Doping Control: rights and responsibilities of athletes
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The rights and responsibilities set out below are applicable to athletes subject to doping control (testing) by ASADA and support persons.
These rights and responsibilities may differ if doping control is conducted by another anti-doping authority (that is, other than ASADA).
Athlete rights
Athletes have the right to:
- nominate a representative of their choice to accompany them to the doping control station
- request information regarding the sample collection procedure
- request a delay in reporting to the doping control station, or leave the doping control station once they have reported with the consent of a Doping Control Official (DCO), while at all times in full view of the chaperone for valid reasons:
- Attend a victory ceremony
- compete in further events
- finish a training session
- receive necessary medical attention
- fulfill media commitments
- perform a warm down
- undertake other activities considered reasonable and approved by the DCO.
- request modifications to standard sample collection procedures – this will be recorded on the Doping Control Test Form and only applies to athletes with a disability.
ASADA advises athletes who have a concern with the sample collection process to record their concerns on the Doping Control Test Form and notify their relevant sporting organisation in writing as soon as practicable after completion of the sample collection.
Athlete responsibilities
Athletes have the responsibility to ensure that:
- they are aware of, and comply with, their sport’s anti-doping policy (including the provision of accurate whereabouts information)
- they are available for and comply with sample collection procedures*
- they remain in sight of the chaperone at all times
- they control the sample until it is sealed in the sample collection equipment
- the sealed sample collection kit is secure and identified
- all appropriate documentation is accurate, complete and signed
- they take responsibility for what they ingest and use
- they inform medical personnel they are subject to doping control and of their obligation not to use Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods
- that any medical treatment does not violate anti-doping rules.
*sanctions may be applied by the relevant sporting federation(s) if an athlete does not comply with a request to provide a sample or otherwise interferes with the doping control process.
Support person responsibilities
Support persons are responsible for:
- being knowledgeable of, and complying with all anti-doping policies and rules applicable to them or the athletes whom they support
- supporting and assisting Anti-Doping Organisations to conduct doping control
- using their influence on athlete’s values and behaviour to foster anti-doping attitudes.
Retirement and reinstatement
Athletes must follow the retirement and reinstatement procedures set out in their National Sporting Organisation (NSO) anti-doping policy.
Athletes must advise the relevant parties (ASADA and/or NSO) of their decision to retire immediately. Doing so ensures it is no longer compulsory to comply with some anti-doping requirements, such as sample collection or the provision of whereabouts information.
An athlete notified for doping control that claims to have retired will be required to complete the sample collection process if ASADA has not been appropriately notified, or alternatively received the written notification of retirement from the relevant NSO.
Failure to comply with the request to provide a sample could result in an anti-doping rule violation.
An athlete wanting to be reinstated into their sport must follow the procedure outlined in their NSO’s anti-doping policy.
Each NSO reinstatement procedure specifies a timeframe from the reinstatement date until an athlete is able to compete in an NSO-sanctioned event.
During this time the athlete must be available for out-of-competition sample collection in accordance with the NSO anti-doping policy.
Any athlete in an International Federation Registered Testing Pool will also be subject to that federation's retirement and reinstatement requirements.
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This page last updated
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Copyright © 2009, Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA)
