DOPING CONTROL AND TESTING
DOPING CONTROL AND TESTING
International Standard for Testing and Investigation
• To plan for intelligent and effective Testing, both In-Competition and Out-of-Competition, and to maintain the integrity and identity of the Samples collected from the point the Athlete is notified of his/her selection for Testing, to the point the Samples are delivered to the Laboratory for analysis.
• To establish mandatory standards for the efficient and effective gathering, assessment and use of anti-doping intelligence and for the efficient and effective conduct of investigations into possible anti-doping rule violations.
• PHI-NADO aims to have a robust and effective Test Distribution Plan in the Philippines, maintaining the integrity of the doping control process we administer aligned and compliant with the WADA standards.
Athlete's Rights and Responsibilities
The athlete should be informed about his/her rights during the Doping Control process.
• Have a representative, and if available, an interpreter.
• Ask for additional information about the sample collection procedure.
• Request for a delay in reporting to the Doping Control Station for a valid reason (to be determined by Doping Control Officer).
• Request for modifications to the procedure, if you are an athlete with disability.
Responsibilities
The athlete should also fulfill his/her responsibilities.
• Remain within direct observation of the chaperone/DCO at all times, from notification until the completion of the Sample Collection procedure.
• Provide appropriate and legitimate identification.
• Comply with Sample Collection procedures—failure to do so may constitute to an anti-Doping Rule Violation.
• Report immediately for a test, unless there are valid reasons for a delay.
Doping Control and Testing
Steps in Conducting Doping Control and Testing (Sample Collection Process)
1: Doping Control
• Your urine and/or blood can be collected anytime and anywhere for doping control.
2: Athlete Selection
• You will be notified by a doping control officer (DC) or chaperone about your selection for doping control. You will be asked to sign a form confirming that you understand your rights and responsibilities.
3: Report to Station
• You will report to the doping control station as soon as possible.
4: Choose a Vessel
• You will choose a collection vessel from the selection provided.
5/6: Provide a Sample
• An amount of more than 90mL of urine will be provided.
• You will disrobe from knees to navel and from your hands to elbow to provide an unobstructed view of the passing of the sample.
• A DCO or chaperone of the same gender will observe the urine leaving your body.
7: Split the Sample
• Choose a sample collection kit from the selection provided. Split the urine sample in the And B bottles. Leave a small portion in the collection vessel.
8: Seal the Sample
• Seal the A and B bottles.
9: Specific Gravity
• The DCO will measure the specific gravity of the urine to ensure it is not too diluted to analyze. If it is too dilute, you may be required to provide additional samples.
10: Sign the Form
• You will complete the Doping Control Form by:
- providing personal information.
- noting any substances you may be taking: prescription medication, over the counter medication and supplements.
- noting concerns or comments, if you have any, about the doping control process
- confirming the information, recorded numbers and sample code are correct.
- signing and receiving your copy of the doping control form.
11: Sample Analysis
• Samples will be sent to a WADA accredited Laboratory in strict confidentiality and will be tracked to ensure their security.
• Your A sample will be analyzed and your B sample will be securely stored for future testing if required. The laboratory will send the results to the responsible anti-doping organization (ADO) and WADA.
RTP and Whereabouts
The Registered Testing Pool (RTP) includes athletes that are subject to the greatest amount of Testing and are therefore required to provide their Whereabouts information.
An International Federation or a National Anti-Doping Organization shall consider the following criteria for including Athletes into a Registered Testing Pool:
a) Athletes who meet the criteria listed in Articles 4.5.2 and 4.5.3 of the WADA ISTI;
b) Athletes whom the International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization plans to Test at least three (3) times per year Out-ofCompetition (either independently or in agreed coordination with other Anti-Doping Organizations with Testing Authority over the same Athletes);
c) Athletes that are part of the Anti-Doping Organization’s Athlete Biological Passport hematological module program as required by the TDSSA;
d) Athletes in a Testing pool who fail to comply with the applicable whereabouts requirements of that pool.
e) Athletes for whom there is insufficient whereabouts information available for an International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization to locate them for that Testing from other sources;
f) Athletes in a Team Sport who are not part of Team Activities for a period of time (e.g., during the off-season); and
g) Athletes who are serving a period of Ineligibility.
RTP athletes are required to update their Whereabouts information. An Athlete who is in a Registered Testing Pool shall:
a) Make quarterly Whereabouts Filings that provide accurate and complete information about the Athlete’s whereabouts during the forthcoming quarter, including identifying where they will be living, training and competing during that quarter, and to update those Whereabouts Filings where necessary, so that they can be located for Testing during that quarter at the times and locations specified in the relevant Whereabouts Filing, as specified in Article 4.8.8. A failure to do so may be declared a Filing Failure; and
b) Specify in their Whereabouts Filings, for each day in the forthcoming quarter, one specific 60-minute time slot where they will be available at a specific location for Testing, as specified in Article 4.8.8.3. This does not limit in any way the Athlete’s Code Article 5.2 obligation to submit to Testing at any time and place upon request by an Anti-Doping Organization with authority to conduct Testing on them. Nor does it limit their obligation to provide the information specified in Article 4.8.8.2 as to their whereabouts outside that 60-minute time slot. However, if the Athlete is not available for Testing at such location during the 60-minute time slot specified for that day in their Whereabouts Filing, that failure may be declared a Missed Test. (The purpose of the 60-minute time slot is to strike a balance between the need to locate the Athlete for Testing and the impracticality and unfairness of making Athletes potentially accountable for a Missed Test every time they depart from their previously-declared routine.)
Frequently Asked Questions
What samples do I need to give?
- You can be asked to give a urine sample, or blood sample—Sometimes, both. Upon athlete notification, the DCO or chaperone will tell the athlete which sample will be taken.
What if I failed to provide a 90mL sample of urine?
- No worries! Our DCOs and chaperones follow a partial sample protocol for these cases.
Who will perform the blood sample collection?
- Blood extraction will be administered by our trained Blood Collection Officers (doctors, registered nurses and medical technologists).
Who are most likely to undergo Doping Control?
- National-level and international-level athletes can be selected for Doping Control, specifically those who participate in national and international sporting events.
When can Doping Control take place?
- An athlete can be tested both in competition (IC) and out of competition (OOC), depending on the testing plan by the NADO on OOCTs and the mission order requested by the event organizing committee on ICTs.
How many times can I be tested?
- There is no limit to the number of testing done on the athlete. Once you are selected for Doping Control, you are required to provide the needed sample.
A DCO suddenly visits me at my training venue for testing, but I have other plans. Can I postpone and reschedule the test?
- No, an athlete cannot request for a reschedule. Once you are notified for testing, you need to comply and follow the standard Doping Control procedures.
Can I refuse to be tested?
- According to the ISTI standards, evading, refusing, or failing to submit to sample collection by an athlete is considered an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and will be subject to sanctions.