USSA, as the National Governing Body (NGB) for Olympic skiing and snowboarding, is required by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), US Olympic Committee (USOC), and the International Ski Federation (FIS) to comply with the anti-doping rules and regulations established internationally by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in its code for eligibility in these sports. It is not an optional program but a requirement for participation in Olympic sports.

The USSA Medical department is responsible for the administration of all rules, policies and procedures associated with the WADA code, FIS anti-doping rules and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the national anti-doping organization that upholds the WADA Code within Olympic sports in the USA.

The USSA Medical staff provides ongoing education for athletes, coaches, PT/ATC's and physicians on banned medications, current rules and regulations as well as policy and procedures for conducting in and out-of-competition doping controls.

USSA Medical also provides a liaison to the national and international anti-doping organizations to work towards more effective and efficient anti-doping controls at events.


WADA Code and FIS Anti-Doping Rules
USSA Medical ensures all athletes and staff (fulltime and volunteers) have a good understanding of all rules/requirements outlined in the WADA code and FIS anti-doping rules. This includes the requirements of USADA. The following websites can be helpful to you in understanding anti-doping:
WADA: www.wada-ama.org
USADA: www.usantidoping.org
FIS: www.fis-ski.com/uk.rulesandpublications/medicaldoping
       http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/rulesandpublications/medicalantidoping/therapeuticuse.html

All USSA athletes may be subject to doping control (ie, drug testing) at any ski or snowboard competition.  In addition,  potential Olympic athletes are entered into the USADA out-of-competition (OOC) testing pool.   These athletes can be tested at any time or any place outside of competitions, and must use the Athlete Location Form (ALF) to submit their whereabout to USADA so they can be located for such testing.   The following are some resources for athletes to help ensure their compliance with these regulations:

USADA Athlete Handbook

USADA Athlete Tools

USADA Resources

USADA Frequently Asked Questions

USADA can be contacted for general questions via toll-free phone at 866-601-2632 or via e-mail at usada@usada.org.


OOC Testing Pool Calendar
Athletes who are selected to the OOC testing pool must submit their whereabouts using the Athlete Location FORM (ALF) on a quarterly basis.  The following is a schedule of the quarters and due dates for ALF forms.

 Quarter      Months in Quarter        Due Date for ALF Forms 
Quarter 1        Jan-Feb-Mar                      Dec 1
Quarter 2      April-May-June                   March 1
Quarter 3       July-Aug-Sept                    June 1
Quarter 4        Oct-Nov-Dec                     Sept 1


Changes to Whereabouts and ALF Form
If an athlete makes changes to their whereabouts, they must submit all changes to their ALF in writing.  This must be done BEFORE the athlete actually changes locations.  Be sure to include the address of the new location, phone numbers where the athlete can be contacted, and the dates and times the athlete will be at the new location.  USADA has created some convenient methods for submitting whereabouts and ALF changes:

• Login to your athlete account on the USADA website
• Using the email address you have on file with USADA, send a message to update@usada.org
• Using the mobile phone number you have on file with USADA, send a text message to text@usada.org
• Fax changes to +1-719-785-2099
• Mail changes to 1330 Quail Lake Loop, Suite 260, Colorado Springs, CO 80906-4651
• Instructions and the Change of Plan Form for fax/mail can be found on the USADA download page.

At least once a year, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) evaluates and updates the List of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods.  USADA maintains an active database (called the Drug Reference Online or DRO), of all prohibited substances and prohibited methods, including both brand-names and generic drug names.  Access to this database can be found online at:

USADA Drug Reference Online (www.usada.org/dro)

Athletes must be aware of any substances they put in their body, especially medications.  Some medications may be permissible for use out-of-competition, but prohibited for use during a competition.  If an athlete's home physician is unfamiliar with anti-doping regulations, they may unknowingly prescribe a banned substance when a permissible alternative is available.  It is ultimately the athlete's responsibility to check all medications before taking any.

When searching the DRO, information will be given on whether the drug is banned or permitted.  In some cases, a particular medication may be banned only for in-competition use.  Some medications may only be banned for certain delivery methods (eg, taking a pill vs. getting an injection).  Many medications will state that use of the drug "Requires a TUE."  A "Therapeutic Use Exemption" or TUE is a document  that allows certain banned substances or methods to be used for the treatment of an illness, injury, or medical condition.  Most asthma medications fall under this category.

Searches of the DRO will also give you a reference number for the search.  It is advisable to print the drug search page with the reference number and keep it for your records.  If a medication is later added to the banned list, then this sheet can serve as proof that the substance was permitted at the time you began taking the medication.

If an athlete needs medications that contain a  banned substance or method, they must submit a TUE application and get approval prior to using the medication.  There are two types of TUEs, Abbreviated and Standard.  Abbreviated TUEs can be used for four specific beta-2 agonists taken inhalation (formoterol, salbutamol, salmeterol, terbutaline) and glucocorticosteroids used locally.

USADA has two simple rules for athletes regarding prohibited substances and methods:
1) Don't use any prohibited substances.
2) Get approval before you take any medications.