WRPF UK – Tested Division & Membership Status Policy

Banned Substance List:
www.wrpf.uk/banned-substances

Drug Testing Policies:
www.wrpf.uk/drug-testing-policies

This policy applies to all athletes who enter, compete in, or seek to compete in any WRPF UK Doping Tested Division.

WRPF UK is a private sporting organisation. Participation in its events, memberships and tested divisions is voluntary and subject to compliance with its published rules and policies. No athlete has a right to compete in WRPF UK tested divisions except in accordance with those rules. 

By registering for a WRPF UK tested division, an athlete confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to be bound by:

• WRPF/WEPF Anti-Doping Rules
• The WRPF Prohibited List
• This Anti-Doping, Medication, Appeals and Membership Policy
   

These documents together form a binding contractual agreement between the athlete and WRPF UK. Participation in tested divisions is voluntary and conditional upon full compliance.

WRPF UK operates under a strict liability anti-doping framework.

If a prohibited substance or its metabolites are detected in an athlete’s sample, an Anti-Doping Rule Violation has occurred regardless of:

• Intent
• Fault or negligence
• Medical condition
• Doctor’s prescription
• Method of administration
   

Athletes are solely responsible for everything that enters their body.

WRPF UK and the World Raw Powerlifting Federation do not accept or recognise Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs).

This includes but is not limited to:

• NHS prescriptions
• Private prescriptions
• GP or consultant letters
• Diagnoses
• Long-term or emergency treatment
   

If a substance appears on the WRPF Prohibited List, it is banned in tested divisions regardless of medical necessity.

Athletes who require prohibited medication must not enter tested divisions and may only compete in non-tested divisions where permitted.

Drug testing is conducted in accordance with WRPF/WEPF Anti-Doping Rules.

If a sample returns an Adverse Analytical Finding:

• WRPF UK will conduct a procedural review
• The athlete will be notified of the result and applicable sanction
   

If no procedural defect is identified, the result stands as valid and enforceable.

WRPF UK allows appeals only for:

• Laboratory error
• Chain-of-custody failure
• Procedural irregularity
   

There is no right of appeal where:

• A prohibited substance is detected
• The substance was taken under medical supervision
• The athlete relies on prescription medication, diagnosis, or therapeutic use
   

A positive test caused by a prohibited substance remains a violation regardless of medical justification.

An athlete who tests positive in a WRPF UK tested division will be sanctioned under WRPF/WEPF Anti-Doping Rules. Sanctions may include:

• Disqualification from the event
• Loss of results, medals, records and prizes
• Ineligibility to compete in tested divisions
   

Medical documentation does not alter the violation or sanction.

Athletes who are sanctioned from tested divisions may, where permitted, compete in non-tested divisions after any applicable suspension period.

They remain permanently ineligible to compete in tested divisions.

If an athlete is sanctioned under this policy:

• The athlete will be ineligible to compete in any WRPF UK division, tested or untested, for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the doping test.
• During this 12-month period, the athlete may not enter, register for, or compete in any WRPF UK event in any capacity as an athlete.
• After the 12-month period has elapsed, the athlete may compete only in non-tested divisions where permitted. Following review.
• The athlete will remain permanently ineligible to compete in WRPF UK tested divisions.
• No reinstatement to tested divisions will be granted under any circumstances, including medical, prescription or therapeutic justification.
   

No WRPF UK official, referee, director, staff member or contractor has authority to:

• Grant medical exemptions
• Approve prohibited substances
• Override the Prohibited List
• Modify sanctions
• Accept retrospective justification
   

Only the WRPF/WEPF Anti-Doping Rules govern testing and enforcement.

By entering a WRPF UK tested division, the athlete acknowledges that:

• They are responsible for checking all medications against the Prohibited List
• Prescription medication does not override anti-doping rules
• A positive test caused by a prohibited substance is not appealable
• All sanctions under this policy are final and binding