Athletes sometimes need to take medication that contains a banned substance – if they get sick or injured, or have an ongoing medical condition that requires treatment, such as asthma or diabetes.
Except in a medical emergency, national and international level athletes must have an approved Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in place BEFORE taking medication that contains a banned substance.
If a national or international level athlete tests positive due to a medication they have taken and they do not have an approved TUE in place, they will likely be charged with an anti-doping rule violation.
Who Needs to Apply for TUE Application?
According to the IESF Anti-Doping Rules, the following Athletes shall be considered as International-Level Athletes, who compete in any of the following International Events:
- IESF Esports World Championship
- All Multi Esports Events where IESF operates Esports competitions
- Athletes included in the IESF Registered Testing Pool, Testing Pool and any other pool if established by IESF
In World Anti-Doping Code 2021, Article 4.4.3, Athletes who are International-Level Athletes shall apply to their International Federation, also in IESF Anti-Doping Rules, Article 4.4.2.2.
What is Needed to Apply for TUE Application?
An application will only be considered when submitted alongside the following supporting medical evidence:
- Comprehensive medical history and the results of all relevant examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies.
- Copies of original reports, letters and specialist reviews
- A detailed summary of any alternative medications tried (including names, dosages, duration of use, and effects) or clinical justification from the prescribing doctor that confirms that in their opinion there are no other reasonable permitted alternatives that exist to treat the medical condition.
- TUE Application Form
You must exclusively submit your TUE application, including the required medical file, via ADAMS. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact [email protected] to have your account set up.
TUE Application Process
Step 1: Check Your Status
Check IESF's definition about International Level Athletes on the IESF website to determine which path applies to you.
International Athletes
Submit TUE to IESF and wait for the approval.
The TUE decision shall be notified within 21 days of the submission.
* If an athlete already has an available TUE, he/she should not submit an application for a new TUE to IESF.
Non-International Athletes
Submit TUE to your NADO and receive a decision or certificate.
If NADO is on the recognized list:
Send the TUE decision or certificate of NADO to IESF TUEC.
If NADO is NOT on the list:
Send your approved TUE with the supporting medical evidence to IESF TUEC and wait for approval. The TUE decision shall be notified within 21 days.
* Athletes shall submit a request for recognition of the TUE to IESF in question, via ADAMS.
Renewal of TUE
TUEs are only approved for a specific period of time and will eventually expire. It is the athlete's responsibility to renew the TUE, if required, before it expires. A new TUE application form needs to be completed and submitted, together with a new medical report confirming the diagnosis and the outcome of any further investigations conducted (since the previous application).
For more information about TUEs, read the World Anti-Doping Agency's Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on TUEs.
Deadline
If you are participating in the IESF Esports World Championship, you must submit your TUE at least 30 days before the accommodation's entrance.
Additionally, athletes must notify IESF and submit a TUE at any time if the sudden need for medicine contained on the WADA prohibited list occurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
All the athletes who have been identified as International Level Athletes at above, need to submit the copy of TUE to IESF TUE Committee (TUEC) for their Exemption of Therapeutic Use.
Full name list of RTP (Registered Testing Pool) in this year's IESF Esports World Championship that are required to apply for a TUE to the IESF can be found on the below list:
RTP List (will be provided shortly when it is ready)
If you are not in the above list, Athletes need to apply to their NADO and send NADO's decision/certificate to IESF ([email protected]).
Please refer to the "Automatic Recognition" section to find your NADO.
Athletes who test positive for a prohibited substance without a valid TUE will be charged with an anti-doping rule violation, regardless of the medical reason for taking the substance.
For ADAMS account setup, contact [email protected]. For NADO-related queries, contact [email protected].
Contact Anti-Doping Committee