ASDA Annual Report 2004-05 (Adobe PDF | 173 pages | 4.4 MB)Deterrence
ASDA’s core mission is to deter the use of prohibited doping practices in sport. It pursues this mission via a number of strategies including:
- Athlete drug testing
- Provision of information and education services
- Working with sporting bodies and other key stakeholders
- Supporting research into the detection of doping and how best to influence athletes to adopt strong anti-doping practices
- Helping to reduce the supply of prohibited drugs.
Deterrence — KPI
Ninety percent of stakeholders surveyed reported that they believed ASDA’s activities deterred doping in sport. ASDA consistently receives a high result for the deterrence KPI which demonstrates a high-level of support for its programs.
“ASDA does a great job in deterring athletes from using drugs”
Athlete comment, ASDA Survey, 2005.
Figure 4: Deterrent effect of ASDA’s programs 2000 to 2005
Output 1.1
Drug testing
A core element of ASDA’s deterrence work during 2004–05 was the implementation of a comprehensive athlete drug testing program across Australian sport. The Agency’s high quality drug testing program is compliant with the Code, the International Standards Organisation (ISO) 9001:2000 and the International Standard for Testing (IST).
During 2004–05, ASDA conducted a total of 6,134 drug tests on Australian and international athletes.
Testing involves those athletes who are assessed by ASDA and their sporting bodies as being elite. Testing occurs at events and out-of-competition (OOC), either on a random, weighted or targeted basis. ASDA’s drug testing program involves the collection of urine and blood samples.
ASDA’s testing program is supported by either Government funding or in accordance with fee for service agreements involving sporting bodies or other anti-doping organisations.
In 2004–05 testing occurred in 59 sports, with 3,849 tests being Government funded, while 39 domestic and international clients purchased 2,285 tests.
Highlight — drug testing facts & figures 2004–05
- 6,134 drug tests collected
- 3,764 athletes tested
- 2,358 athletes in the registered testing pool
- 661 blood tests collected
- 17 tests collected per day (average)
- 16 entries on ASDA’s Register of Notifiable Events
Major clients to purchase testing and education services included the NRL, AFL, ARU, NSW Rugby League and Cricket Australia.
The level of testing funded by Australia’s major professional sports places Australia at the forefront of anti-doping worldwide.
International clients who purchased testing services in 2004–05 included WADA, Anti-Doping International (ADI), the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and the UK Sports Council (UKSC).
ASDA also conducted testing at a number of international sporting events during the year, including the Deaflympics and the Australian Youth Olympic Festival.
Highlight: Deaflympics
The 2005 Deaflympics was the most complex and largest event on Australia’s sporting calendar. The event involved athletes from 83 nations and 16 sports.
ASDA was contracted by the International des Sports des Sourds to undertake a drug testing program for the event.
Testing of hearing impaired athletes was carried out in accordance with the ASDA Act, the Code and the IST.
ASDA’s sample collection personnel worked with sign language interpreters to ensure all athletes selected for drug testing had a solid understanding of the drug testing procedures. ASDA staff involved in the event also attended a sign language course organised by the Deaflympic Committee.
ASDA was contracted to provide testing and education services to the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, South Australian and West Australian Governments. This work is instrumental in developing a strong anti-doping culture within state-level athletes. It is hoped that the Agency will be able to enter into further contracts with other state/territory Governments to expand the breadth of anti-doping activities to state-level athletes throughout Australia.
Figure 5: ASDA drug tests completed 1989 to 2005
A full breakdown of ASDA’s drug testing statistics for 2004–05 is at Appendix B (Adobe PDF).
A reference table of drug tests completed by ASDA 1989 to 2005 is at Appendix C.
Amendments to typographic errors made in Appendix B Drug Testing Statistics for 2003–04
as included in the 2003–04 ASDA Annual Report are included at Appendix D.
No Advance Notice testing
One of ASDA’s key goals for 2004–05 was to conduct at least 70 percent of its Government funded tests on a No Advance Notice basis.
This type of testing is widely considered to be the most effective form of doping control as it minimises the opportunity for an athlete to manipulate his or her sample and can occur during periods where doping is likely to have the greatest performance benefit.
The key point is that athletes can be tested anytime, anywhere and without warning.
Athletes can be tested anytime, anywhere,
and without warning.
For No Advance Notice testing to occur, ASDA must be able to locate the athlete without forewarning. Once an athlete is notified that they have been selected for a drug test, they are then chaperoned by a doping control official (DCO) until the passing of the sample.
Despite its significant deterrent value, No Advance Notice testing is resource intensive. Inadequate athlete whereabouts information is one of the main reasons for the high cost of No Advance Notice OOC testing.
“You never know when or where ASDA is going to call or notify you of a test.”
Athlete comment, ASDA Survey, 2005.
Highlight — No Advance Notice testing
In 2004–05 ASDA conducted 76 percent of its 3,849 Government funded tests with No Advance Notice. This is an increase from the previous year’s result of 71.5 percent, and represents the highest proportion of No Advance Notice tests ever conducted by the Agency.
ASDA’s overall planned versus actual No Advance Notice OOC testing KPI was slightly below target at minus 1 percent. This is due to the planning process, where an additional ‘buffer’ of test selections is factored into the planning to ensure that an overall result of at least 70 percent is achieved.
Blood testing
The analysis of athlete blood samples became an increasingly important component of ASDA’s testing program during 2004–05 with a total of 661 tests conducted; compared to the 502 blood tests collected the previous year. A total of 659 tests were Government funded and occurred across 16 sports, with 28 tests conducted in competition (IC) across 3 sports. Blood testing is targeted at those sports and disciplines which are considered to be most at risk of blood doping. The focus on OOC testing (96 percent of all tests) reflects international research and experience.
Following a review of ASDA’s blood testing program in 2003–04, the Agency implemented a new approach in 2004–05. This has enabled the Agency to more accurately target its testing and improve the likelihood of detection of prohibited substances and methods.
Blood testing is targeted at those sports and disciplines
which are considered to be most at
risk of blood doping.
ASDA is one of the few national anti-doping organisations to operate a domestic blood testing program.
Results management
These results represent less than 1 percent of the total number of tests conducted by ASDA during the year.
ASDA recorded 16 entries from 14 athletes on its Register of Notifiable Events (RNE) during 2004–05. These results represent less than 1 percent of the total number of tests conducted by ASDA during the year. The number of entries on the RNE continues a downward trend over previous years from 24 entries in 2003–04 and 34 entries in 2002–03.
Figure 6: Register of Notifiable Events trends 1998 to 2005
Important legislative changes were made during the year giving ASDA the authority to report new anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs). In addition to managing adverse analytical results and failures to comply, ASDA assumed responsibility for reporting ADRVs related to evading a drug test, failing to provide whereabouts information, failing to be available for testing at a designated place and tampering.
Of the 14 athletes for whom an entry was made this year, 12 athletes recorded adverse analytical results. One athlete failed to comply with a request to provide a sample and one athlete evaded notification for a test.
Entries involved athletes from 10 sports. A range of prohibited substances were detected, including anabolic agents, stimulants, cannabinoids and diuretics.
Additional legislative changes came into effect during the year enabling ASDA to release the names of athletes for whom an entry to the RNE was made. The athlete’s name is released following the completion of the matter by the relevant sporting organisation. This change applies to tests conducted after 1 July 2004. Entries on the 2004–05 RNE relating to tests collected prior to 1 July do not include the athlete’s name.
During 2004–05, one athlete challenged ASDA’s decision to enter their name on the RNE in 2003-04. The athlete submitted an application to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). Based on new medical information included in the application to the AAT, ASDA reviewed the 2003–04 decision and removed the athlete’s name from the RNE.
In July 2004, ASDA successfully defended an AAT and Federal Court appeal by weightlifter Caroline Pileggi. The appeal related to ASDA’s decision to place her on the RNE for refusing to undergo a drug test while she was preparing for the Athens Olympics at a training venue in Fiji in June 2004. The case attracted significant media interest.
A breakdown of the RNE entries for 2004–05 is at Appendix E (Adobe PDF).
ASDA recorded three entries on its List of International Incidences (LII). The LII records ADRVs from Australian athletes competing in internationally sanctioned events or international athletes training or competing in Australia.
Entries were recorded for athletes from China and New Zealand in the sports of shooting, wrestling and cycling. Further information of the entries on the LII is at Appendix F.
Information relating to sanctions for RNE and LII entries reported in the ASDA 2003-04 Annual Report, where outcomes were still to be advised is at Appendix G.
‘Athletes are becoming more aware of outcomes and consequences.’
Athlete comment, ASDA Survey, 2005.
International Standards Organisations (ISO) audit
ASDA’s drug testing program and quality management system continued to be certified against the ISO 9001:2000 requirements.
This commitment to external third party auditing is essential to the maintenance of a high quality drug testing program and ASDA’s credibility as an international provider of drug testing services.
Information exchange with Customs
The Agency developed and maintained a very strong relationship with the Australian Customs Service (ACS).
ASDA continued to receive information from the ACS related to anti-doping matters. Throughout much of 2004–05 ASDA received a weekly report from Customs on their seizures of prohibited performance and image enhancing drugs. ASDA then checked this information against its drug testing database and, where appropriate used the information to inform its drug testing program.
ASDA’s access to this information is an important part of Australia’s whole of Government response.
Key projects
Athlete whereabouts system
During 2004–05 ASDA continued a major review of the collection and management of athlete whereabouts information. This information is needed in order to conduct an effective No Advance Notice drug testing program.
ASDA commenced the year on the basis that it would establish a paper based whereabouts system with an accompanying call centre. Following the provision of additional Government funding, ASDA initiated further analysis of its requirements in this area.
The analysis identified strong grounds for ASDA to invest in an online system for athletes, DCO's and the staff of the proposed call centre.
The online system will enable athletes to enter and update their whereabouts information and allow ASDA’s testing staff rapid access to this information.
A significant amount of work went into designing the system in the second half of 2004–05. As a result, work will continue in the first half of 2005–06, with a view to the whereabouts system becoming operational following the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
The primary change from the current process is that athletes will provide their whereabouts information directly to ASDA rather than to their national federation (NF). ASDA will also be required to provide some information to WADA. ASDA will ensure information is handled in accordance with relevant privacy principles.
The system will support ASDA in identifying the potential ADRVs of missed tests and failing to provide whereabouts information. It will also enable much manual work to be automated. This will significantly reduce administration costs and improve the accuracy of the system.
Review of drug testing processes
A project entitled Operational Efficiency was conducted during 2004–05 to improve the drug testing program, particularly in relation to the test program management (TPM) and sample collection (SC) processes. The scope of the project included an analysis of the processes, the supporting information technology (IT) tools and human resource (HR) management.
The first phase of the project involved modelling current TPM and SC processes and identifying process shortfalls, with various inefficiencies, problems and/or ideas for improvements recorded.
The second phase of the project involved a more detailed analysis of the data and the development of methods to improve ASDA’s operating protocols.
Athlete First project
The completion of the Operational Efficiency project led to the formation of a new project entitled Athlete First.
The objective of the Athlete First project was to identify a new vision for ASDA’s testing program in light of international developments, enhanced detection methodologies and increased Government funding. The project considered a number of issues relating to the roles and responsibilities within ASDA.
Phase 1 of the project was completed in 2004–05. It recommended a new service delivery model focusing on:
- Athletes who are assessed as at risk of doping
- Improving the use of information within the drug testing program
- Better use of state resources
- Enhanced efficiency in the testing program.
Phase 2 will be conducted in the first quarter of 2005–06. It will involve the preparation of a plan to implement the proposed changes. Phase 3 will involve making the organisational changes required to deliver the new vision for testing.
Output 1.2
Education, communication and advocacy services
Education
Education is a core element of ASDA’s work and the fight against doping in sport.
The ASDA education program is:
- Based on behavioural-change models and principles
- Based on evidence
- Responsive to feedback
- Consistent with the Code.
ASDA endeavours to ensure Australia’s elite athletes and their support staff are provided with accurate and timely anti-doping information so that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities.
ASDA endeavours to ensure Australia’s elite athletes and their support staff are provided with accurate and timely anti-doping information. It is imperative that this target group is well informed of the anti-doping rules that govern sport and of their rights and responsibilities as elite athletes.
One of ASDA’s primary aims in the education program is to increase the perception of the threat of detection in athletes who are doping or contemplating doping.
ASDA’s education output measures relate to client satisfaction and access to ASDA’s education services. These outputs are detailed in Appendix M.
During 2004–05 ASDA:
- Conducted 255 face-to-face presentations. These presentations reached 7,787 athletes and their support staff.
- Processed 5,215 calls through the ASDA Hotline service, with 80.5 percent of athletes and support staff aware of the service making it the most recognised of ASDA’s education resources.
- Published the 2005 Anti-Doping Information Handbook featuring an updated list of permitted and prohibited medications compliant with the 2005 Prohibited List. This is the first year that prohibited medications have been included. ASDA distributed 6,710 handbooks to athletes and their support staff.
- Published the Anti-Doping Information Card with updated information pertaining to the drug testing process, athletes’ rights and responsibilities, common permitted medications and the classes of prohibited substances in accordance with the 2005 Prohibited List. ASDA distributed 31,265 cards in 2004–05. The Agency provides this resource to every athlete who is notified for a drug test.
- Distributed three information mail-outs comprising personalised letters and the ASDA newsletter to more than 3,500 elite athletes, coaches, sports administrators and sports medical practitioners. These mail-outs inform ASDA’s key stakeholders of the latest anti-doping issues.
- Improved the content available on the ASDA website. The website is increasingly being used by athletes and their support staff as a reference for anti-doping information. In 2005–06, the functionality of the ASDA website will be further improved.
- Continued the Supplements Information Scheme which assists athletes in their decision making regarding the use of supplement products. As of 30 June 2005, 33 supplements were listed on the ASDA website as having individual product batches independently analysed for prohibited substances. These manufacturers will guarantee their product’s authenticity. ASDA is conducting a review of the Supplement Information Scheme in 2005–06.
- Continued the Sports Medicine Anti-Doping Accreditation program. This program operates with the support of Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) and increases the awareness of anti-doping issues within Australia’s sports medicine community. 75 sports medical personnel had registered with the program as at 30 June 2005.
- Continued to educate NFs, athletes and athlete support staff regarding the impact of the Code through group presentations, mail-outs, industry magazine articles and direct contact.
- Implemented an Education Client Service Charter specifying the level of education service provision NFs can expect from ASDA, together with suggested education strategies the NF can take responsibility for.
“The information provided by ASDA under this program is excellent. I also get information from WADA and from ASDA via the NF. The information from ASDA is more timely and comprehensive and, in fact, we use it as a base for information for our IF as well.”
SMA personnel feedback June 2005
The 2005 edition of the Anti-Doping Handbook included details of prohibited medications for the first time.
Olympic athlete education
ASDA’s education activities also helped to prepare Australia’s athletes for the 2004 Athens Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In addition to work carried out in 2003–04, ASDA:
- Provided anti-doping information on the ASDA website targeted at Olympic and Paralympic athletes
- Provided targeted messages on the ASDA Hotline for Olympic and Paralympic athletes
- Incorporated Athens Olympic and Paralympic information into ASDA’s Anti-Doping Information Newsletter, which was mailed to approximately 3,500 athletes, coaches and support staff
- Supported the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) with the provision of Athens specific and generic anti-doping information distributed to all athletes and support staff just prior to the Games
- Targeted medical support staff in the Athens Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Satisfaction with ASDA’s services — KPI
Ninety five percent of clients surveyed indicated they were satisfied with ASDA’s services. This KPI relates to drug testing and education services.
Data for this KPI was collected from athletes and other stakeholders from surveys conducted at drug tests, presentations and via the ASDA Hotline.
ASDA’s target for the satisfaction with ASDA’s services is 80 percent. ASDA has exceeded this target for the past four years.
Access to ASDA’s services — KPI
Access to ASDA’s services is above target, with an overall 97 percent result. ASDA’s target for this KPI is 80 percent. Data was compiled by comparing the number of times ASDA services had been accessed by clients with results from the previous financial year.
Awareness of ASDA’s services — KPI
Awareness of ASDA’s education products and services is consistent with previous years at 58 percent; this is well short of the KPI target of 90 percent. ASDA collates this data from surveys conducted at drug tests, presentations and on ASDA’s Hotline service.
ASDA recognised a methodological error relating to the collation of information for the awareness KPI in 2003–04. In 2005-06, ASDA will develop a new Strategic Plan. This will include a complete review of performance indicators, targets and data collection methods. The methodological error in relation to the awareness KPI will be addressed in this review.
“I feel we are very well informed and constantly being reminded of what we can and can’t take.”
Athlete comment, ASDA Survey, 2005.
Public communication
ASDA communicated with the media and other stakeholders on a regular basis.
By engaging with media organisations ASDA was able to foster public confidence in the fight against prohibited drugs in sport and better deter athletes from doping.
ASDA helped facilitate access to accurate information and contributed to public debate on doping.
Intense levels of media interest surrounded high profile doping issues in the lead up to, and during, the 2004 Athens Olympics. During this period the Agency provided the media with relevant information regarding its role in Australia’s anti-doping system as well as the work the international anti-doping community undertook to deter doping.
There was significant media interest in several high profile cases during the year. These included the appeals by weightlifter Caroline Pileggi against ASDA’s decision to place her on the RNE; debate around the use of caffeine in sport; the compliance of professional sports with the Code; and the investigation into a number of cyclists as a result of the discovery of drug taking material at an AIS facility.
Intense levels of media interest surrounded high profile doping issues in the lead up to, and during, the 2004 Athens Olympics.
The Agency processed more than 280 media inquiries, conducted 37 media interviews and received approximately 2,500 anti-doping related media clips. The majority of these were related to the Athens Olympics or Olympic related issues.
The Agency also initiated a range of other communication activities targeting key external stakeholders. This included:
- The distribution of 13 media releases publicising ASDA events and drug testing results—this represented a 45 percent increase when compared to the nine media releases distributed throughout 2003–04
- Mailing three newsletters to more than 3,500 recipients, including media contacts, on a quarterly basis
- Assisting with 11 anti-doping themed articles in sports industry or sports related publications or website content
- Hosting two anti-doping forums for Australian sporting organisations (one in Sydney, the other in Canberra) that featured world experts in the fight against doping
- Attending conferences and seminars including the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) ‘Our Sporting Future’ National Conference held in Sydney in March 2005. ASDA delivered a presentation at the ASC conference outlining the model for doping control, how it can be used to develop more effective anti-doping programs, and how research being conducted in collaboration with Curtin University will greatly increase our understanding of the factors associated with doping behaviour.
Highlight — International Anti-Doping Symposium
In December 2004 ASDA hosted an International Anti-Doping Symposium bringing together the Chief Executives of ASDA, John Mendoza, the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency (NZSDA), Graeme Steel, and USADA's, Terry Madden, to talk about the challenges the global anti-doping community faced during the Athens 2004 Games.
The symposium also allowed ASDA, NZSDA and USADA to discuss the future in the fight against doping, particularly in the lead up to the next Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Beijing 2008.
Giving an athlete and coach's perspective on anti-doping was Australian former track and field star Glynis Nunn-Cearns, who spoke about her sporting experiences as an elite athlete and her role as Executive Director of the Australian Track and Field Coaches Association.
The symposium was well attended by representatives from Australian sport. It allowed these stakeholders to better understand the broader global challenges faced in the fight against doping in sport and ask questions of world experts in the field.
USDAS's CEO Terry Madden, addressing key stakeholders at ASDA's international anti-doping symposium.
Research
ASDA continued to monitor the research initiatives of other organisations into new detection methodologies for doping practices and to advocate for improved analytical techniques. This included working closely with the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory (ASDTL) at the National Measurement Institute (NMI) and other leading bodies on research into detecting the abuse of human growth hormone in sport, detecting the abuse of methods to enhance oxygen transfer, improving the detection of erythropoietin (EPO) use, and further improving detection methods for substances such as anabolic steroids.
ASDA also collaborated with the Centre for Behavioural Studies at Curtin University, in a quantitative study of athlete attitude and behaviour towards doping in sport, funded by the Australian Research Council. The study was designed to test the previously developed theoretical model for doping control, by examining which factors are most highly correlated with doping intention and behaviour. The findings are currently being collated, and are expected to generate empirical data to inform the development and delivery of ASDA’s programs.
Australian Anti-Doping Research Panel (ADRP)
ASDA continued to be an ADRP member along with the ASC, the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) and independent experts. Formed in 2001, this panel oversaw the distribution of anti-doping research funding from the Government’s Backing Australia’s Sporting Ability policy.
Full details regarding the ADRP are online at www.dcita.gov.au/sport.
AIS Ethics Committee
ASDA fulfilled its role as an anti-doping consultant with the AIS Ethics Committee. The Agency provided technical advice on a range of anti-doping matters and assisted in ensuring AIS research projects conformed to anti-doping requirements.
Australia’s anti-doping framework
Code compliance
In March 2003, the international sporting movement accepted the Code. This was a significant development in the international fight against doping.
Throughout 2004–05 ASDA worked with its partner national anti-doping organisations and the ASC to ensure that Australia’s sporting system complied with the requirements of the Code.
Key achievements included:
- Implementation of amended ASDA legislation
- Review and updating of ASDA’s drug testing processes to ensure consistency with the IST
- Education and information to key stakeholders on Code compliance and implications
- Modification of field services and results management processes to enable the investigation and prosecution of new ADRVs
- Review of privacy and information sharing implications
- Development of a sophisticated athlete whereabouts system
- Support to NFs to develop Code compliant anti-doping policies.
ASDA also reviewed various business processes to support the legislative changes and the requirements of the Code.
Significant amendments to the ASDA Act were enacted on 30 July 2004.
Significant amendments to the ASDA Act were enacted on 30 July 2004. The changes allow ASDA to meet its obligations under the Code including:
- Publicly naming athletes (following relevant tribunal processes) who record an ADRV
- Dealing with new adrvs relating to athletes who deliberately evade testing, who tamper with ASDA’s processes, or who fail to provide ASDA with accurate contact information to allow no advance notice drug testing to occur
- Obtaining and disseminating additional drug testing information to domestic and international sports federations
- Recognising WADA and the Code’s various international standards.
ASDA engaged an anti-doping expert to undertake an internal audit of ASDA’s compliance with the specific National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) requirements of the Code. The recommendations from this audit will assist ASDA in the preparation for the annual ISO audit. In 2005–06 this audit will incorporate auditing against the IST.
Anti-doping assessment process
The anti-doping assessment process, established in 2002, involves biannual audits of NF compliance with their anti-doping responsibilities as set out in the ASC’s funding terms and conditions. The fulfilment of these requirements is critical to the success of Australia’s anti-doping response.
The anti-doping assessment process is administered by ASDA and the ASC.
The assessment process involved audits of 59 sports in August 2004 and of 57 sports in April 2005. In accordance with recommendations arising from the 2003-2004 assessments, a modified audit was conducted in April 2005 that reduced the resource requirements of the auditors and NFs, whilst retaining the high level of accountability established since the outset of the process.
The audit process enables an objective assessment of an NF’s progress in relation to their anti-doping responsibilities, and the identification of specific strategies to improve performance where required.
The primary concern identified from this year’s audits related to the provision of athlete whereabouts information. Most sports have been at least partially successful in implementing athlete whereabouts systems in the last 12 months, but some have found it difficult to comply with all requirements. This is being addressed by the development of ASDA’s athlete whereabouts system.
As a result of the Government’s announcement to establish ASADA the NF anti-doping assessment process will be reviewed in 2005–06, in line with the functions of ASADA.
Client engagement
Client engagement is a measure of how effectively ASDA engages its clients in anti-doping activities. In 2004–05 it was assessed at 90 percent, well above the agency target of 80 percent.
The result is based on data from the anti-doping assessment process and represents a two percent increase on the 2003–04 result.
This result continues the positive trend evidenced over the previous three years and indicates that NFs are becoming increasingly engaged in fulfilling their anti-doping responsibilities.
Figure 8: ASDA’s client engagement
Cycling investigation
One of the more significant activities that occurred in 2004–05 was the investigation by Justice Robert Anderson into the discovery of drug taking material at an AIS facility in South Australia. ASDA cooperated with the investigation and provided Justice Anderson with a range of information and advice to support his enquiries.
ASDA cooperated with the investigation and provided Justice Anderson with a range of advice and support.
The investigation resulted in action being taken by the Australian Cycling Federation against several of its cyclists. It also led to some changes in Australia’s anti-doping framework. Most notably, the investigation recommended the establishment of an independent mechanism for investigating ADRVs. This was one of the drivers in the decision to establish ASADA.
ASDA also provided input to the ASC in the development of policies and procedures for search and seizure of evidence on AIS premises.