DownloadOutput 1.2 – Detection Program
Output 1.2 – Detection Program |
|
|---|---|
Measure |
Result |
| Quality |
|
Inclusion of new detection methodologies as they become available |
ASADA has expanded our steroid and blood profiling capability. We were represented on the Anti-Doping Research Panel, which provides funding for anti-doping research conducted in Australia. We have been in contact with leading researchers to remain abreast of new potential detection strategies. ASADA has continued operation of the Tank during the financial year, which allows the long term storage of urine samples for retesting with any advances in laboratory technology. |
Delivery of a detection program involving testing and investigation with a priority of resources focused on those athletes and support personnel at greater risk of doping |
We developed a case management framework that integrates our investigations, intelligence, and intelligent testing in a manner that focuses resources on those athletes and support personnel at the greatest risk of doping. |
Conduct all investigations in accordance with accepted investigation standards including the Australian Government Investigation Standards |
All investigations undertaken met the required standard. |
Full compliance with national and international responsibilities relating to anti-doping codes and agreements |
Our 2007–08 sample collection program complied with the WADA Code, the International Standard for Testing and the NAD scheme. At the Sydney WADA Investigations symposium, ASADA presented its framework for building investigative and intelligence capabilities to detect forms of doping which are unable to be detected through traditional testing. ASADA is contributing to the WADA Protocol for Investigations, which is currently in development by WADA. |
Quantity |
|
At least 4,200 government-funded tests |
We completed 4,242 government-funded tests across 73 sports. |
Detection
Our Detection Program focuses on investigating allegations of doping and conducting doping control activities. The program continued to integrate testing, intelligence and investigations capabilities during the 2007–08 financial year. In particular, the integration of our intelligence program to capture and analyse information from a wide number of sources has significantly enhanced our ability to develop targeted testing programs and effectively investigate allegations of anti-doping rule violations.
In 2007–08, our Detection Program contributed to the fight against doping in sport – not just nationally, but in the international arena. Highlights are as follows:
- ASADA exceeded our Australian Government commitment of 4,200 government-funded tests, with 4,242 tests completed.
- in addition to conducting government-funded testing, ASADA completed a further 2,395 tests
on a user-pay basis for major sports and event organisers. - the detection program is a critical component of the Pure Performance Program. ASADA’s extensive experience in the collection and profiling of blood and urine samples provided a platform for extensive intelligent testing programs in partnership with UCI during the Tour Down Under, the AOC, and the APC in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.
- ASADA’s intelligence and investigative capability continued to detect forms of doping that would not be detected through traditional testing alone.
- as one of the first national anti-doping organisations to develop an intelligence and investigations capacity, ASADA continued to play an important role in the development of the WADA investigations protocols.
Testing
The annual Test Distribution Plan drives ASADA’s extensive sample collection program. This plan allocates tests, in accordance with the criteria specified in the WADA International Standard for Testing across a range of Australian sports.
The Test Distribution Plan focuses on:
- in-competition and out-of-competition testing
- urine and blood samples
- advance-notice and no advance notice testing, and
- government-funded and user-pays testing.
Sample collection is an integral component of our detection function and entails the sequential activities that directly involve the athlete from notification until the athlete leaves the Doping Control Station having provided their samples. We conducted our sample collection program in accordance with the International Standard for Testing, the Code, and ASADA’s NAD scheme.
Our sample collection program is supported by government funding, user-pays arrangements with Australian sporting bodies, and other anti-doping organisations.
We conducted 4,242 government-funded tests in 2007–08 across 73 sports and 2,395 user-pays tests for Australian sporting bodies or other organisations. A total of 3,820 athletes provided a sample to ASADA as part of our extensive sample collection program during the year.
Total tests conducted
The anti-doping tests we conducted during the year are shown in table 5.
Client |
Test type |
Total tests completed |
|---|---|---|
Government-funded tests |
Out-of-competition |
2,158 |
In-competition |
2,084 |
|
Total of government-funded tests |
4,242 |
|
User-pays tests |
Out-of-competition |
1,311 |
In-competition |
1,084 |
|
Total user-pays |
2,395 |
|
TOTAL |
6,637 |
Doping control statistics for the period 1998–99 to 30 June 2008 are shown in appendix A.
Doping control tests conducted with no advance notice act as a deterrent to athletes considering using prohibited substances and/or methods, as they may be tested anytime, anywhere and without warning.
In 2007–08, ASADA collected 99 per cent of the 4,242 government-funded tests with
no advance notice. ASADA continued to apply its steroid and blood profiling capability to the development of targeted testing programs.
6,637 |
Samples collected |
64 |
Number of countries from which athletes were selected for doping control |
2,499 |
Athletes in the Registered and Domestic Testing Pool |
1,182 |
Blood samples collected |
6,624 |
Samples collected with no advance notice |
1,371 |
Tests on potential Olympic athletes |
214 |
Tests on potential Paralympic athletes |
User-pays tests
Sporting administration bodies that contracted ASADA to provide user-pays testing programs
included the Australian Football League, Australian National Rugby League, Australian Rugby
Union, A-League, and Cricket Australia. ASADA also conducted sample collections at a number
of international sporting events during 2007–08, including the UCI Tour Down Under.
Other international stakeholders that entered into user-pays agreements with ASADA included WADA and ANADO.
ASADA also entered into user-pays contracts with state and territory governments to provide
doping control of athletes competing at a state and territory level. Agreements were made with
the Queensland, South Australian, and Western Australian governments.
Pure Performance Case StudyMulti-sport games organisations – 2008 Australian Olympic and Paralympic teamsOn 21 February 2008, the Minister for Sport, the Hon. Kate Ellis MP, and the President of the Australian Olympic Committee, Mr John Coates AC, announced a partnership in a world leading anti-doping program for the Australian Team for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The Pure Performance Program for the 2008 Olympic Team provided a multi-faceted anti-doping program that integrated a number of testing and non-testing elements to ensure that the team was subject to the most rigorous anti-doping measures, including:
ASADA also entered into a partnership with the Australian Paralympic Committee for a Pure Performance Program for the Australian Team participating in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. This program incorporated all of the same tools identified for the Olympic Games Team. Between 8 August 2007 and 30 June 2008, ASADA conducted 1,371 tests on potential Olympic athletes and, between 5 September 2007 and 30 June 2008, 214 tests on potential Paralympic athletes. Of these tests, 146 samples from athletes were stored in the Tank. |
Investigations
ASADA is authorised under the ASADA Act to investigate possible violations of anti-doping rules
to determine whether evidence exists of an ADRV as defined by the NAD scheme and the Code.
We conduct investigations in accordance with the best practice case handling standards specified by the Australian Government Investigation Standards.
In the ongoing development of our overall case management framework, three milestones have been achieved during the 2007–08 financial year. These are:
- integrating the investigations and intelligence processes to deliver more effective investigative outcomes
- expanding our relationship with the Australian Customs Service, which has resulted in greater information flows back to ASADA
- installing and using a case management and intelligence software system that allows for the capture and analysis of the vast quantities of information ASADA receives from its partners
in law enforcement and border patrol.
ASADA continued to focus on building relationships with relevant government and non-government agencies to facilitate the elimination of doping in sport. In particular we acknowledge our partnership with the Australian Customs Service and their effective role in seizing importations of prohibited substances entering Australia. This relationship has enhanced ASADA’s ability to detect serious doping violations including the use, possession, trafficking and administration of prohibited substances by athletes or support personnel.
During 2007–08 ASADA investigators opened 94 cases. Ten of these were the result of information provided to ASADA via the Stamp Out Doping Hotline, and 21 were the result of information received from the Australian Customs Service or other law enforcement agencies.
