Athletes who compete in sport and who are under the jurisdiction of the anti-doping rules, can have their urine and/or blood tested anytime, anywhere by their IF, NADO or a Major Event Organizer. Specially trained doping control personnel carry out all tests.
Testing can be conducted in-competition and out-of-competition such as at an athlete’s home, place of work or training venue.
Athletes should always submit a sample. Giving only a partial sample or refusing to provide a sample could be an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
Athletes have the right to provide comments about the conduct of their test.
How are athletes selected for testing?
In-competition – athletes can be chosen by random selection, finishing position or by being targeted for a particular reason.
Out-of-Competition – athletes may be tested anytime, anywhere and with no advance notice.
Other things to know
If the athlete is a minor or is an athlete with an impairment, modifications to the sample collection procedure can be made, where necessary and possible.
Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities
Athletes have the right to:
- have a representative and, if available, an interpreter
- ask for additional information about the sample collection process
- request a delay in reporting to the Doping Control Station for valid reasons (as determined by the DCO).
- If you are an athlete with a disability, to request modifications to the sample collection procedure
Athletes have a responsibility to:
- Remain within direct observation of the DCO/chaperone at all times from the point of notification until the completion of the sample collection process.
- Produce appropriate identification.
- Comply with sample collection procedures (failure to do so may constitute an anti-doping rule violation).
- Report immediately for doping control, unless there are compelling reasons for a delay.
WADA’s Doping Control Video provides athletes with basic information about their rights and responsibilities in the doping control process.
DOPING CONTROL PROCESS (urine)
The 11 stages of the Doping Control:
- Athlete Selection – Athletes can be selected for testing at any time and any place.
- Notification – A Doping Control Office (DCO) or chaperone will notify the athlete of their selection and outline their rights and responsibilities.
- Reporting to the Doping Control Station – Athletes should report for their test immediately. The DCO may allow a delay in reporting – however only for a valid reason.
- Sample collection equipment – Athletes are given a choice of individually sealed sample collection vessels and kits to choose from.
- Providing a Sample – Athletes will be asked to provide a urine sample under the direct observation of a DCO or witnessing chaperone of the same gender.
- Volume of urine – A minimum 90mL is required for urine samples. If the first sample is not 90mL the athlete may be asked to wait and provide an additional sample.
- Splitting the sample – Athletes will split their sample into A and B bottle.
- Sealing the samples – Athletes will seal the A and B bottles in accordance with the DCO’s instructions.
- Measuring specific gravity – The DCO will measure the specific gravity of the sample to ensure it is not too diluted to analyse.
- Completing the Doping Control Form – Athletes will check and confirm that all of the information is correct, including the sample code number and their declaration of medications and/or products they have used. They will receive a copy of the doping control form.
- The Laboratory Process – All samples are sent to WADA accredited laboratories.