Yahoo! MailIRISH ORIENTEERING ASSOCIATION

IRISH ORIENTEERING ASSOCIATION

ORIENTEERING: Rules, 1996 Edition

GENERAL GO

1.1 Applicability GO

1.2 Definition and Basic Characteristics of Orienteering GO

1.3 Fairness GO

1.4 Respect for property and the public GO

1.5 Event Safety GO

1.6 Appendices and Guidelines GO

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPETITIONS GO 2.1 Forms of Competition GO

2.2 Types of competition GO

2.3 Categories of competition GO

ADMINISTRATION GO 3.1 Financial Responsibility GO

3.2 Registration of Events GO

3.3 Event Permissions GO

OFFICIALS GO 4.1 Organiser GO

4.2 Mapper GO

4.3 Planner(s) GO

4.4 Controller(s) GO

4.5 Technical Adviser GO

4.6 Mapping Adviser GO

ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY GO 5.1 Eligibility GO

5.2 Club Representation GO

5.3 Entry GO

CLASSES FOR COMPETITION GO 6.1 Division by gender and age GO

6.2 Individual events GO

6.3 Irish Relay Championships GO

MAPS AND COURSE MARKING ON THE MAP GO 7.1 Maps GO

7.2 Course markings on the map GO

7.3 Pre-marked maps GO

7.4 Master map and map corrections GO

CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS GO 8.1 Control description list GO

8.2 Presentation GO

8.3 Description of individual controls GO

THE COMPETITION GO 9.1 Dress and Equipment GO

9.2 Start Lists GO

9.3 The Start GO

9.4 Conduct during the Competition GO

9.5 The Course and Position of Controls GO

9.4 The Control GO

9.7 Control Cards GO

9.8 The Finish GO

9.9 Results GO

PROTESTS JURIES AND APPEALS GO 10.1 Protests GO

10.2 Composition of Jury GO

10.3 Responsibility of Jury GO

10.4 Appeals GO

INTERPRETATION GO

IOF CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS GO

THE FARMLAND CODE OF CONDUCT GO

A2.1 Code. GO DOPE CONTROL RULES GO A3.1 General GO

A3.2 Testing Procedure GO

A3.3. Positive Findings of Tests and Penalties GO

A3.4 Testing Programme GO

A3.5 Interpretation GO

Rule 1

GENERAL

1.1 Applicability

1.1.1 These rules shall apply to all open competitions held in Ireland or elsewhere by the Irish Orienteering Association (IOA) and all clubs, organisations or Constituent Associations affiliated thereto.

1.1.2 These rules shall be binding on all competitors, team officials and all other persons connected with the organisation of the competition or in contact with the competitors. Competitors taking part in competitions to which these rules apply shall be deemed to have accepted them.

1.1.3 Ignorance of these rules, or any other instructions issued by the Organiser by way of notice (whether with pre-race information or prominently displayed at the competition), shall not be accepted as a satisfactory explanation of any infringement.

1.1.4 Upon application by a Constituent Association, the IOA Technical Committee may give a dispensation to waive specific rules at Open or Local Events, held under the auspices of that Constituent Association.

1.1.5 At all Open or Local Events where circumstances indicate that it is appropriate for a specific rule to be waived, the Controller (or if in the case of a local event a Controller is not appointed, the Organiser) may permit this, provided due notification is given to competitors.

1.1.6 For all events of Championship status or lower, the IOA Executive may, upon application by a Constituent Association, waive or modify any rule (s). The requested deviation from the rules shall be reasonable.

1.2 Definition and Basic Characteristics of Orienteering 1.2.1 Orienteering is a sport in which the competitor independently, aided by a map and compass (optionally), has to complete a course on foot, visiting a number of features, termed controls, marked in the terrain and on the map. In an orienteering competition the task is to complete this course in the shortest possible time, visiting each control in the prescribed order, and recording visits in the prescribed manner.

1.2.2 In orienteering, both speed and navigating skill of the competitor shall be tested, but in such a way that the test of navigating skill at speed will be decisive.

1.2.3 Competitors take part singly and independently, unless entered as pairs or groups in competitions that permit such entry.

1.2.4 Orienteering competitions should be held primarily in forested or other terrain that adequately tests map reading, and of which the competitors, as far as possible have no prior knowledge.

1.2.5 The element of luck involved in solving the set of orienteering problems shall be minimised.

1.2.6 Money prizes, as such, shall never be given. However, IOA-approved training grants are permitted where the grant is directed exclusively to funding foreign competition/training or travel for orienteering purposes. Vouchers for orienteering gear/equipment are likewise permitted.

1.3 Fairness 1.3.1 The spirit of fairness and good fellowship shall be the primary consideration in all aspects of the sport, including interpretation of these rules.

1.3.2 Competitors shall not seek to obtain any unfair advantage over other competitors.

1.3.3 Competitors shall not collaborate in any way.

1.3.4 Before or during the competition, competitors shall not seek unfair help or information from other competitors, team officials, event officials or spectators, unless by so doing they retire from the competition. Spectators and team officials shall not influence the competition and shall remain in the areas assigned to them. No unauthorised persons shall enter the race area.

1.3.5 An individual competitor shall not intentionally run with, or behind, another competitor in order to profit from his skill.

1.3.6 Any search for the competition course or inspection of the competition area before the race is forbidden.

1.3.7 A competitor who has trained in an area either:-

(i) after the area has been published in the IOA Fixtures List or elsewhere as the competition area for a competition of Grade 1 status or above, or (ii) knowing that it is intended to be used for such a competition, shall notify the Organiser of the competition, and shall be treated as a non-competitive entrant in the competition. 1.3.8 It is forbidden for a competitor to indulge in any form of doping.

1.3.9 A competitor who is demonstrated to have broken any of rules 1.3.2 to 1.3.8 shall be disqualified unless there are sufficient extenuating circumstances.

1.4 Respect for property and the public 1.4.1 Nothing shall be done to prejudice the goodwill of landowners, their tenants or agents. Competitors shall comply with all requests made by such persons and notified to them by the Organiser. Competitors and officials shall ensure that every effort is made to ensure that no damage is done to the environment, and shall co-operate wherever possible with those statutorily responsible for environmental conservation.

1.4.2 The existence of an orienteering map does not of itself give the right of access to any area.

1.4.3 Prior to the date of the competition the Organiser shall obtain full permission (preferably in writing) for orienteering from the landowners and their tenants or agents, for any land likely to be used by the competition.

1.4.4 Any areas for which such permission is not obtained, or is refused, shall be indicated as "out of bounds" on the competition map. All competitors shall ensure that they accurately note "out of bounds" areas notified by the Organiser by way of map corrections as set out in Rule 7.4.

1.4.5 Competitors shall treat as "out of bounds",

(i) yards and gardens
(ii) sown land, or land with standing crops (including hay)
(iii) railways
(iv) motorways
(v) industrial lands/quarries unless the Organiser has given specific instructions to the contrary. 1.4.6 Competitors shall not enter "out of bounds" areas and shall be liable to disqualification if they do so. If a competitor finds that he has inadvertently entered an "out of bounds" area, he shall immediately leave that area by the shortest practical route.

1.4.7 Any competitor whose right to be in an area is challenged shall stop, explain his presence, comply with any reasonable request (even if this means abandoning a race) and inform the person making the challenge of the location of a responsible official. The competitor shall give an account of the occurrence to the Organiser (or, if he is not available, another responsible official) as soon as possible.

1.4.8 Where crossing points are indicated on the map they shall be used, unless the Organiser has instructed that their use is optional.

1.4.9 Competitors shall take care to avoid any damage, and shall report to a responsible official any damage done or seen to have been done.

1.4.10 Respect and consideration shall be shown to all members of the public in or near the competition area. No litter shall be left, and all competitors shall comply with the Farmland Code of Conduct.

1.4.11 There shall be no smoking in the competition area.

1.5 Event Safety 1.5.1 All competitors in any competition to which these rules apply take part entirely at their own risk.

1.5.2 Every competitor who has started the competition shall report to the finish, whether or not he has completed the course. A competitor who loses his control card shall report the fact to a responsible finish official.

1.5.3 At all competitions the Organiser shall arrange for effective first-aid to be available at the finish, and shall be able to arrange the transfer of any casualty to an accident hospital.

1.5.4 At all competitions the Organiser shall ensure that sufficient help and equipment is available to mount a search for a missing competitor.

1.5.5 The course shall be planned so that dangerous features, such as quarries, high crags and deep marshes, and out of bounds areas, can be avoided easily. Dangerous features should be marked with yellow tape if they are in an area likely to be visited by any competitors, and are not already clearly marked as dangerous. Yellow tape shall not be used for any other purpose.

1.6 Appendices and Guidelines 1.6.1 The following Appendices from the BOF 1992 Appendices and Guidelines shall be treated as an integral part of the IOA Rules:-
Appendix 1. Control Descriptions as now set out for IOA. Appendix 2. The Farmland Code of Conduct Appendix 3. Dope Control Rules

1.6.2 The following Guidelines shall be treated as an integral part of the IOA Rules:-

Guideline:
1. Environmental Good Practice
2. Principles of Course Planning
3. Colour Coded Events
4. Grade 1 (C3) Events
5. National and Regional Championship Events and Irish 2-Day
6. Major Relay Events
7. Night Events
8. Score Events
9A. Checks for Finishers
9B. Missing Competitors
9C. Prevention & Treatment of Exposure
9D. Prevention and Treatment of Heat Exhaustion
10. Seeding and Start List Policies
11. Entry Dates
12. String Courses
13. Issue of Control Descriptions
14. Sprint-O
15. Juries, Protests and Appeals
16. Crossing Points RULE 2

CLASSIFICATION OF COMPETITIONS

2.1 Forms of Competition

2.1.1 Day competition: At competitions of Grade 1 Event status and above the first start shall be at least one hour after sunrise and the last start so that competitors may finish safely before sunset. The Organiser should designate a course closing time.

2.1.2 Night competition: The course of a night competition other than a Local Event shall be run entirely in the dark and the first start shall be at least one hour after sunset.

2.1.3 Combined competition: A relay competition may be arranged so that some courses are run by day, and some by night. In such competitions a mass start shall be used.

2.2 Types of competition 2.2.1 Individual: The competitors compete separately, and the results are based on individual performance.

2.2.2 Relay: A relay team has two or more runners. Each runner completes his course as in an individual competition.

2.2.3 Score: Rule 1.2.2 does not apply. Instead, competitors score points by finding controls in any order, in a pre-selected time. The winner is the competitor with the highest score. Penalty points should be imposed on competitors taking longer than the specified time; and bonus points may be awarded to those who finish early and having punched all controls.

2.3 Categories of competition 2.3.1 International competition: (a) Open International competitions, categorised as International A or International B Events on the IOF Fixture List.

International A Events shall comply with all provisions of the IOF Rules for International Orienteering Events.

(b) Closed International competitions, where entry is restricted (e.g. international matches). Any such competitions categorised as International C Events on the IOF Fixture List shall comply with all provisions of the IOF Rules for International Orienteering Events.

2.3.2 Irish Championships: (a) IOA in conjunction with NIOA shall be responsible for organising, for each calendar year:- (i) the Irish Championships, which shall be an individual competition.

(ii) the Irish Relay Championships, which shall be a relay competition.

(b) Rule 1.2.2 shall apply to any Irish Championships. (c) IOA Executive shall approve the appointment of the Constituent Association or Club which is to carry out the preparation for any Irish Championships.
(d) IOA Technical Committee or the IOA Executive shall approve the appointment of the Organiser, Planner(s), and Controller of any Irish Championships. 2.3.3 Other Competitions: IOA Fixtures Officer or Committee shall be responsible for the preparation of the IOA Fixtures Lists. Competitions included in such Fixture Lists shall be classified according to status as follows:- (i) C1 - International Competitions and Irish Championships.
(ii) C2 - Regional Championships, Interprovincial Championships, Irish Two-Day Championship and Shamrock O-Ringen.
(iii) C3 - Grade 1 Events
(iv) C4 - Open Events (including colour coded Events) - Grade 2 Events.
(v) Local Events - Grade 3 Events. 2.3.4 Grade 1 Events: Grade 1 Events should be planned and organised to the standards set out in Guideline 4.

2.3.5 Colour Coded Events: Colour Coded Events should be planned and organised to the standards set out in Guideline 3 for Colour Coded Events.
2.3.6 All Grade 1 events shall be approved by the Regional Technical Officer prior to proposal to IOA Fixtures Officer. In the event of disagreement the IOA Technical Officer shall have the final decision.

RULE 3

ADMINISTRATION

3.1 Financial Responsibility

3.1.1 IOA shall take financial responsibility for any Irish Championship, Closed International competition or Open International competition for which IOA Executive has accepted responsibility, unless prior agreement has been reached with a Constituent Association or club involved in the organisation of the competition.

3.1.2 For all other competitions the organising club or body shall take financial responsibility, unless prior agreement has been reached with a Constituent Association.

3.2 Registration of Events 3.2.1 All competitions shall be registered with the National Fixtures Officer, via the Constituent Association Fixtures Officer, following the procedure prescribed by the National Fixtures Officer. 3.3 Event Permissions

3.3.1 Permission for any orienteering activity of Open event status or above shall be obtained from the Fixtures Officer of the Constituent Association in whose area the land wholly or partly lies.

RULE 4

OFFICIALS

4.1 Organiser

4.1.1 For all competitions the Organiser should take responsibility for the competition. He should ensure that such further officials as are necessary are appointed.

4.1.2 The Organiser shall have membership of the IOA.

4.2 Mapper 4.2.1 The mapper shall be responsible for the surveying, drawing and printing of the competition map.

4.2.2 The mapper shall obtain the permission of all holders of copyright of any map or map information before using such map or map information in the preparation of his map.

4.3 Planner(s) 4.3.1 For all competitions the Planner shall design the courses and be responsible for preparing the:

(i) control markers

(ii) overprinted maps or master maps

(iii) control description lists and for the correct placing of the control markers prior to the competition.

4.3.2 Other than for Local Events the Planner shall have membership of the IOA.

4.3.3 For any competition of Championship status or above the Planner shall have previously planned a Grade 1 Event and shown competence in course planning, as judged by the Constituent Association in whose area the event took place.

4.4 Controller(s) 4.4.1 A Controller shall be appointed for all competitions of Open Event status or above and should be appointed for all local events. The Controller may appoint, or request the Organiser to appoint, one or more assistant Controllers.

4.4.2 The Controller shall be responsible for ensuring that the courses are fair, and that the competition is organised fairly and in accordance with these rules. If he becomes aware that any breach of these rules has occurred, or is likely to occur, he shall take whatever action he considers necessary. The Controller may require the Organiser to cancel the competition if necessary. Subject to Rule 10 his decision in all matters shall be final.

4.4.3 Controllers shall be graded as follows:

(a) Grade 1:The individual shall: (i) have been appointed a Grade 2 Controller

(ii) have competence and experience consistent with the individual being able to take on the highest level of responsibility. Minimum experience will normally include

1. organisation of a Grade 1 Event or Grade 2 Event 2. planning of a substantial number of competitions, including at least one Grade 1 Event.

3. controlling at least one competition in the last two years, of Grade 1 or 2 status.

(iii) be appointed by IOA Technical Committee or Executive who shall require full particulars of the experience of the individual to be given. (b) Grade 2:The individual shall: (i) have attended a Controller course
(ii) have controlled a competition on the IOA Fixtures List and shown competence in controlling

(iii) have organised a competition on the IOA Fixtures List

(iv) have planned a competition of at least Grade 2 Event status, and shown competence in planning
(v) be recommended by his Constituent Association, and have this recommendation approved by IOA Technical Officer.

4.4.4 All Controllers shall have membership of the IOA or affiliated associations of the IOF. 4.4.5 IOA Technical Committee shall review the grading of Controllers, and may regrade Controllers if this is considered desirable. A Constituent Association should notify IOA Technical Committee if a Grade 1 Controller has not acted as a Controller, Planner, or Organiser of a competition in the last three years.

4.4.6

(a) The Controller of an International event and Irish Championships shall be a Grade 1 Controller with previous experience of controlling Grade 1 Events (b) The Controller of a Championship Event shall be a Grade 1 Controller with previous experience of controlling Grade 1 Events.

4.4.7

(a) The Controller of any competition of Championship Event status or above shall normally come from a different club to that of the Organiser and Planner(s). At any Irish Championships Event the Controller should preferably come from a different Constituent Association to that of the Organiser and Planner(s). (b) The Controller of a Grade 1 Event should preferably come from a different club to that of the Organiser and Planner.

4.4.8 All Controllers shall be conversant with the IOA Rules of Competition

4.5 Technical Adviser 4.5.1 For all International Events a technical adviser may be appointed by the IOA Technical Committee in consultation with the IOA International Officer. He would be responsible for ensuring that the competition is in accordance with the IOF Rules of Competition, and shall give such guidance to the Planner and Organiser as he sees fit.

4.5.2 The Technical Adviser shall immediately report any unresolved dispute he has with the Controller to the IOA Technical Officer, who shall decide the matter.

4.6 Mapping Adviser 4.6.1 A Mapping Adviser may be appointed by the IOA to all events of International status. RULE 5

ELIGIBILITY AND ENTRY

5.1 Eligibility

5.1.1 Subject to Rules 5.1.2 and 5.1.4, all individual, group or family members of IOA are eligible to take part in all open competitions to which these rules apply.

5.1.2 A competitor is eligible to take part competitively in any Irish Championships if:

(1) he is a member of a club or organisation affiliated to the IOA or to the NIOA and (2) (a) He was born in Ireland or (b) He has a spouse or at least one parent who was born in Ireland or (c) He has been resident in Ireland for at least six of the ten months preceding the Championships or (d) He has been resident in Ireland for at least two of the five years preceding the Championships or (e) He is currently in full-time education in Ireland.

5.1.3 A competitor is eligible to take part competitively in any other Championship Event if:-

(i) he is an individual, group or family member of IOA or NIOA on the day of that competition, or (ii) he is also affiliated to a member Federation of the IOF other than IOA and cannot satisfy Rule 5.1.2(2)(b). However the title of "Regional Champion" may be restricted to members of actual Region.

5.1.4 At competitions of Grade 1 Event status or above, the Organiser shall declare as non-competitive any entrant who is so well acquainted with the terrain that he would derive substantial advantage over other competitors. Nothing which has occurred more than 12 months before the date of the competition shall be taken into account in deciding how well acquainted a competitor is with the terrain. A competitor may appeal against a decision of the Organiser to the committee of the Constituent Association in whose area the competition takes place.

5.2 Club Representation

5.2.1 A competitor may compete for any one open club and any one closed club in a calendar year. A competitor may transfer to, and compete for, a second open club if he provides one months formal notice to and ceases to compete for, the first-mentioned open club. A competitor may transfer to, and compete for, a second closed club if he ceases to be a member of one institution which qualifies him to be a member of a closed club, joins an institution which qualifies him to be a member of a second closed club, and ceases to compete for the first-mentioned closed club.

5.2.2 A competitor shall only represent one club at any competition, except by agreement with the Organiser.

5.3 Entry 5.3.1 For competition with pre-entry the closing date for entries shall be as late as practicable before the competition. At all competitions other than Irish Championships and Internationals the closing date shall not be more than 14 days before the competition.

5.3.2 For competitions with pre-entry the Organiser should send notifications of start times so that they are received by competitors at least five days before the competition. For multi-day events this rule may only apply to the first day.

5.3.3 The Organiser shall have discretion to refuse or revoke an entry, or put a competitor in a lower course if he feels the entrant would not complete the course.

5.3.4 At competitions of Grade 1 Event status or above, a competitor shall not take part under an assumed name. An entry to a competition shall not be assigned to another competitor by the original entrant unless the permission of the Organiser is obtained. Competitors contravening this rule by accepting an assignment shall be disqualified.

RULE 6

CLASSES FOR COMPETITION

6.1 Division by gender and age

6.1.1 A competitor changes from one age category to the next on the 1st January of the calendar year in which he reaches the age of the older age category.

6.1.2 If age categories are used they shall be as follows:

Men Women Age
M10- W10- 10, 9 and 8
M12- W12- 11 and 12
M14- W14- 13 and 14
M16- W16- 15 and 16
M18- W18- 17 and 18
M20- W20- 19 and 20
M21 W21 21 to 34
M35 W35 35 to 39
M40 W40 40 to 44
M45 W45 45 to 49
M50 W50 50 to 54
M55 W55 55 to 59
M60 W60 60 to 64
M65 W65 65 and above 6.1.3 The age categories may be split further for a competition with an entry concentrated within a narrow age range (e.g. a schools event).

6.1.4 Women may run in Men's classes

6.2 Individual events Unless approval of the IOA Executive is obtained:
6.2.1 There shall be courses offered for all age categories set out in Rule 6.1.2 at; (a) the Irish Championships (individual day competition)

(b) any Open International individual competition

6.2.2 At competitions of Grade 1 Event status courses shall be provided for all the age categories set out in Rule
6.1.2, unless the Organiser has specified in the pre-event information which alternative class listing is being offered. Furthermore the Organiser, with the approval of the Controller, may decide to amalgamate courses or classes (for instance, where insufficient competitors to provide a good contest have entered for a particular class).

6.2.3 Notwithstanding Rules 6.2.1 and 6.2.2, at night competitions no courses shall be provided for age categories younger than M16- and W16-.

6.2.4 At competitions of Grade 1 Event status and above A and B classes may be offered for

M/W 12-, M/W 14-, M/W 16-, M/W 18-, and M/W 20- Age classes.

These B classes shall be technically easier than the A class.

At competitions of Grade 1 Event status and above, Long and Short courses may be offered for all M/W21 - M/W65 classes. The short course shall be of the same technical difficulty and approx. 65% of the length of the long course.

6.2.5 At competitions of Grade 1 Event status or above courses suitable for novice competitors should be provided (e.g. M/W21 Novice).

6.2.6 At any competition competitors may compete in any age category class more demanding than their own, except that men may not compete in women's classes. (For example M35 or older may compete in younger classes down to M21 and W20- or younger may compete in older classes up to M/W21)

6.3 Irish Relay Championships 6.3.1 Classes for competition shall be provided as follows:- Open 14- or under W14- or under
Open 18- or under W18- or under
Premier W Open
Open 40 or older W40 or older
Open 50 or older
Ad-hoc (Club) Ad-hoc (Mixed)

Further or alternative classes may only be provided with the prior permission of IOA Technical Committee.

6.3.2 Except for the mixed Ad Hoc class, all members of a competitive team shall belong to the same recognised club. At the Irish Relay Championships this club shall be affiliated to the IOA or NIOA.

6.3.3 At any provincial Relay Championships, classes for Competition as set out in 6.3.1 should be provided.

RULE 7

MAPS AND COURSE MARKING ON THE MAP

7.1 Maps

7.1.1 As far as possible, any map used for a competition shall use symbols recommended by IOF. Any symbols used which are additional to, or different from, those recommended by IOF shall be shown in the legend on the map. At competitions of Grade 1 Events status or above such symbols shall be notified and fully described in pre-race information made available to all competitors.

7.1.2 All competition maps should carry the following information:

(a) Name of area.

(b) Grid reference of an identified point in the area.

(d) Contour Interval.

(e) Date of last revision.

(f) O.S. Permit Number.

and should provide the following:

(g) Names of chief surveyor(s) and cartographer(s).

(h) Name of printer.

(i) Holder of copyright. (Club Name Only).

7.1.3 The map should not be greatly larger than is required for the competition. 7.2 Course markings on the map 7.2.1 The starting point of the course shall be marked by an equilateral triangle of side 7mm which should point to the first control.

7.2.2 The site of each control shall be shown as the centre of a circle of 5-6mm diameter with no dot marking the central point. This circle should be broken to avoid obscuring important detail.

7.2.3 Where the control feature is shown on the map symbolically rather than to scale, the circle shall be drawn so that the feature lies exactly at the centre.

7.2.4 The position of the Finish shall be shown on all maps used in the competition as the centre of two concentric circles 5mm and 7mm in diameter.

7.2.5 If the controls are to be visited in a prescribed order, they shall be joined by straight lines. These lines should be broken to avoid obscuring important details, and diverted to meet up with taped routes or to avoid lakes, "out of bounds" or other areas which cannot be crossed by competitors.

7.2.6 Any part of the course where the competitor is obliged to follow a compulsory route shall be clearly and precisely indicated on the map by a dashed line.

7.2.7 The controls shall be numbered in the prescribed sequence, if any. The numbers shall be printed on a north-south axis, with the top north, and should be positioned so that they do not obscure any important detail.

7.2.8 Forbidden routes (e.g. busy roads) shall be shown by a chain of crosses.

7.2.9 Crossing points shall be indicated by curved brackets i.e. )(.

7.3 Pre-marked maps 7.3.1 At all competitions of Championship Event status or above, the competitors shall receive maps with their courses and map corrections pre-marked. Such arrangements are also preferable at Grade 1 Events. It is undesirable to mix this arrangement, (termed "pre-marked maps") with that set out in Rule 7.4 below, but if there is such a mix there shall be no time allowance for copying the course from the master map.

7.3.2 The course and map corrections should be overprinted in waterproof transparent red/violet (PMS purple) colour.

7.3.3 Pre-marked maps should show the control description list on the front of the map wherever possible.

7.3.4 If the pre-marked maps are not printed on waterproof material they shall be protected by a plastic covering of at least 300 gauge (400 gauge if the map unit size exceeds A4) prior to issue to competitors.

7.4 Master map and map corrections 7.4.1 For Grade 1 Events, if pre-marked maps are not used, then competitors shall copy their course from master maps after they have been timed as having started. Rules 7.4.2 to 7.4.9 shall then apply.

7.4.2 The competitors shall have the opportunity to receive their maps, and make any necessary corrections to them, at least 30 minutes before their start times.

7.4.3 If corrections have to be made to the map, an adequate number of maps detailing the map corrections, termed "map corrections", shall be displayed near registration.

7.4.4 Map corrections shall be shown in colour contrasting with the rest of the map, and shall contain a written indication of the type of correction. The total number of corrections shall be stated, and the corrections serially numbered.

7.4.5 Each master map shall show

(a) the course, marked as required by Rule 7.2

(b) all relevant corrections

7.4.6 If the master maps are displayed in the open both the master map and the area in which they are copied should be adequately protected from the weather.

7.4.7 Each master map shall be mounted on a board or other firm surface large enough to provide a base for the competitor's map as he copies the course.

7.4.8 There shall be sufficient master maps for each course.

7.4.9 Where there are master maps for more than one course, they shall be clearly distinguishable to approaching competitors.

RULE 8

CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS

8.1 Control description list

8.1.1 The purpose of the control description is to give greater precision to the picture provided by the map of the control feature and the site of the marker.

8.1.2 The control description list for individual or relay competitions shall contain the following information:

(i) Course number or code, unless printed elsewhere on the map.

(ii) Class or classes participating on the course.

(iii) Course length in metres as defined by rule 9.5.2 to the nearest 5 metres.

(iv) For competitions of Grade 1 Event status or above, total climb in metres for the route chosen under 9.5.2 for course length to the nearest 5 metres.

(v) Description of Start position and of individual controls in sequence.

(vi) Any special instructions or cautions.

(vii) Length and nature of any marked route during the course, and from last control to the finish.

(viii) Course closure time if not marked on the control card label.

8.1.3 The control description list for score competitions shall contain the following information: (i) Description of the Start position.
(ii) Description of individual controls together with their points values (unless equally weighted).

(iii) Time allowed for the competition.

(iv) Any special instructions or cautions.

8.2 Presentation 8.2.1 At Championship Competitions and above the standard pictorial symbols recognised by the IOF (termed IOF symbols) shall be used.

At Grade 1 Competitions the IOF symbols should be used. However plain text descriptions shall be provided for M/W10-, M/W12-, M/W14- and Novice courses.

8.2.2 If IOF symbols are used, they shall comply with the specification set out in Appendix 1.

8.2.3 If IOF symbols are used and it becomes necessary to use a symbol other than those set out in Appendix 1, then an example of the special symbol and a detailed explanation of its meaning shall be included in the pre-race information.

8.2.4 If written descriptions are used, a blank line should be left after every third or fourth description, and either side of any instructions included within the body of the descriptions.

8.2.5 The control description list may be printed on the map or on a separate sheet.

8.3 Description of individual controls 8.3.1 If IOF symbols are used, each control shall be described in accordance with IOF descriptions, which is broadly:- A. Control number, in the sequence to be visited, unless the competition is a score competition.

B. Control Code.

C. Which feature, if there is more than one similar feature within the circle defining the control on the map.

D. The control feature, as shown at the centre of the circle.

E. Further information on the appearance or nature of the feature. Where applicable, this should be in accordance with the definitions of Appendix 1.

F. Size of feature. Dimensions should be given where the size of the control feature on the map is symbolic rather than to scale. Maximum heights and maximum depths shall be stated in metres (to the nearest 0.5m for dimensions below 3m, otherwise to the nearest metre). Horizontal dimensions shall be stated to the nearest metre.

G. Position of the marker. This should be defined in accordance with Appendix 1.

H. Other important information.

Each section corresponds to a box (greater than 6mm square when printed) on an eight column grid.

Examples of control descriptions using IOF symbols are given in Appendix 1.

8.3.2 If written descriptions are used, sufficient information shall be given to define the control feature clearly, in accordance with the procedures of Rule 8.3.1. RULE 9

THE COMPETITION

9.1 Dress and Equipment

9.1.1 Subject to Rule 9.1.2, clothing shall fully cover the torso and legs. In other respects the choice shall be free. Competitors not complying with this Rule shall not be allowed to start.

9.1.2 If the competition area contains little or no undergrowth likely to cause leg abrasions, Controllers may give notice that Competitors are not required to wear clothing which fully covers the legs.

9.1.3 Controllers, having regard to the nature of the terrain or weather conditions, may give notice that a cagoule or other weatherproof garment shall be carried throughout the race by all competitors. In such circumstances a competitor not carrying a cagoule or other weatherproof garment shall not be permitted to start the race.

9.1.4 A whistle should always be carried, and shall only be used in an emergency. Controllers having regard to the nature of the terrain or weather conditions, may give notice that a whistle shall be carried by all competitors. In such circumstances a Competitor not carrying a whistle shall not be permitted to start the race.

9.1.5 Competitors shall wear any numbers provided, in the position and manner specified by the Organiser. In particular the name of any Sponsor shown on the number shall not be obliterated.

9.1.6 During the competition only the map provided by the Organiser shall be used.

9.1.7 The use of any navigational aid other than a compass is prohibited.

9.2 Start Lists 9.2.1 At individual competitions of Grade 1 Event status or above, no competitor shall be timed to start on the same course within one minute of another competitor except as allowed by Rule 9.3.3.

9.2.2 Rule 9.2.1 shall not apply to score competitions, or when a "chasing start" is used.

9.2.3 At individual competitions of Championship Event status or above, a list of all competitors and their start times should be displayed

(a) at an enquiry point sited at or near the assembly area,
AND

(b) at the pre-start.

9.2.4 At individual competitions of Championship Event status or above the start list for Elite classes shall be prepared as prescribed in Guideline 10 of these Rules, and shall not take account of any expressed preferences of the Competitors.

9.3 The Start

9.3.1 At competitions of Grade 1 Event status or above, the start and the map issue point or master maps should be sited in such a way that Competitors waiting to start cannot see the route taken by competitors who have started. The courses should be designed so that competitors are unlikely to return past the timed start on the way to the first control.

9.3.2 At all competitions of Open Event status and above the position of the centre of the start triangle shown on the map shall be identified on the ground by a control marker and be on a mapped feature. Where a map exchange or a 2nd set of Master Maps are used the position of the Start of the next section of the course shall be marked on the ground by a control marker if it is significantly away from the last control.

9.3.3 At events of Championship Event status or above Competitors late for their starts through no fault of the Organiser should be started as soon as possible but should be timed as if they had started at the time given on the start list. The Competitors' actual start times should be noted and, with the specific approval of the Controller, may be used as a revised start time.

At events of Grade 1 status and below, start officials may, with the approval of the Organiser and Controller, change the start times. Rule 9.2.1 shall be observed.

9.3.4 If pre-marked maps are used, copies of the map showing no information other than any map corrections essential to the competition should be displayed and available for study before the start line.

9.3.5 At individual competitions competitors should receive their pre-marked maps not more than 10 seconds before the start time. Competitors should check to ensure that they receive the correct map.

9.3.6 At relay competitions, competitors shall not examine their pre-marked maps until they have started.

9.4 Conduct during the Competition 9.4.1 It is the duty of a Competitor to give help to an injured competitor even if this means abandoning the race.

9.4.2 Shouting and calling are prohibited. Competitors shall not deliberately draw attention to themselves.

9.4.3 Competitors shall follow any reasonable instructions given by Race Officials. Competitors shall show their control card to any Official on request. Competitors shall behave in a courteous manner towards such Officials. Any breach of this Rule may lead to disqualification.

9.4.4 Competitors shall follow in its entirety any compulsory route including that leading from the start or to the finish of the course.

9.5 The Course and Position of Controls 9.5.1 The course shall be appropriate to the age, gender and standard of competitors expected to take part and should, where relevant, be planned in accordance with the Recommended Race Times and standards of technical and physical difficulty set out in the appropriate Guideline for the particular type of event.

9.5.2 The course length shall be measured

(a) without taking account of the height difference

(b) following the straightest route a competitor could reasonably take (i.e. round lakes, "out of bounds" areas, impassable deep ravines, crags etc.)

(d) from start line to finish line

9.5.3 The height gained shall be measured along the course length measured as in 9.5.2 (a) following the straightest route a competitor could reasonably take (i.e. round lakes, "out of bounds" areas, particularly steep hills or deep ravines, crags etc.)

(b) including any compulsory routes

9.5.4 Compulsory routes shall be marked (a) in day competition by distinctive markings of colours other than yellow.

(b) in night competitions by white markings or lights.

9.5.5 Features used as controls shall be clearly defined, distinct from the surrounding terrain, and shall be marked on the map. At competitions of Grade 1 Event status and above, a control shall not be placed on a feature inserted on the map as a map correction made by the competitor.

9.5.6 Controls shall be sited so that the competitor can locate them with an accuracy consistent with the scale of the map and the amount of detail shown near the control.

9.5.7 The control marker shall be placed on the feature indicated on the map. The precise position of the control marker in relation to the feature shall be in accordance with the control description.

9.5.8 The control marker should be visible from all directions of approach unless the control description indicates otherwise. Control markers should be sited so that the presence of competitors does not affect the difficulty of locating a control.

9.6 The Control 9.6.1 The control shall be identified on the ground by a three sided marker with each side vertical and 30 cm square, divided diagonally bottom left to top right, the top left half being white, the bottom right half normally being orange (preferably PMS165). Other types of marker may be used at Local Events.

9.6.2 The control code shall be clearly displayed, adjacent to or on the marker. The code shall be a number greater than 30 or two letters. The numbers or letters shall be black, 5-8cm high, line width 5-8mm. If the code is positioned horizontally, letters or numbers that could be confused if read upside down shall be underlined. The code shall be visible from the marking devices.

9.6.3 Sufficient marking devices shall be visible and easily accessible within 1m of the control.

9.6.4 Marking devices shall be positioned in such a way that competitors may endorse a control card attached to any reasonable part of their clothing.

9.6.5 At competitions of Championship Event status and above, the layout of the control marker, code and marking devices should be the same for all controls. A model control should be displayed at the pre-start.

9.6.6 Except for the exercise of their duty, officials at controls shall not interfere with competitors, nor give any information on times or positions. As far as possible the presence of a control official should not help, hinder or distract the Competitor in any way.

9.7 Control Cards

9.7.1 Competitors shall be responsible for marking their Control Card clearly and in the correct box at each control. A competitor who hands in an incorrect or illegible control card shall be classed as disqualified, unless the Controller is satisfied that the Competitor has completed the course correctly.

9.7.2 A competitor who loses a Control Card, or hands in an incomplete control card, shall be classed as retired unless the Controller is satisfied that the course has been completed correctly.

9.7.3 Competitors who mispunch at a control shall repunch in either a box provided for this on the control card or in the highest numbered box if this is not used on that course. The competitor is responsible for reporting the facts to the finish officials. Notwithstanding these technicalities, if a competitor can clearly demonstrate that he has visited all the controls (by reference to his Control Card punch marks), then he shall not be disqualified by virtue of this rule.

9.8 The Finish 9.8.1 The run-in to the Finish shall be bounded by suitable tapes or ropes and shall narrow on approaching the finish line. A taped funnel narrowing to prevent competitors passing one another after the finish line shall lead to the Control Card collection point.

Competitors may be required to hand in their maps.

A simpler system may be used at local events.

9.8.2 The precise position of the finishing line shall be clear to all competitors approaching it.

9.8.3 As the Competitor's torso crosses the finishing line, the time taken shall be taken to the completed second.

9.8.4 The Organiser shall ensure that the system used will allot the correct time to each competitor.

9.8.5 Competitors who have finished are not entitled to re-enter the competition area until the courses close.

9.8.6 At relay competitions, change over between runners shall take place by hand touching, or as instructed by the Organiser.

9.8.7 Save where Rule 9.8.8 applies, at relay competitions with mass starts the order in which the last leg runners cross the finishing line shall determine their position in the results, unless the Organise states otherwise.

9.8.8 Participation in a "mini mass start" at relay competitions shall not disqualify a team unless previous notice has been given that this will be the case. Rules 9.8.6 and 9.8.7 shall not apply if the returning runner finishes after another member of their team has started in a "mini mass start" as a result of instructions from the Organiser. The total aggregate time of the runners shall decide the results of teams involved in the "mini mass starts".

9.9 Results 9.9.1 Provisional results should be displayed as soon as possible after the competition has finished.

9.9.2 If more than one competitor has the same elapsed time, they shall be given the same placing in the results.

9.9.3 Final results shall normally be published as soon as possible and sent to all competitors who require them. Results should be posted within fifteen days after the date of the competition, unless the Organiser has previously notified Competitors that this cannot be accomplished for valid reasons.

9.9.4 The front cover of the Results for Events of Grade 1 status and above should show the following information:

(i) Event Title

(ii) Venue

(iii) Date of Event

(iv) Organising Club

The results should show the length of each course and the height climb.

9.9.5 For competitions of Grade 1 Event status and above, a printer's draft or final copy of the results should be posted within fifteen days of the date of the competition to the IOA National Office (2 copies).

RULE 10

PROTESTS JURIES AND APPEALS

10.1 Protests

10.1.1 At any competition of Open Event status or above any competitor or official may lodge a protest against (i) any competitor or aspect of the planning or organisation thought to have materially contravened these rules or other instructions issued by the Organiser by way of notice.

(ii) any decision made by the Controller.

Prior to a written protest, the matter should be discussed with either the Organiser or Controller.

10.1.2 Such protest shall be to the Organiser, in writing, and shall be accompanied by a deposit of £5.00, which will be returned if the protest is eventually considered valid.

10.1.3 Such protest shall be made before one hour after the close of the competition and within a reasonable time after the matter which forms the subject of the protest has occurred. If such protest concerns a matter arising from the publication of the final results, a postal protest may be made within seven days of the results being posted.

10.1.4 On receipt of a protest complying with Rule 10.1.2 the Organiser shall notify the Controller. If they agree with the protest, they shall take the appropriate action. If they do not agree with the protest they shall convene the jury, or in the case of a postal protest, notify the jury of the protest together with any other relevant information.

10.2 Composition of Jury 10.2.1 The jury for an International competition shall be as laid down in the current I.O.F. Rules for International Competitions.

10.2.2 The jury for an Irish Championships or other Championship Event shall consist of three Grade 1 Controllers. If possible they should come from outside the Constituent Association in whose area the competition takes place. One of these Controllers shall chair the jury. One of these Controllers should be the Planner (if he a is Grade 1 Controller). The Event Organiser and Controller may attend but do not vote.

10.2.3 At any other competition the jury shall consist of

(a) the Controller

(b) a Grade 1 or 2 Controller who shall chair the jury. At a Grade 1 Event he should be from outside the Constituent Association in whose area the competition takes place, or alternatively the event Planner if he is a Grade 1 or 2 Controller.

10.2.4 The jury shall be appointed by the Organiser. At any competition of Championship Event status or above the jury shall be appointed at least 7 days before the competition. 10.3 Responsibility of Jury 10.3.1 The jury shall meet as soon as possible after receipt of a protest. In the case of a postal protest they shall notify the Controller of their findings within seven days of receiving the protest.

10.3.2 The jury shall deal with all protests in whatever manner they feel appropriate and necessary.

10.4 Appeals 10.4.1 All appeals shall be made within seven days of the decision of the jury being announced or communicated to the person making the protest.

10.4.2 For competitions of Grade 1 Event status or above, the appeal shall be made to the Chairman of the IOA Technical Committee (normally the IOA Technical Officer). The appeal body shall be the IOA Technical Committee.

10.4.3 For other Open Events, the appeal shall be made to the Technical Officer of the Constituent Association in whose area the competition was held. The appeal body shall be the executive committee of that Constituent Association.

10.4.4 The appeal shall be heard and decided by the appeal body at the earliest opportunity.

10.4.5 The decision of the appeal body shall be final.

RULE 11

INTERPRETATION

11.1 In these rules (a) All persons have been referred to, for simplicity, in the masculine.

(b) Any word or term defined in the Constitution of the IOA shall be accorded the same definition in these rules.

(d) The word "should" is a recommendation which competitors and officials will endeavour to comply with if possible.

(e) "IOA" means the Irish Orienteering Association and any reference to a "Constituent Association" means the Regional Body (as defined by the Constitution of the IOA) which acts on behalf of the IOA, in any area.

"NIOA" means the Northern Ireland Orienteering Association.

"FIOA" means the Federation of Irish Orienteering Associations.

(f) "Closed club" means a club which restricts membership to individuals belonging to an institution or organisation (school, college, university, firm or army Battalion/Command) and which does not accept outside membership by invitation.

(g) "Compete" means to take part in a competition with the competitor's result being used to determine the final position of other competitors in the results.

(h) "Competition area" means the terrain on which the race takes place.

(i) "Individual or family member of IOA" means a competitor who has senior or junior membership of IOA, or who is validly part of a family membership of IOA.

"Group Membership" means that a group (of construction acceptable to the I.O.A.) membership fee has been paid to an I.O.A. affiliated club or Association.

(j) "IOF" means the International Orienteering Federation.

"BOF" means the British Orienteering Federation.

(k) "Juniors" are individuals who have not yet reached the age of 18 before the 1st January of the year in question.

(l) "Membership of IOA" means that a senior, junior or family membership fee, as appropriate, has been paid to an IOA affiliated club or Association for the year in which membership falls to be determined.

(m) "Non-competitive" means a competitor who takes part in a competition, but whose result is not included when determining the final position of other competitors in the results.

(n) "Open club" means any club other than a closed club.

(o) "Open competition" means any competition to which entry is not restricted mainly to members of specific clubs or organisations.

(NB. The term "open competition" is not to be confused with the term "Open Event" defined in Rule 2.3.3 (iv)).

(p) "Pre-race information" means information communicated to competitors prior to the day of the competition.

(q) "Registration" means the area where competitors may purchase entries to the race on the day of the competition (if permitted), or receive maps, description sheets or control cards.

11.2 Any dispute as to the interpretation of these rules shall be decided by IOA Technical Committee. APPENDIX 1

IOF CONTROL DESCRIPTIONS

APPENDIX 2

THE FARMLAND CODE OF CONDUCT

As published by the Irish Farmers’ Association.

A2.1 Code.

(a) Respect farmland and the rural environment.

(b) Do not interfere with livestock, crops, machinery or other property.

(d) Leave all farm gates as you find them.

(e) Always keep children under close control and supervision.

(f) Avoid entering farmland containing livestock. Your presence can cause stress to livestock and even endanger your own safety.

(g) Do not enter farmland if you have dogs with you, even if on a leash, unless with the permission of the landowner.

(h) Always use gates, stiles or other recognised access points and avoid damage to fences, hedges and walls.

(i) Take all your litter home.

(j) Take special care on country roads.

(k) Avoid making any unnecessary noise.

(l) Protect wildlife, plants and trees.

(m) Take heed of warning signs - they are there for your protection.

(n) If following a recognised walking route keep to the way-marked trail.

(o) Immediately report any damage caused by your actions to the farmer or landowner.

(p) Do not block farm entrances when parking.

Orienteers should note that if it is part of the arrangements of the competition that a gate is fastened open it should, please, be left open.

APPENDIX 3

DOPE CONTROL RULES

A3.1 General

A3.1.1 It is forbidden for any competitor at any competition registered with the IOA or participant at any activity (e.g. squad training session) held under the auspices of the IOA to indulge in any form of doping. For the purposes of these Rules participants at activities held under the auspices of the IOA shall be termed "competitors".

A3.1.2 Any Person assisting or inciting others in the contravention of these rules shall be considered to have contravened these rules.

A3.1.3 Doping is the use by or distribution to a competitor of a banned substance with or without the assistance of another person (e.g. supporter, coach, doctor, masseur) before or during competition, or the taking of anabolic steroids at any time during training.

A3.1.4 The list of banned substances will be the current list of the International Olympic Committee.

A3.1.5 It is the responsibility of competitors to ensure that they do not inadvertently use a banned substance in medications prescribed by doctors or obtained otherwise.

A.3.1.6 Any competitor entering a competition registered with the IOA or accepting an invitation to join a tour, or training programme, or participating in any activity held under the auspices of the IOA, shall, if requested to do so, sign a declaration confirming that he or she is prepared to submit to a doping control test . A refusal to sign such a declaration will disqualify that competitor or participant from any competition registered with the IOA or tour, training programme or activity held under the auspices of the IOA. The refusal shall be reported to the Chairman of the IOA.

A3.1.7. Any competitor who, having signed the declaration referred to in Rule A3.1.6, then refuses to submit to a doping control test shall be treated as if a positive finding had been obtained and dealt with accordingly.

A3.1.8. Any competitor at a competition registered with the IOA or at any activity held under the auspices of the IOA shall, if requested by an official designated by the IOA for the purpose of doping control, submit to a doping control test and report to the Control Station when required to do so. Failure to do so will be taken as if a positive finding had been obtained and dealt with accordingly.

It is the competitors’ responsibility to make themselves available for testing.

A3.1.9. The programme content (but not dates) for testing to be carried out in any one year starting on the 1st January, shall be agreed by the IOA Executive in the preceding year.

A3.2 Testing Procedure A3.2.1 Officials

Officials organising and supervising doping control tests shall be appointed by the IOA Technical Committee. They shall select competitors for testing in such a way as they see fit. The taking of samples will be carried out by the Independent Sampling Officers appointed by Cospoir.

Competitors selected for the doping test shall be issued with a testing notification as soon as possible after crossing the Finish line and shall be accompanied (by a member of the doping test team) to the test centre, where the member of the doping test team will remain with him/her until the conclusion of the sample collection procedure.

A3.2.2 Provision of Facilities

A Control Station shall be provided. It should normally consist of two areas, one to be a working area and the other a waiting area.

The working area should normally contain table and chairs, a wash basin, the sample containers, suitable materials for sealing containers, writing material, and an adjacent lavatory.

In addition a lockable freezer or refrigerator for the storage of samples should be available.

The waiting area should normally have chairs and an adequate supply of drinks, (which shall not include any cola or other drinks containing caffeine) which shall be in unopened containers.

The Cospoir Mobile Testing Unit shall be regarded as a Control Station providing facilities complying with this rule.

A3.2.3 Guidance for the taking of urine samples

Proper surveillance must be present at all times, but every effort shall be made to maintain the privacy and dignity of the individual.

(a) The time of arrival of the competitor at the Control Station shall be noted.

(b) Only one competitor at a time should be allowed into the working area.

(d) The competitor should be informed as to how the sample is taken and the minimum quantity of urine (100ml) required.

(e) The competitor shall be allowed a free choice from at least three sealed sets of equipment (each set to be comprised of a collecting vessel and two engraved containers)

(f) A nominated official shall accompany the competitor to the room where the sample is to be given. The giving of the samples shall be supervised solely by personnel of the same gender as the competitor.

(g) The urine sample shall be divided into two containers. One container will be used for the first analysis and the second container kept as a reserve sample should a second analysis be required.

(h) The containers shall be sealed and the seal numbers recorded in the presence of the competitor, who shall be invited to inspect the sealing of the containers that contain his/her sample to be certain that the containers are safely sealed and secured against interference or mislabelling.

(i) Competitors shall be asked whether they have taken any medications or banned substances within the last 7 days.

A form asking the question shall be provided. Care should be taken to ensure that the competitor understands what a banned substance is.

(j) The necessary forms must be completed carefully. When the whole procedure has been completed correctly, a signature shall be obtained from each competitor confirming that he or she is satisfied with the procedure.

Any irregularities identified by the competitor should be noted on the control form, and the competitor shall be notified of his/her right to do this

(k) The samples should be delivered to the Analytical Laboratory as soon as possible after collection. If any delay seems likely the samples should be placed in a refrigerator or preferably be deep frozen.

A3.3. Positive Findings of Tests and Penalties A3.3.1 A report by the Analytical Laboratory stating that a definite identification of a named banned substance has been found in a sample shall be deemed to be a positive finding. Any other report shall be deemed to be a negative finding.

A3.3.2 In the event of a positive finding being reported to the IOA the person concerned will be notified immediately and offered the opportunity to attend (or send a nominee) on the date when the reserve sample is to be tested, which shall normally be within seven days of notification.

A3.3.3 If the initial or reserve sample shows a negative result the competitor shall be notified. No further action shall be taken.

A3.3.4 If the reserve sample shows a positive finding, or Rule A3.1.2, A3.1.7 or A3.1.8, applies, then the Chairman of the IOA shall be notified. The Chairman shall appoint a panel of three moderators, one of whom shall be the Chairman of the panel. The Competitor or other individual concerned shall be notified of the names of the three Moderators, and shall have the right to object to the appointment of one or more of the moderators; any objection shall then be considered by the Chairman of the IOA.

A3.3.5 The Moderators may make such enquiries as they see fit, and shall if possible interview the competitor and others concerned or any representatives they may wish to speak on their behalf, to obtain the fullest particulars of the circumstances which caused the banned substance to be present or these rules to be contravened. They should seek advice from the Analytical Laboratory which carried out the test and other relevant advisory bodies where possible.

A3.3.6 The Moderators shall, if they are satisfied that doping or any other contravention of these rules has occurred, determine the penalty to be imposed on the individual or individuals concerned.

A3.3.7 Penalties

A3.3.7.a

In cases where a Competitor has willingly indulged in doping or otherwise committed a blatant abuse of these rules the penalties will be as prescribed below.
If the analysis reveals the presence, in excess of quantities allowed by the current list mentioned in A3.1.4 of ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine, or codeine, etc. administered orally as a cough suppressant or pain killer in association with decongestants and/or antihistamines:
3 months Ban for the first offence
2 years Ban for the second and Subsequent offences
If the analysis reveals the presence of anabolic steroids, amphetamine related or other stimulants, caffeine in excess of quantities allowed by the current list mentioned in A3.1.4, beta blockers, narcotic analgesics and designer drugs:
2 year Ban for the first and subsequent offences

A3.3.7.b

In other cases the penalty to be imposed, shall involve a ban from all events and activities held under the auspices of the IOA, the duration of which shall be determined by the moderators but shall not exceed the durations specified above..

A3.3.7.c

In any case where a ban is imposed, the competitor shall be disqualified retrospectively from the competition in question, and in addition, (s)he shall also be disqualified from any other competition in the same composite event, even if this means disqualifying his/her team mates. Subsequent competitors on the result lists shall be moved up accordingly, and if a prize place is concerned, the prize shall be withdrawn and re-awarded.

A3.3.8 The Chairman of the Moderators shall prepare a detailed written report of the findings and determination of penalties to be applied, and send this to the competitor or other individual concerned and to the Hon. Secretary of the IOA, as soon as possible after the deliberations of the moderators are completed.
A3.3.9 Expenses incurred by the Moderators in carrying out their duties shall be borne by the IOA.
A3.3.10 The Hon. Secretary of the IOA may be present in a non-voting capacity at any meeting of the panel of moderators. The Hon. Secretary shall report the manner of the contravention of these rules to the next meeting of the IOA Executive following the receipt of a report indicating that a reserve sample has shown a positive result. The Hon. Secretary shall send a copy of the report of the Chairman of the panel of Moderators to each member of Executive and to Cospoir.
A3.3.11 An appeal may be made to the IOA Executive, (by letter addressed to the Chairman of the IOA ) against the decision set out in the report of the chairman of the panel of moderators, within fourteen days of receipt of this report. The decision of the IOA Executive on an appeal shall be final.
A3.3.12 Following the expiry of the time limit for appeal, or, in the case of an appeal, the decision of the IOA Executive being announced, the name of any person held to have contravened these rules and the penalty to be applied to that person shall be publicised in a journal officially recognised by the IOA, or otherwise, to all affiliated clubs.
A3.3.13 The facilitating of the breaking of any ban applied under Rule A3.3.7 or by the IOA Executive on appeal, shall be considered to be a contravention of these rules.

A3.4 Testing Programme

A3.4.1 The events at which doping control tests may normally be carried out are the Irish Championships, The Irish Two Day, and Regional Championships when these events are run under the auspices of the IOA. In addition, testing may take place at other events of C2 standard or higher, (as defined in the IOA rules) nominated by the IOA Executive from time to time and at any National Squad training activity (and any selection events for the National Squads). A3.5 Interpretation These rules shall be construed as part of the IOA Rules for Orienteering.