The 20th Mediterranean Games will be held from Friday, August 21 to Thursday, September 3, 2026 in Taranto, and, as with all major international sporting events, strict anti-doping rules apply. These rules were adopted by the International Committee of the Mediterranean Games (ICMG) in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code. Here are the key points to remember.
Who is concerned ?
All athletes participating in the 2026 Mediterranean Games are subject to these rules, as are their support staff (coaches, doctors, physical trainers, physiotherapists, etc.). From the moment you are selected by your National Olympic Committee to participate in the Games, you are automatically subject to these anti-doping rules.
Prohibited Violations: 11 Rules to Know
The main violations of anti-doping rules are:
- Presence of a prohibited substance in your samples or its metabolites or markers
- Use or attempted use of prohibited substances or methods
- Refusal or failure to submit to a doping control
- Failure to comply with localization obligations (three breaches in 12 months)
- Tampering or attempted tampering of the control process
- Possession of prohibited substances or methods without valid justification
- Trafficking or attempted trafficking of prohibited substances
- Administration or attempted administration to other athletes
- Complicity or attempted complicity in a violation
- Association prohibited with people hanging
- Intimidation or retaliation against witnesses or people reporting violations
The Prohibited List
The WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Prohibited List automatically applies to the Mediterranean Games. It includes:
- substances permanently prohibited (in and out of competition): anabolic steroids, hormones, masking agents…
- substances prohibited only in competition : stimulants, narcotics, cannabinoids…
- prohibited methods blood doping, chemical or physical manipulation…
- substances of abuse cocaine, MDMA, cannabis…
The "in competition" period begins at 23:59 the day before your competition and ends at the end of the sample collection process.
Anti-doping controls
Who can control you?
The ITA (International Testing Agency) acts on behalf of the CIJM and may test you:
- In competition (at the competition venues)
- Out of competition (at training, in the athletes' village…)
- At any time and in any place during the Games period
- From the opening day of the athletes' village until the closing ceremony
Your obligations during an inspection:
- You present at once if you are selected for a check
- Provide a urine and/or blood sample
- Respect the entire procedure sampling
- Present a ID
- Declare all medications and supplements recently taken
Possible types of controls:
- Targeted testing (athletes selected according to specific criteria)
- Random checks
- Athlete Biological Passport (longitudinal monitoring of biological parameters)
Therapeutic Use Authorizations (TUAs)
If you need a medication containing a prohibited substance for legitimate medical reasons:
- Submit a AUT application at least 30 days before your participation in the Games
- Le CIJM AUT Committee will evaluate your application according to strict criteria
- AU already granted by your International Federation or your National Anti-Doping Agency may be automatically recognized
- In case of a medical emergency, a TUE retroactive may be requested
Conditions for obtaining a AUT:
- The substance is necessary to treat an acute or chronic condition
- Therapeutic use does not produce a significant improvement in performance
- There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative.
- The need to use the substance is not a consequence of prior use without a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
Consequences of violation
Possible sanctions:
- Disqualification of your results at the Mediterranean Games
- Suspension from 1 month to life (depending on the severity and circumstances)
- Withdrawal medals, points, diplomas and prizes
- Financial consequences (fines, reimbursement of expenses)
- Public publication of the sanction
- Possible impact on your team (in team sports)
Duration of suspensions:
- 4 years for intentional violations (unspecified substances)
- 2 years for unintentional violations
- Possible discounts in the absence of significant fault or exceptional circumstances
- Possible aggravations in the event of aggravating circumstances
Your rights
Throughout the procedure, you benefit from fundamental rights:
- Être represented by a lawyer or advice
- Attend the analysis of your sample B
- Receive all the documentation from the laboratory and the file
- Benefit from a fair and impartial hearing
- Do call decisions from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
- Benefit from the policy until the final decision
Specific features of the Mediterranean Games
- The CIJM has delegated the management of anti-doping controls to theITA
- First instance decisions are rendered by theInternational Hearing Panel
- Appeals are brought directly before the CAS (Court of Arbitration for Sport)
- The Local Organizing Committees must provide all the necessary installations (control stations, equipment…)
- National Olympic Committees are responsible for providing the location information of their athletes
Practical advice
✅ Check systematically the composition of your food supplements based on reliable databases
✅ Consult regularly List of prohibitions (updated every January 1st)
✅ Ask for advice consult the CMA or your sports medicine doctor before any treatment.
✅ Keep prescriptions and packaging of your medications
✅ Report any medication taken during checks on the control form
✅ be careful with products purchased online or abroad
✅ Never share sharing your medications with other athletes
✅ Anticipate your applications for a work permit if you are undergoing medical treatment
Education and prevention
The CIJM and the ITA are implementing education programs for all participants:
- Information sessions before and during the Games
- Educational materials available online
- Mobile application with anti-doping resources
- Support and advice available in the athletes' village
educational activities Peuvent être required before or during your participation. Failure to comply with these obligations may affect your eligibility.
Contact and Resources
During the Games:
- ITA Anti-Doping Office at the athletes' village
- 24/24 helpline
All year round
Le Monegasque Anti-Doping Committee (CMA) remains at your service throughout the year, especially during periods of official competition.
- Website : onad-monaco.mc
- Mobile app CMA.med is accessible from any internet connection, anywhere in the world.
- Contact details for information requests and AU
Other useful resources:
- WADA website: www.wada-ama.org
- CIJM website: https://cijm.org.gr/
