THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE)

Since the beginning of 2010, the IFSC cooperates for all TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) issues with Prof. Thomas Kupper, who has been nominated IFSC TUE Officer.

Thomas Küpper, Assoc. Prof., MD, PhD
• Specialist for Sports Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Mountain Medicine, Aviation Medicine, Travel medicine
• International Federation of Sport Climbing - TUE Officer
• Institute of Occupational and Social Medicine, RWTH Aachen University
  Aachen / Germany

Overview of Therapeutic Use

What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption? Athletes who have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medication must be aware that those substances or methods may be listed on the WADA Prohibited List*

These athletes with a documented medical condition requiring the use of a prohibited substance or prohibited method must first obtain a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

A TUE should be given if:
• The athlete would experience significant health problems without taking the prohibited substance or method,
• The therapeutic use of the substance would not produce significant enhancement of performance, and
• There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the otherwise prohibited substance or method.

The Prohibited List identifies substances and methods that are banned either in-competition only or in-and out-of-competition. These substances include, but are not limited to, stimulants, anabolic agents, and masking agents. Athletes should always be aware that a substance may not be directly named on the List, but may still be banned because it falls into the category based on similarities in properties or structure.
• ISTUE (International Standard Therapeutic Use Exemption)
• IFSC TUE Application Form
• TUE Questions & Answers

Note that from January 2011, as from the WADA Code the Abbreviated TUEs do no longer exist, the WADA Prohibited List should be consulted before filing a TUE application.

Substances as salbutamol and salmeterol when taken by inhalation are no longer considered requiring a TUE, within certain limits.

Consult the WADA Prohibited List for details and caveat.

Reminder that applications prepared on the IFSC TUE forms, in English language, should be completed and returned to the IFSC office at the address below, or alternatively via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

IFSC – International Federation of Sport Climbing
Corso Vinzaglio 12
10121, Torino, ITALY
Fax: +39 011 412 17 73