Anti-Doping.

Sport Ireland is the authority

Sport Ireland Anti-Doping is the national anti-doping organisation for sport in Ireland. It holds the anti-doping rules, the testing programme, athlete education, medication guidance, Therapeutic Use Exemption information, the current Prohibited List, and the reporting mechanisms.

Go to them for anything definitive. This page does not reproduce prohibited substance lists, because a copy of that list is out of date the moment it is copied.

Medication

Common prescription and over-the-counter medications contain substances prohibited in sport. Check before you use them, and get proper medical and anti-doping guidance where you need it.

A medication being legal, or prescribed to you, does not make it permitted in competition.

Therapeutic Use Exemptions

An athlete who needs a prohibited substance or method for a legitimate medical reason may require a Therapeutic Use Exemption. What is required differs by competition level and by the organisation responsible for the competition, so check the requirements that apply to you before you compete rather than afterwards.

Supplements

Supplements carry real anti-doping risk. Ingredients, contamination and manufacturing practice can all result in an athlete consuming something they did not intend to take, and the rules place responsibility on the athlete regardless.

Consider the risk seriously and use reliable anti-doping guidance before deciding.

Testing

Athletes in competitive sport may be tested where the applicable rules provide for it. An athlete selected for testing is expected to understand and follow the procedure.

Coaches and support personnel

Clean sport is not only the athlete's responsibility. Coaches, medical staff and other support personnel should understand the requirements and help athletes make informed decisions. Anti-doping forms part of the development of coaches working with competitive athletes — see the coaching pathway.

International competition

Athletes representing Ireland are also subject to the anti-doping requirements of the relevant international federation or championship organiser. Review those before you travel.