National Federations under new anti-doping rules
Press Release
21st November 2018
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has announced the categorisation of National Federations under the new Article 15 of the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules, which had previously been approved by the IAAF Council in July in Buenos Aires. The Rule puts in place an advanced framework for the fight against doping in athletics.
The new rules, which come into force from January 2019, make National Federations accountable for assisting in the fight against doping and for ensuring appropriate anti-doping measures are in place in their respective jurisdictions. Obligations under the previous IAAF Anti-Doping Rules largely rested with individuals, while the obligations of the National Federations themselves were limited.
Under the new rules, National Federations are categorised annually by the AIU Board in three different categories — A, B and C — according to the factors that have been considered for determining the doping risk to the sport (category A having the highest doping risk to the sport and category C the lowest). National Federations are subject to a set of general obligations that are imposed on all federations and to a set of specific obligations that are imposed on each category of federation.
David Howman, Chairman of the AIU, said: “Improving the integrity of athletics requires a collaborative effort from the entire industry and these new rules ensure that the National Federations who send teams to represent them at international events are playing their part.”
“It is important to remember that the categorisation reflects the risk to the sport from doping in each jurisdiction and such risk may exist for many reasons. In each case, the AIU looks forward to working closely with National Federations to ensure that standards are lifted, risks are mitigated and a level playing field can be enjoyed by all athletes. This innovative rule will help ensure lasting and meaningful change in athletics and make sure the public confidence in the integrity of the sport is maintained.”
“As we begin implementation of the new Rules, our athletes can be assured that anti-doping obligations no longer fall on them alone,” added Howman.
The role of the AIU is to monitor National Federations’ compliance with the new obligations and to investigate any breaches. The AIU may either work with a non-compliant National Federation to achieve compliance or make a referral to the IAAF Council for determining sanction. The decision of the IAAF Council will be binding on the National Federations.
The Rule 15 of the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules can be found here. The list of categorised National Federations can be found here. The criteria applied by the AIU Board in making its categorisation decisions can be found here. A summary of National Federation obligations by category can be found here.
