What happens if an under-18 athlete tests positive?

Question

Accepted Answer

Strict liability applies at every age. Athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance found in their sample, whether or not they meant to take it (Article 2.1.1). Results from the competition are disqualified. Standard bans (Article 10.2): 4 years if the substance is not a Specified Substance and the athlete cannot show it was unintentional, or if it is a Specified Substance and SAIDS proves it was intentional. 2 years otherwise. More flexible bans for Protected Persons (Article 10.6.1.3): if a Protected Person shows No Significant Fault or Negligence, the ban ranges from a reprimand with no ban up to 2 years, depending on their degree of fault (this does not apply to Substances of Abuse). A Protected Person is an athlete who is: under 16; or under 18, not in a Registered Testing Pool and has never competed in an international event in an open (senior) category. Other reductions: Contaminated product plus No Significant Fault: reprimand up to 2 years (Article 10.6.1.2). Substances of Abuse (cocaine, heroin, MDMA, THC) used out of competition and unrelated to sport performance: 3 months, reducible to 1 month after a SAIDS-approved treatment programme (Article 10.2.4). During a ban the athlete may not take part in any capacity in competitions or activities run by any federation, club or member organisation (Article 10.14.1). They may return to team training for the shorter of the last 2 months or the last quarter of the ban. A new World Anti-Doping Code takes effect on 1 January 2027; these answers reflect the 2021 SAIDS rules in force in 2026.