Performance review

Output 1.1 Drug testing program - Enforcement

Hearings

ASADA was involved in eight Court of Arbitration (CAS) and sporting tribunal hearings and appeals for a number of high profile ADRV cases throughout 2005–06. ASADA’s involvement included providing evidence and expert advice in relation to ADRVs, education services and doping control procedures. With the introduction of the ASADA legislation, ASADA now has the authority to present cases against athletes and support persons who commit an ADRV before CAS or a sporting tribunal.

Output 1.1 Drug testing program - Compliance

World Anti-Doping Code

ASADA’s Doping Control procedures are conducted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) and the International Standards for Testing (IST).

International Standards Organisations (ISO) audit

The ISO conducted an audit of ASADA’s Doping Control process at the beginning of 2005–06.

This audit was to demonstrate ASADA’s compliance with WADA International Standards, in particular the International Standards for Testing and the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions.

The audit showed three minor corrective actions. These corrective actions related to records management, contracts and documented procedures. Each of the corrective actions were addressed and rectified in 2005–06.

ASADA’s Doping Control program and quality management system continues to be certified against the ISO 9001:2000.

The ISO will audit ASADA again in 2006–07.

“Conduct of testing session was very supportive of new athletes.”

Athlete comment, ASADA survey 2005–06

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Output 1.1 Drug testing program - Deterrence

Ninety-two percent of athletes surveyed perceived ASADA’s programs deterred the use of prohibited substances and methods. This result exceeds the performance measure of 90 percent, and is a two percent increase on the 2004-05 result representing a high level of support for ASADA’s deterrence program. ASADA measures deterrence by surveying athletes at doping control sessions, presentations and via calls to the ASADA Hotline.

In 2005–06 key programs were directed at deterring the use of prohibited doping practices in sport.

Deterrence strategies included:

Social justice and equity impacts

ASADA recognises the importance of ensuring clients have equitable access to its range of services. ASADA adheres to the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness enshrined in the ASADA legislation and carried through in the operating procedures for Doping Control and results management process.

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Output 1.1 Drug testing program - Key Projects

Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games

Games Time Testing

ASADA conducted 1,075 tests on athletes participating in the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games during the Games period. These tests included those carried out under the authority of the Commonwealth Games Federation (1,005 tests) and those conducted as part of the ASADA international testing program (70 tests). Two athletes returned adverse analytical findings. Both athletes were sanctioned by the relevant authority.

An additional 212 samples were collected on international athletes preparing for the Games. These tests were conducted as part of ASADA’s Government Funded Program collected either on shore by ASADA or off shore by WADA. A further two athletes recorded adverse analytical findings.

Pre-Games Testing

ASADA also conducted a thorough Out-of-Competition Doping Control program on Australian Athletes preparing for the Games. In the 12 months leading into the event, 433 of the 439 athletes representing Australia were subject to Doping Control at least once with No Advance Notice.

Games Funding

The Government provided ASADA an appropriation of $334,000 to implement the M2006 Commonwealth Games Doping Control Program. The funds were committed as follows; $103,900 for off-shore testing arrangements, $145,100 for sample collection in Australia and $85,000 for project management.

Games Education

A comprehensive education program supported the Doping Control initiatives at the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. The education program included an Athlete Anti-Doping Interview designed to prevent athletes from inadvertent doping. This involved ensuring athletes using prohibited medications for health reasons had the necessary Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) in place. The initiative proved successful with no athletes recording inadvertent adverse analytical findings.

M2006 Anti-Doping Program Outcomes

  1. 1. Innovative cost effective education and communication to deliver information and resources prior to the event; culminating with direct delivery to athletes at risk (Athlete Anti-Doping Interview).
  2. 2. An effective strategy and process to gather and manage TUE and Abbreviated Therapeutic Use Exemption data.
  3. 3. No inadvertent adverse analytical findings.
  4. 4. A comprehensive set of anti-doping rules and processes for the Commonwealth Games Federation setting a benchmark for future Commonwealth Games.
  5. 5. A robust world wide Out-of-Competition Doping Control program commencing three months prior to the Games period combining a number of anti-doping organisations, returning a one percent detection rate.
  6. 6. A robust In-Competition Doping Control program incorporating all available analytical methods, and raising athlete awareness to new collection protocols and detection capabilities.

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Athlete whereabouts system

During 2005–06 ASDA and ASADA continued to progress the development and implementation of a new athlete whereabouts program to support Australian athletes and sporting bodies meet their requirements under the World Anti-Doping Code. Accurate and timely whereabouts information is critical to effective No Advance Notice, Out-of-Competition sample collection and contributes to the drive for Pure Performance in Australian sport.

Central to the project has been the development and implementation of a secure and user friendly online system for the collection and management of whereabouts information. In the second half of 2005 ASADA entered into an agreement with service provider Crystal Approach for the development of the purpose built whereabouts system and by 30 June 2006 the system had entered its final stages of development.

The online system will be accompanied by a supporting call centre to assist athletes in updating their whereabouts while allowing ASADA staff real-time access to the information.

A number of important project milestones were achieved during 2005–06. These included:

ASADA engaged NSOs, athletes, coaches and administrators in usability testing and feedback of early online system releases.

Originally, it was anticipated that ASADA’s new whereabouts program would be operational following the 2006 Commonwealth Games. However the project timeframe slipped primarily due to complexities with the infrastructure design and establishment of the internet hosting environment. The factors which contributed to the delays were rectified and the project is continuing to steadily progress through the various stages of the implementation plan. The aim is to have the online system available for athlete use before the end of 2006.

ASADA remains committed to providing Australian athletes with dynamic and accessible options for meeting their Code requirements with respect to athlete whereabouts information and 2005–06 has seen significant progress made towards achieving this goal.

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Athlete First project

Phase 1 of the Athlete First project was completed in 2004-05. The objective of the Athlete First project was to identify a new vision for ASDA’s testing program in light of international developments.

Phase 2 of the project involved the preparation of a plan to implement the changes; this plan was completed in the first part of 2005–06.

The commencement of the transition process from ASDA to ASADA in October 2005, resulted in the cessation of the Athlete First project. However many of the detection initiatives are incorporated in ASADA’s proposed Doping Control strategy.

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