Lebanese Gymnastics Federation
Therapeutic Use Exemptions
Guidance for athletes who require a prohibited medication or method for legitimate medical treatment.
What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)?
Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List, a TUE may give that athlete authorisation to use that substance or method while competing — without invoking an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV). Applications are evaluated by a panel of physicians — the TUE Committee (TUEC).
Criteria for Granting a TUE
All four of the following criteria must be met (ISTUE Article 4.2):
Diagnosed medical condition
The athlete has a clearly diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method.
No performance enhancement
The therapeutic use will not produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete's normal state of health.
No permitted alternative
The prohibited substance is an indicated treatment for the condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative.
Not consequence of prior doping
The necessity is not a consequence of prior use (without a TUE) of a substance that was prohibited at the time of use.
Who Should Apply — and Where?
FIG has delegated responsibility for all TUE applications to the International Testing Agency (ITA). Check if your medication is prohibited first via GlobalDRO. Athletes have the ultimate responsibility.
International-Level Athlete
Part of the FIG RTP or holds a valid FIG licence. Apply to the ITA in advance — at least 30 days before your next competition (for substances prohibited in-competition only). Submit via ADAMS or email tue@ita.sport.
National-Level Athlete
Apply to your National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO). The ITA's TUEC will automatically recognise a valid NADO TUE for international competition if it is correctly entered in ADAMS. No need to contact the ITA separately.
Application Process
Follow these 6 steps to apply for a TUE through the ITA:
Check the Prohibited List
Use GlobalDRO or the WADA Prohibited List to confirm the substance or method is prohibited.
Discuss with your doctor
Inform your physician that you are subject to anti-doping rules. Explore non-prohibited alternatives together. If none exist, proceed with a TUE application.
Gather medical documentation
Collect a comprehensive medical history, diagnosis from the original physician, and results of all relevant examinations, lab tests, and imaging studies.
Submit via ADAMS or TUE form
FIG encourages submission via ADAMS. Alternatively, download the ITA TUE Application Form and email it with your medical file to tue@ita.sport.
Receive a decision
The ITA's TUEC decides as soon as possible — usually within 21 days of receiving a complete application. Keep copies of everything submitted.
Renew before expiry
Each TUE has a set duration. Submit a renewal application with updated medical information before the current TUE expires.
Can I Get a Retroactive TUE?
⚠️ Retroactive TUE — when is it allowed?
- You required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition.
- There was insufficient time or other exceptional circumstances that prevented application before testing.
- You are a lower-level athlete not under the jurisdiction of FIG or a NADO and were tested.
- You tested positive after using a substance out-of-competition that is only prohibited in-competition (e.g. glucocorticoids).