Your training and competition schedule can take you across Canada and all over the world. Clean sport practices and your anti-doping requirements should be part of your travel plans – just like your passport and a sleep mask!
Add these clean sport basics to your packing list to make sure you don’t forget anything.
Stay up to date on your clean sport education
You need to complete your anti-doping education annually, but if you participate in major events you may have additional requirements – for example, there is an anti-doping education requirement for the Canada Games, but requirements for the Olympics include anti-doping, safe sport, and competition manipulation!
If you have completed a course in the past, you can log in to our Online Learning Portal. New users can use the invitation provided by their sport organization to create an account.
The CCES provides additional information to support athletes going to major games. Get information about the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games below or visit the Milano Cortina 2026 webpage.
Resources
Milano Cortina 2026
Check the status of your medications and apply for an exemption,
if necessary
Are your medications prohibited in sport? To check their status, use Global DRO to search for the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use regularly. If you need help or more information after a Global DRO search, submit a substance inquiry or email us at [email protected].
If your medication is prohibited, use the Medical Exemption Wizard to determine your exemption requirements. For more information, email [email protected].
Check Your Medications
Medical Exemptions
Check the legal status of your medications in the host country
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications that are available in Canada are illegal or controlled in other countries. Before you travel, find out whether you can bring your medication(s) into the country you plan to visit. Some examples of restricted medications include cannabis for medical purposes and those which contain amphetamines, like ADHD medications.
When travelling with medication, you should bring the original prescription and a doctor’s note to explain why you have it.
Visit the Government of Canada’s Travelling with medication webpage for information about travelling abroad with medication and medical equipment.
Government of Canada Resources
Milano Cortina 2026
Most prescription and non-prescription medications are allowed for up to 90 days of personal use. For ADHD medications, narcotics (including cough medications containing codeine), opioids, and other controlled substances, bring your prescription and a doctor’s note explaining the need for the medication. A template is available on the Italian Ministry of Health’s website.
For more information, visit Travelling Internationally with Medicines Containing Prohibited Substances (Italian Ministry of Health).
Refill your prescriptions and be sure to pack enough
You may not be able to get your medication in another country if you run out, so make sure you bring enough for the duration of your travels. Keep your medications in your carry-on luggage when possible.
Remember, a medical exemption is only valid for the specific medications listed. You can’t substitute another medication if you run out.
Be cautious when buying over-the-counter products abroad
Medications or products that are similar to what you buy in Canada may include different ingredients in other countries, even if the name and packaging are the same. You can use Global DRO to look up the products purchased in (always select the right nation of purchase):
- Australia
- Canada
- Japan
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
- United States
In other countries, check whether they have their own database. If the country doesn’t use Global DRO or have a database of their own, and you need to purchase a product, use Global DRO to check the status of individual ingredients in the product.
CCES Resources
Milano Cortina 2026
Italy, host country of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, does not have a medication database.
Avoid Supplements
Athletes often use supplements to manage the challenges of travelling, such as jet lag, altitude sickness, or nutritional support. That said, supplements are also a common cause of anti-doping rule violations, so avoid them or take steps to minimize the risks. Always document your supplements so you can declare them during sample collection.
CCES Resources
Avoid Cannabis
Cannabis is illegal in most countries and is illegal to possess while travelling. You can’t cross the Canadian border with cannabis. If you have it with you, you must declare it to border services. Cannabis is also prohibited in competition for athletes. The best way to avoid issues while travelling and/or a possible anti-doping rule violation, is to avoid cannabis altogether.
More Information
Milano Cortina 2026
It is illegal to buy or sell cannabis for recreational purposes in Italy. Use for recreational purposes is largely decriminalized. Possession of small amounts for personal use is a civil infraction. Medical cannabis is legal in Italy. Be aware of food contamination.
Be aware of contaminated food
In most places, you can eat and drink without worrying about an anti-doping rule violation. However, in some areas of the world, food and drink have been linked to positive anti-doping tests. For example:
- Sometimes, steroids like clenbuterol are used to bulk up livestock in Asia and South America.
- Drinking traditional coca tea in Peru caused a positive test for a cocaine metabolite.
Testing positive due to meat contamination is rare. You should still remain vigilant when you travel and be mindful when you purchase meat products. When you travel, consider the following steps to minimize your risk:
- Check to see if your destination is known for food contamination issues.
- Have a food plan before you travel.
- If you rely on specific snacks or sports foods, bring enough for the duration of your trip.
- Ask event organizers about the food that is provided to athletes.
- Seek recommendations from trusted locals for reliable places to eat.
- Keep receipts, records, or even photos of food and drink purchases.
The CCES will try to identify when a positive test is due to contaminated meat. This is done through a combination of science and investigation.
More Information
- Contaminated Meat and Anti-Doping (Global Sports Advocates)
- Potential Cases of Meat Contamination (WADA)
Milano Cortina 2026
There are currently no advisories related to food contamination or production in Italy that you should be aware of.
Italy follows Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for manufactured and imported products. This provides assurances that food products made in Italy followed food safety production processes and passed relevant inspections that are compliant with European Union regulations.
That said, athletes should be mindful of the tips provided above when they compete abroad and are encouraged to eat at official Games food service locations (e.g., the Athletes' Village).