Waiver forms due for medicated entrants at worlds
My masters moles remind me: “Time is running out to have your paperwork, if you need it, in time for Italy.” By paperwork, we mean the Therapeutic Use Exemption, or TUE, form — an application to compete in Riccione if you’re taking “illegal” drugs under doctor’s orders. “Most of us need at one time or another some prescription medication,” says one mole. “I was pretty sure that the Voltaren I take for my aching body was OK, but now I have the printout to prove.” USATF provides this info. Here’s another antidoping site.
According to WMA:
The “TUE Application” must be submitted at least 21 days before the first day of the international competition/championship in which the athlete wishes to compete using the prohibited substance.
So that’s about August 14.
Meanwhile, Annette Koop’s German masters site notes that in the past 2 1/2 years, some 254 requests for medical exemptions have been filed. Of that, 231 came from Europe, 15 from North America, five from Oceania and three from South America. Before the European Championships last year, Germany had 35 requests. After they held forums about the anti-doping campiagn, the number rose to 124. Altogether, Germany has about 50% of all requests.
Of course, your chances of being tested in Riccione are about the same as winning your state’s Super Lotto. But it’s wise to play it safe.
