The BBU is totally committed to the eradication of drugs and doping in sport.

The BBU adheres to and complies with all aspects of the WORLD ANTI DOPING AGENCY (WADA) Code that has been agreed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Biathlon Union (IBU), the British Olympic Association (BOA) and by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).

We emphasise the fact that "ignorance is not an excuse".

It is a personal matter for all athletes, whether they are an Olympian or a novice, to be aware of the current banned list and the issues of drug, doping, blood and gene testing. National Squad athletes who are unclear should arrange through their coaches to discuss issues with their regular or sport specific doctor. Regimental & Club athletes should contact their RMO / GP in the first instance.

There is normally a 2 year International ban if found guilty of infringement of WADA, and for GBR athletes a lifetime Olympic ban. Military athletes may also be subject to additional military disciplinary action.

28 Dec 11 - WADA 2012

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Executive Committee, of which IBU President Anders Besseberg is a member, has approved the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods for 2012. The 2012 List takes effect 01 Jan 12.

Click the logo for the full 2012 WADA List

For an important Summary of the main changes to the List Click Here

For TUE (Theraputic Use) Guidlines Click Here

For details of the Monitoring programme Click Here

The 2012 Prohibited List can also be found on UK Anti-Doping website.

08 Aug 10 - UKAD NEWSLETTER

UK Anti-Doping celebrated its six-month anniversary on 14th Jun with the launch of a new confidential hotline - "Report Doping in Sport"

Click for UKAD Newsletter

06 Dec 09 - UKAD

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) goes live in 14 Dec 09 and replaces UK Sport as the National anti-doping organisation (NADO) in the UK.

There are few changes to the previous UK Anti Doping Rules (see below - 28 Jun 09), which will be replaced by the new Rules on 14 Dec 09 (and removed from this Website!). Check out:

UKAD Anti Doping Rules (wef 14 Dec 09) Amendments to previous Rules

Although the Rules & Appendices total some 60 pages and are largely concerned with the procedural and disciplinary aspects of Testing, all athletes and support staff should be conversant with them. Military athletes found to be guilty of doping offences may also be subject to Military Disciplinary procedures.

All athletes and support staff should have access to The WADA Prohibited List at all times; it is a mere 9 pages long! National Senior Squad and NDS "A" athletes who are unsure over the propriety or legality of any medicine, supplement or treatment must request clarification with the OMI, through the National Team Coach. Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) should also be applied for through these channels, but, note in particular Article 4 of the BBU Anti Doping Rules. Other athletes should seek further clarification through their doctor, but remember - many GPs and Military Doctors are not experts on WADA. As ever, the onus is on the athlete and the punishments for failing a test are severe. IGNORANCE IS NOT AN EXCUSE!

23 Nov 09 - IBU MEDICAL WEB PAGE

The IBU medical page on the main IBU Site (www.biathlonworld.com) has been expanded and revamped. Although we also publish the main changes concerning doping etc, all athletes should periodically check out the IBU Medical site.

IBU Medical web page.

28 Oct 09 - H1N1 (SWINE FLU) WARNING

As a responsible NGB we are aware of the considerable health risks faced by athletes and supporters, especially when travelling, at the present time. Dr Jim Carrabre, Chairman IBU Medical Committee has produced an excellent Guide, which we strongly advise you all to read.

"H1N1 - what you need to know (and do)"

17 Jul 08 - UK SPORT STATEMENT ON SUPPLEMENTS

Supplements Position Statement

Position statement of UK Sport, Version 5, issued in July 2008.

There is an array of supplements available for athletes to purchase through a range of retail sources that have no prohibited substances listed as ingredients. Despite this there have been several cases whereby supplement products have been contaminated with prohibited substances as defined by the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA) Prohibited List.

UK athletes are advised to be vigilant in their choice to use any supplement. No guarantee can be given that any particular supplement is free from Prohibited Substances.

Athletes should be aware that any product that claims to restore, correct or modify the body’s physiological functions should be licensed as a medicine, according to current legislation (for further information visit the Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency website at www.mhra.gov.uk).

Diet, lifestyle and training should all be optimised before considering supplements and athletes should assess the need for supplements by always consulting an accredited sports dietician and/or registered nutritionist with expertise in sports nutrition and a sports and exercise medicine doctor before taking supplements.

An important principle of the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA) is that of strict liability stating athletes are ultimately responsible for any Prohibited Substances found in their system or for the use of any Prohibited Method. Therefore before taking supplements athletes must assess the risk and understand their personal responsibility.

In an attempt to support athletes a number of initiatives have been created globally to identify whether a prohibited substance can be identified within a supplement. As such, supplements may claim to be drug free or safe for drug tested athletes. It is not possible to guarantee that specific supplements will be free of prohibited substances but only to reduce the risk of inadvertent doping by making informed decisions.

In the UK HFL Sports Science has taken the initiative to create a scheme to support athletes in assessing the risk. The Informed-Sport programme is designed to evaluate supplement manufacturers for their process integrity and screening of supplements and ingredients for the presence of prohibited substances that are present on the WADA Prohibited List. The supplements industry has been consulted on this approach and supports its development.

UK Sport believes this risk minimisation service to be a positive step and welcomes the approach being taken by industry and the HFL owned Informed-Sport programme.

Ultimately we wish to remind athletes that strict liability will still apply and the appropriate sanctions provided to any athlete returning an adverse analytical finding from any supplement product as with all other anti-doping case.

29 May 03 - ADVICE TO ATHLETES ON THE USE OF SUPPLEMENTS

A very important document concerning the use of supplements, approvals thereof and detection procedures for suspect supplements has been published jointly by UK Sport, BOA, BPA, NSMI and HCSC.

Supplements are taken at the athlete's risk and at his or her personal responsibility. All biathletes, and indeed athletes and officials of any sport, should read this document. Click here NOW!

17 Jul 08 - UK SPORT STATEMENT ON SUPPLEMENTS Supplements Position Statement

17 Jul 08 - UK SPORT STATEMENT ON SUPPLEMENTS

Supplements Position Statement