FIVB Medical & Anti-Doping Regulations

Medical & Anti-Doping Rules, are rules governing the specificities for Medical issues and the Anti-Doping Regulations provided by the WADA Code.

 FIVB Medical and Anti-Doping Regulations - (in force since 26.04.2022)

 WADA Code - (in force since 01.01.2021)

In addition, WADA's International Standard for Testing (ISTI) foresee procedures which assure and maintain the integrity of testing and identity of samples, from notifying the athlete to transporting samples for analysis, as well as regulations on Whereabouts requirements in order to conduct unannounced out-of-competition testing and investigations. 

 WADA's International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI)

Doping Control

Athletes might get tested anytime and anywhere without previous notice, no matter if they are included in an FIVB Registered Testing Pool (RTP) or not. Generally we distinguish In-competition testing and Out-of-competition testing.

“In-Competition” means the period commencing at 11:59 pm on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate through the end of such Competition and the Sample collection process related to such Competition.

By default, “Out-of-Competition” is any period which is not “In-Competition”.

For more information about the doping control process, please refer to WADA video below, available in 10 languages at the WADA’s YouTube channel, and to the WADA Leaflet on doping control process, available in 4 languages.

Be aware: Refusing, or failing without compelling justification, to submit to Sample collection after notification as authorized in applicable anti-doping rules or otherwise evading Sample collection is considered as an anti-doping rule violation.

Athletes and their Support Personnel (Parents, Coaches, Trainers, Managers, Agents, Team Staff, Officials & Medical Personnel) play an essential role in keeping volleyball as a clean sport. Stay committed and check out your rights and responsibilities in order to avoid inadvertent doping!

It is not simply the detection of a banned substance in a sample that can result in an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV). Please note that there are 11 ADRVs that can result in a sanction and are not only applicable to Athletes, but also to Athlete Support Personnel.

 Doping Control Form

 WADA Leaflet on doping control process

 Athletes' and Athletes Support Personnel's rights and responsibilities

 Avoid inadvertent doping

Whereabouts Information

 Athletes User Guide
 Team Managers User Guide

Whereabouts is information provided by a limited number of top elite Athletes concerning their location to the International Sport Federation (IF) or National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) which includes them in their respective Registered Testing Pool (RTP) as part of these top elite Athletes’ Anti-Doping responsibilities. Please find the following additional information here: 

 Information on Athlete's Whereabouts and Athlete's rights and responsibilities
 Some hints on Whereabouts Filing via ADAMS
 Relevant Provisions of the FIVB Medical and Anti-Doping Regulations on Whereabouts Failures 2021
 CRITERIA – 2022 FIVB Registered Testing Pools (RTPs) Volleyball and Beach Volleybal
 2022 Athletes List FIVB Registered Testing Pool (RTP) Beach Volleyball (as of October 2022)
 VB Team Whereabouts Procedures 2021 
 Team Whereabouts nomination of responsible person form
Doping tests Statistics 2012-2021

The Prohibited List

The List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), is the International Standard that designates what is prohibited in- and out-of competition. The List also indicates whether particular substances are banned in particular sports. Substances and methods are classified by categories (e.g. steroids, stimulants, gene doping). The List is updated annually, published by 1 October and comes into effect on 1 January of the following year.

For anti-doping rule violations (“ADRVs”) of presence or use of a prohibited substance, please note the following:

• If you intended to cheat, whatever the substance, the period of ineligibility is 4 (four) years.
• Otherwise, it is 2 (two) years – unless you prove you had no significant fault or negligence, in which case ineligibility may be reduced to a minimum of one year.
• If the violation involved a specified substance or a contaminated product, and you can demonstrate you had no significant fault, ineligibility may range from 2 (two) years to a reprimand (depending on the level of fault). 
• Please note that multiple ADRVs, or the presence of multiple substances, may increase the sanction beyond 4 (four) years. And for some ADRVs the penalty can be a life ban from sport.

There is also the possibility of a reduction of the sanction if an Athlete (or other person charged) admits guilt promptly following an ADRV or provides useful and reliable information about an ADRV committed by other person, which is known as “substantial assistance” in the WADA Code.

Updated list of ADRVs and overview per year:

 2022  2021

 2020  2019

 2018  2017

 2016  2015

 2014 - 2013

Anti-Doping from a player’s perspective: 

Our Ambassador: Fabiana Oliveira, Brazilian Volleyball player, Libero and Two-time Olympic Champion walks us through her experience as a player with every step of anti-doping during her career.

ANTI-DOPING: what is anti-doping ? it’s all about fair-play to other teams and teammates, what used to be a tabu is now something that people speak about.

DOPING TEST: What is your experience with doping tests, urine and blood tests?

ENTOURAGE: What do you expect from your entourage, team personnel? Trust and knowledge.

EDUCATION: What can you learn from an Olympic Player about anti-doping  ? a player is 100% responsible for what he ingests
Nutritional supplements, injuries are other topics touched upon in this video.