ASDA Annual Report 2004-05 (Adobe PDF | 173 pages | 4.4 MB)Acting Chief Executive report
2004–05
was a year of achievements and challenges for both
ASDA and the anti-doping movement.
For many years, ASDA has been at the forefront of the fight against doping in sport and the past 12 months were no different, with the Agency implementing world leading athlete drug testing and education programs and being very active in Australia and overseas.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that deliberate doping remains a part of sport and continues to tarnish an important part of our society. This is well illustrated by various events during the past 12 months, including the outcomes of the BALCO investigations in the United States, the actions of a small number of athletes at the Athens Olympics and, closer to home, the various investigations into the discovery of drug taking material in an Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) residence in South Australia in December 2004.
ASDA, with the support of the Australian Government and its stakeholders and partners, works hard to address this threat. In fact, the Government deserves special recognition for its decision to increase its funding for ASDA during 2004–05. This has proved to be a critical injection of resources and I’m pleased to report that the Agency’s progress against its key performance indicators was excellent during the year.
The drug testing program
One of the most important elements of ASDA’s work is its drug testing program. During 2004–05, ASDA implemented one of the most rigorous drug testing programs in world sport, conducting a total of 6,134 drug tests involving 3,764 athletes across 59 sports.
Of these tests, 3,849 were conducted as part of the Government funded program, with 76 percent of these tests occurring with No Advance Notice. This is the best form of testing and both the number of Government funded tests and the percentage of no advance notice tests exceeded the Agency’s targets of 3,800 and 70 percent respectively.
ASDA also conducted 2,285 tests on a fee for service basis for various organisations. Major clients included the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), Australian Rugby Union (ARU), Cricket Australia and the Queensland Government. Many of ASDA’s clients have invested significantly in anti-doping over the past decade and have set the standard for similar bodies around the world.
The Agency also improved the quality of its drug testing program. This included increased testing of Australian athletes located overseas and in remote locations, improved laboratory analysis and storage of samples and the introduction of a better blood testing program. The Agency was also involved in more cases going to sporting tribunals than in previous years.
In terms of adverse results, the Agency made only 16 entries on its Register of Notifiable Events (RNE) for the year. This continues a downward trend over the past eight years and is the lowest number of entries on the RNE since the Agency commenced operations in 1990.
While there is no room for complacency, this suggests that the vast majority of Australian athletes are taking their responsibilities very seriously and being deterred from doping.
The education program
Another key part of ASDA’s work is its provision of information, advice and support to athletes and sporting officials.
During 2004–05, ASDA delivered 255 presentations to a total of 7,787 athletes and their support staff.
The number of presentations conducted is consistent with previous years, with the Agency investing significant effort in informing athletes and sporting bodies of changes associated with the introduction of the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code) in Australian sport.
The Agency also received 5,215 calls on its Hotline service, distributed 37,975 publications and received over 171,000 visits to its website.
Other highlights
The Agency also achieved a number of other important milestones in 2004–05.
As a recognised expert in the field, ASDA provided advice and support to the Government and other stakeholders in relation to various anti-doping issues. This included advice in relation to the decision to establish ASADA.
The Agency continues to enjoy very strong support within Government and the broader sporting community, and maintained excellent working relationships with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and a number of other national anti-doping bodies around the world. These relationships enable the Agency to advocate for improved international standards, to ensure it keeps abreast of best-practice in the field, and to assist other bodies develop their expertise. A major highlight for the year was the Agency’s leadership role in the Association of National Anti-Doping Organisations (ANADO) and at various international and domestic anti-doping conferences and seminars.
The Agency has worked closely with the organisers of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in relation to anti-doping activities in preparation for next year’s event. ASDA has been appointed to provide a comprehensive doping control program for the event and I am confident that it will be one of the most effective programs ever run at a Commonwealth Games.
The Agency also continued to invest heavily in its business infrastructure and people.
This work is critical to the long-term success of ASDA and the new ASADA.
The year ahead
As we turn to the future, it is clear that the establishment of ASADA, the implementation of the biggest testing program ever undertaken in Australia and the work on the 2006 Commonwealth Games will be high priorities.
By way of illustration, the Agency will conduct over 7,000 drug tests in 2005-06.
This means, on average, that at least 19 elite athletes will be tested every day of the year.
As in past years, the Agency is committed to ensuring that it meets these challenges and implements a highly effective anti-doping program for Australian sport.
It can, however, only do this with the backing of its stakeholders and the efforts of its staff. I would therefore like to acknowledge the support and commitment of the Minister for the Arts and Sport, the Hon. Rod Kemp, the ASDA Board and staff.
I would also like to acknowledge Mr John Mendoza for his contribution to ASDA for much of the last decade. Mr Mendoza resigned as ASDA’s Chief Executive in January 2005 after a distinguished contribution to anti-doping in Australia and internationally. His commitment, dedication and sense of purpose left a lasting mark on the Agency and he, along with the rest of ASDA’s staff, deserve special recognition.
Kim Terrell
Acting Chief Executive