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Doping Control: Process of Doping Control

» Doping control process

Doping control (commonly known as testing) is a process to detect the use of a prohibited substance, or the use of a prohibited method. Doping control consists of:

• sample collection conducted by an anti-doping organisation such as ASADA
• sample analysis conducted by an accredited laboratory such as the National Measurement Institute.

ASADA's sample collection and analysis procedures detailed below are consistent with the:

• World Anti-Doping Code (the Code)
• International Standard for Testing
• International Standards Organisation (ISO) 9001:2000.

Sample collection methods may vary:

• with the type of collection (urine or blood)
• different anti-doping authorities
• for athletes with disabilities
• for athletes who are tested overseas.

While ASADA is Australia's National Anti-Doping Organisation there are other bodies able to conduct sample collection such as:

• the World Anti-Doping Agency
• International Federations
• other National Anti-Doping Organisations.

Sample collection steps: urine and blood

1. Selection

ASADA selects athletes for sample collection in accordance with the Code and International Standard for Testing including:

• priority given to No Advance Notice testing
• targeted testing based on:
  • physical demands of sport
  • possible performance enhancing effect gained from doping
  • analysis of doping control statistics.

ASADA implements in-competition and out-of-competition sample collection.

In-competition: the athlete is selected for sample collection in connection with a specific competition. Note that some International Federations or Anti-Doping Organisations may define in-competition differently.

Out-of-Competition: Any sample collection that is not in-competition.

2. Notification

Anti-doping organisations can notify athletes of their selection for doping control anytime, anywhere.

A Doping Control Official will notify an athlete of their selection for sample collection:

• in person (at any time)
• by telephone (out-of-competition)
• by written notice (out-of-competition)
• via a third party (at any time).

At the time the athlete is notified in person by an ASADA Doping Control Official, the official will record athlete details on a Doping Control Notification Form.

The athlete is required to sign the Doping Control Notification Form, and will be provided a copy for their records.

For No Advance Notice and in-competition testing, the athlete is required to report to the Doping Control Station as soon as practical or within 60 minutes of notification, whichever is sooner.

The athlete must remain in full vision of the official until the Doping Control Officer is satisfied the sample collection procedure is complete.

Athlete representative

Athletes may have a representative accompany them to Doping Control. ASADA strongly advises athletes notified for blood sample collection to have a representative accompany them.

The athlete representative will witness the blood collection procedure, but not the passing of a urine sample.

Third party notifications

ASADA’s can notify athletes of their selection for sample collection, via, or in tandem with, a third party.

Third party notification may occur when an athlete:

• is under the age of 18
• is intellectually disabled
• does not speak English.

ASADA regulations allow it to contact a third party to assist in locating/notifying an athlete if, after reasonable attempts, the athlete is not contactable.

The third party should be related or a close associate of the athlete.

An ASADA Doping Control Official informs the third party of all notification details including:

• The ASADA Doping Control Official's name and role.
• That the athlete has been selected for sample collection.
• Negotiating the proposed time and location of sample collection.
• Outlining the possible consequences of failing to comply with the request.

If the third party attempts to hinder the notification process or is obstructive, this may be considered an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

Athletes and support personnel (coaches, parents, etc) must know that third party notifications can occur, and what the responsibilities of third parties are.

Notifying athletes under 18 years of age

• An ASADA Doping Control Official may notify a third party of an athlete’s selection for sample collection and of an athlete’s rights and responsibilities.
• If notifying an athlete by telephone it may be necessary to notify the parent or guardian directly in the first instance.
• ASADA strongly recommends that an athlete representative accompany the athlete to the Doping Control Station.

Notifying intellectually disabled athletes

• An ASADA Doping Control Official will notify an athlete of their selection for sample collection in the first instance.
• The information provided to an athlete is then communicated to the third party.
• It is strongly recommended an athlete representative accompany the athlete to the Doping Control Station.

3. Presenting for sample collection

Athletes can ask the Doping Control Officer for information on the sample collection process.

The Doping Control Officer (and a qualified Blood Collection Official if a blood sample is being collected) will provide athletes with information about the sample collection procedure.

ASADA gives athletes the opportunity to hydrate.

 

 

4. Providing a sample

• Athletes may be subject to urine sample collection and/or a blood sample collection.

Urine sample collection process

• Athletes will be asked to select a beaker for urine collection and check that it is suitable (not tampered with or damaged).
• Athletes will provide a urine sample in the presence of a chaperone who is the same gender as the athlete.
• The chaperone will directly witness the provision of the urine sample from the athlete’s body into the beaker. In order for this to occur the athlete must comply with the chaperone’s instructions.
• Athletes are responsible for controlling their sample until it is sealed in a sample collection kit.
• If an athlete provides an insufficient sample (e.g. less than the required volume) he or she is required to provide additional sample(s) in accordance with the procedures outlined above.

Blood sample collection process:

• Athletes will be asked to select and check blood collection equipment.
• Athletes will provide a blood sample, collected by a Blood Collection Official, in the presence of a Doping Control Officer, chaperone and, if applicable, the athlete’s representative.
• After collecting a blood sample the Blood Collection Official will remove the blood collection equipment from the athlete’s body, thereby sealing the collection equipment containers.
• Athletes are then responsible for controlling the sample until they seal it in a sample collection kit.

Alternatively

• Blood sample collection procedures at times may require the on-site separation of serum. The blood sample will need to be temporarily sealed to coagulate for 20 minutes prior to being placed in a centrifuge for 10 minutes. Athletes may provide a urine sample (if required) during this period.
• Athletes will then be required to observe the Doping Control Officer separate the serum from the centrifuged blood sample into two small vials.
• Athletes are then responsible for controlling the sample until they seal it in a sample collection kit.

After blood collection care procedures

ASADA advises athletes who have provided a blood sample not to undertake any strenuous exercise using that arm for a minimum of 30 minutes. This is important to minimise bruising at the puncture site.

Athletes with disabilities

ASADA is aware of the special needs of athletes with disabilities and will make sure that sample collection procedures meet these needs.

Assistance during the sample collection procedure (urine and/or blood) will be available for those athletes who require it.

Athletes with external collection systems (e.g. leg bags) will need to discard any urine that is already in their external collection system.

5. Choosing secure containers

• Athletes will be asked to select sample collection kit(s), including labelled containers, which will hold, identify and secure their urine or blood sample(s).

6. Splitting, sealing and labelling of samples

• Urine: athletes will pour a measured amount of urine into each of the ‘A’ and ‘B’ labelled containers and then secure the kit.
• Blood: athletes will place and secure their blood samples, or separated serum samples in the relevant labelled containers and then secure the kits.
• All sample collection kit numbers will be identified and recorded on the Doping Control Test Form.

7. Checking pH and concentration of samples

• The Doping Control Officer will check the pH and concentration of an athlete’s urine sample to ensure it is suitable for analysis. If it is not suitable the athlete may be asked to provide another sample.
• Checking pH and concentration is not required for blood samples.

8. Final paperwork

• Athletes should disclose and record on the Doping Control Test Form, any medications, vitamins, herbal products, food supplements or other substances they have recently used.
• When blood tested, athletes should disclose and record any blood transfusions they have had in the previous six months.
• Athletes will be asked to provide further personal information including contact details so that they can be contacted regarding the results of the sample analysis (if required).
• The athlete will be asked to check all the information on the Doping Control Test Form to ensure it is correct.
• The athlete will then sign the Doping Control Test Form.
• The Doping Control Officer, Chaperone, Blood Collection Official (if required) and the athlete representative, if any, will sign the Doping Control Test Form.
• The athlete will be provided with a copy of the Doping Control paperwork.

9. Security of samples

• The athlete’s secure sample and Doping Control Test Form (which contains only information about the athletes sport, gender, sample, medications, other substances and security seals) will be sent to a WADA accredited laboratory for analysis.
• The athlete’s name or contact details are not disclosed to the laboratory.

10. Analytical procedure

Urine:

• The laboratory will analyse part ‘A’ of an athlete’s urine sample for the presence of prohibited substances or doping methods.
• If part ‘A’ of a urine sample returns an adverse analytical finding the athlete has the right to have part ‘B’ of his or her urine sample analysed to confirm the analytical result.

Blood:

• The laboratory will analyse an athlete’s blood sample for the purpose of detecting the use of prohibited substances or methods.
• If the sample returns an adverse analytical finding the athlete maintains the right to have confirmatory procedures performed in relation to this analysis.

11. Results of analysis

• ASADA will notify athletes who record an adverse analytical finding.
• Refer to the results management process for further information.

 

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