In this section:

Doping control: process of doping control

On this page:

• Doping control process overview
• Selection
• Notification
• Presenting for sample collection
• Providing a sample
• Choosing secure containers
• Splitting, sealing and labeling samples
• Checking concentration (specific gravity) of samples
• Final paperwork
• Security of samples
• Analytical procedure
• Results of analysis

Doping control process

Doping control 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 e.g. Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory (ASDTL) which is part of the National Measurement Institute.

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

• World Anti-Doping Code (Code)
• International Standard for Testing
• International Standards Organisation (ISO) 9001:2000
• ASADA Act
• ASADA National Anti-Doping (NAD) Scheme

Sample collection methods may vary:

• with the type of sample to be collected (urine or blood)
• different anti-doping organisations
• 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 (WADA)
• International Federations (IFs)
• other national anti-doping organisations.

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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:

• abnormal biological parameters (blood parameters, steroid profiles etc.)
• injury
• withdrawal or absence from expected competition
• going into or coming out of retirement
• behaviour indicating doping
• sudden major improvements in performance
• repeated failure to provide Whereabouts Filings
• whereabouts filings that may indicate a potential increase in the risk of doping including moving to a remote location
• athlete sport’s performance history
• athlete age, e.g. approaching retirement, moving from junior to senior level
• athlete test history
• athlete reinstatement after a period of ineligibility
• financial incentives for improved performance, such as prize money or sponsorship opportunities
• athlete association with a third party such as coach or doctor with a history of involvement in doping
• reliable information from a third party

ASADA conducts both in-competition (IC) and out-of-competition (OOC) sample collection.
In-competition testing means the period commencing twelve hours before a competition in which the athlete is scheduled to participate through to the end of such competition and the sample collection process related to such competition.  Any sample collection relating to this period for a specific competition is considered in-competition testing unless defined differently in the rules of an International Federation or other relevant anti-doping organisations.
Out-of-competition: Any sample collection that is not in-competition.

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2. Notification

Anti-Doping Organisations can notify athletes of their selection for doping control any time, anywhere.
A Doping Control Officer (DCO) will notify an athlete of their selection for sample collection:

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

At the time the athlete is notified in person by an ASADA DCO, the official will record athlete details on a Doping Control Notification Form.
The athlete will be given a copy of ASADA’s Athlete Privacy Information Notice.  This notice outlines important information including the athlete’s consent for research.
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 immediately, unless there are valid reasons for a delay.
The athlete must remain in full vision of the ASADA DCO or chaperone from the time they are notified of a test until the DCO is satisfied the sample collection procedure is complete.

Athlete representative

Athletes may have a representative accompany them to the doping control facility. 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 the representative may not directly observe the passing of the urine sample unless requested to do so by an athlete who is a minor.

Third party notifications

ASADA can notify athletes of their selection for sample collection via, or in tandem with, a third party.
Third party notification will occur when an athlete is intellectually disabled and may occur if an athlete is under the age of 18 and/or if an athlete has difficulty communicating orally in the English language.
An ASADA DCO informs the third party of all notification details including:

• the ASADA DCO’s name and role
• that the athlete has been selected for sample collection
• the authority under which the sample collection is to be conducted
• the type of sample collection and any conditions that need to be adhered to prior to sample collection
• informing them of the proposed time and location of sample collection
• informing them of 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) 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 DCO 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.
The athlete’s representative can be present in the toilet area to observe the chaperone/DCO witnessing the minor athlete passing a urine sample, but the representative may not directly observe the passing of the sample unless requested to do so by the athlete.

Notifying intellectually disabled athletes

An ASADA DCO will notify an athlete of their selection for sample collection in the first instance. The information provided to the athlete is then communicated to the third party.
The representative will be asked to:

• accompany or arrange for someone to accompany the athlete to the doping control station
• observe the sample collection process
• watch the chaperone/DCO who is witnessing the sample provision but not directly witness the passing of the urine sample
• sign the required documentation.

 

An ASADA chaperone usually notifies an athlete of their selection for sample collection.

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3. Presenting for sample collection

Athletes can ask the DCO for information on the sample collection process.
The DCO (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. Athletes should avoid excessive rehydration, having in mind the requirement to produce a sample with a suitable specific gravity (SG) for analysis.

The chaperone will provide the athlete with information about the doping control process and begin to complete paperwork for the session. (Athletes have the opportunity to hydrate before providing a sample.)

 

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4. Providing a sample

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

Urine sample collection process

1. Athletes will be asked to select a beaker for urine collection and check that it is suitable and is not damaged or appears to have been tampered with.
2. Athletes will provide a urine sample in the presence of a chaperone who is the same gender as the athlete.
3. 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.
4. Athletes are responsible for controlling their sample until it is sealed in a sample collection kit.
5. If an athlete provides an insufficient sample (that is less than the required volume) he or she is required to provide further sample(s) in accordance with the procedures outlined above.

 

A chaperone of the same gender as the athlete will directly witness the passing of the urine sample into a beaker selected by the athlete.

Blood sample collection process

1. Athletes will be asked to select and check blood collection equipment.
2. Athletes will provide a blood sample, collected by a blood collection official, in the presence of a DCO, chaperone and, if applicable, the athlete’s representative.
3. 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.
4. Athletes are then responsible for controlling the sample until they seal it in a sample collection kit.

 

Providing a blood sample.

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.
ASADA advises athletes who use a catheter to ensure they use a clean, sterile catheter.  ASADA warns the athlete that if they choose to use a non-sterile catheter that they do so at their own risk.
For example, athletes with external collection systems (e.g. leg bags) will need to discard any urine that is already in their external collection system.

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5. Choosing secure containers

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

The athlete will select the containers that hold, identify and secure their sample(s) in A and B labeled secure sample collection containers.

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6. Splitting, sealing and labeling of samples

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

The athlete will pour the urine sample into the labeled secure containers.

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7. Checking the concentration (specific gravity) of samples

• The DCO will check the concentration of an athlete’s urine sample to ensure it is suitable for analysis. If it is not suitable the athlete will be asked to provide additional samples until a sample is provided that has a suitable concentration.
• Checking concentration is not required for blood samples.

 

The DCO will test the specific gravity (pictured) of the sample to ensure it is suitable for analysis.

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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.
• Athletes will be asked to print YES or NO in the athlete’s consent for research as outlined in the ASADA Athlete Privacy Information Notice
• 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).
• Athletes will also be asked for the name of their coach and doctor.
• 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 DCO, urine-witnessing chaperone, blood collection official (if required), the blood-witnessing chaperone 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.

 

The DCO, chaperone, blood collection official, athlete and athlete representative (if any) complete the final paperwork.

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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 and any contact details are not disclosed to the laboratory.

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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.

The samples arrive at the lab for analysis.

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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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