TESTING

Testing and education are important factors in maintaining an effective anti-doping program. The National Anti-Doping Center uses In Competition testing, as well as Out of Competition testing, to help protect the rights of clean athletes and maximize the unpredictability and deterrent value of testing.

• The standard definition of “In Competition” is the period beginning at 11:59 p.m. on the day before the competition in which the athlete is scheduled to compete and ending at the conclusion of the competition and the sample collection process;
• Out of Competition testing is defined as testing at any other time and place, such as the athlete's home or training facility.

Athletes are subject to both urine and blood testing 365 days a year and testing may occur at any time and place. The sample collection process is designed to be safe, consistent and as comfortable for the athletes as possible.

Below is the information on the procedures athletes can expect during sample collection, the processes unique to each type of testing, and the athletes' rights and responsibilities. The steps involved in collecting and processing blood and urine samples are similar for both In Competition and Out of Competition testing.

Selecting an Athlete

There are many reasons why an athlete may be selected for testing, including:

- The physical demands of the sport;

- The benefits that an athlete may gain from doping in sport;

- History of doping in the sport and/or discipline.

Athlete selection and testing shall be conducted in accordance with the WADA International Standard for Testing and Investigations.

Sample collection equipment

Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) around the world use a variety of different sample collection kits. Although the kits may look different, all sample collection equipment is WADA compliant.

Sample collection process

While the doping sample collection process may not be the most glamorous part of an athlete's career, it is crucial to the global fight for clean sport. By participating in the anti-doping program, athletes are doing their part to help protect the integrity of competition.

Athletes selected for testing are notified by a Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone. They will ask the Athlete to provide identification.

Once notified, athletes must remain under the direct supervision of the DCO or chaperone. Athletes must report to the Doping Control Station (In Competition) or the appropriate location (Out of Competition) immediately unless there is a valid reason for a delay.* 

*A valid reason for a delay may include receiving medical treatment, attending a press conference or attending an awards ceremony. The possibility of a delay will be discussed with the DCO or chaperone and will take place with their permission.

Who is tested Out of Competition?

Out of Competition testing can only be conducted without prior notice if the Anti-Doping Organization has information about the athlete's whereabouts. Athletes who must be tested on a mandatory basis are usually included in testing pools. In simple terms, a testing pool is a list of athletes who are subject to testing by an Anti-Doping Organization. There are several types of testing pools.

Registered Testing Pool (RTP)

A Registered Testing Pool (RTP) is a group of high performance athletes identified by International Federations, National Federations and National Anti-Doping Organizations based on various criterias. Athletes who are included to the RTP are tested more frequently than others. In addition, these athletes must comply with clear and strict whereabouts information requirements and be fully aware of the consequences and sanctions for failure to comply.

The whereabouts information required to be provided by RTP athletes should be detailed to ensure that the athlete can be located at any time for Out of Competition testing without prior notice. The process for providing location information is described in detail here.

Testing Pool (TP)

A Testing Pool (TP) is a list of athletes who also need to provide the ADO with information about the whereabouts. However, the TP have fewer requirements for such information (compared to athletes in the RTP) and the consequences for non-compliance are less severe.

You can view the testing pools here: RTP_TP_NADC_2025.pdf

Urine Collection Procedure

Athletes will be asked to select a sealed sample collection container from the provided options. They will check and inspect the sample collection container to ensure it is not damaged before opening it;

Athletes will be required to provide a 90 ml urine sample under the direct supervision of a DCO or chaperone of the same sex;

Minor athletes are encouraged to be accompanied by a representative of their choice;

If 90 ml is not provided, athletes must use additional container(s) to collect the remainder later once possible;

Athletes will be offered a choice of sealed sample collection equipment (which includes A and B Sample bottles). They should check and thoroughly inspect the equipment before use;

The athlete will then divide their sample between the A and B bottles as instructed and seal them;

Athletes must directly observe and control their sample until it is sealed;

Once the sample has been sealed, athletes will be asked to place the A and B Sample bottles in plastic shipping bags and place them back in the original box for safe transportation to the laboratory;

The DCO will check the specific gravity (density) using what remains of the sample. Additional samples may be requested if the sample is not within the required range;

As instructed by the DCO, athletes will declare any prescription/over-the-counter medications, injections, blood transfusions and/or dietary supplements they are taking, together with details of any Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) they have received;

If the athlete or athlete's representative requests any additional comments, these may be included in an additional report form;

Athletes should carefully review the completed Doping Control Form to ensure that the information is correct before signing it;

The athlete's name will not appear on the documentation submitted to the Laboratory. The laboratory reports all results based on unique sample code numbers to ensure the athlete's anonymity;

Upon completion of the sample collection process, athletes receive a copy of the DCF.

The sample may be subject to long-term storage and further analysis at any time at the discretion of the NADC.

Blood Collection Procedure

Blood Samples may be analyzed for Prohibited Substances and/or Prohibited Methods and/or Indirect Biomarkers of Doping that may not be detected in urine in some cases, including but not limited to those identified in the Athlete's Biological Passport.

The blood collection process is very similar to the urine collection process described earlier and it is not uncommon for both urine and blood to be collected during the collection process.

Here are some of the differences and processes to expect:

• Blood is collected by a blood collection officer (BCO);
• To monitor changes in blood plasma volume, the athlete will be asked to remain seated for at least 10 minutes before the blood sample is given;
• If the Athlete has exercised within the last two hours, the Athlete will be required to wait two hours after the end of the exercise session before a blood sample is taken;
• The DCO will select the area, usually the non-dominant arm, from which the blood sample will be collected;
• Athletes will be asked additional questions related to the blood collection that are important to the analysis of the sample. For example, they may be asked about exposure to high altitude or extreme conditions, recent physical activity or blood loss.

The Dried Blood Spot Method (DBS)

While urine analysis remains the most commonly used testing method, blood samples are a critical component of anti-doping programs because they allow laboratories to detect prohibited substances and methods that cannot be detected in urine samples.

The Dried Blood Spot analysis is one of the newest and most innovative methods of collecting blood samples.

A sterile blood collection device is placed on the athlete's skin and allows for the collection of a series of very small capillary blood spots almost painlessly, at the touch of a button. In general, the process takes about 1-5 minutes, and the device collects about 25 times less volume than traditional blood collection methods.

Athletes report lower levels of pain when using the DBS device compared to finger stick or standard venipuncture procedures. Once drawn, DBS samples can be transported without refrigeration and can be stored for extended periods of time, allowing for more opportunities for blood collection and reanalysis of samples.

Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)

The Athlete Biological Passport tracks selected biological markers in urine and blood samples that may indirectly indicate the effects of doping on the body.

The Athlete Biological Passport allows Anti-Doping Organizations to track individual athlete data and uses a mathematical model to monitor and analyze patterns and variations that may indicate doping in the body, as well as variations that may indicate the use of performance-enhancing drugs or methods.

Passports flagged by the model as atypical are reviewed by internal and external experts to determine whether the profile can be explained by normal physiology, a possible medical condition, or a prohibited method.

Athlete blood test data can also be used to complement traditional doping control approaches, such as conducting targeted anti-doping tests on athletes with atypical or suspicious characteristics, providing justification for special tests, or to establish an anti-doping rule violation.