Testing

The aim of testing is to protect clean athletes through the detection and deterrence of doping.

Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of WDSF may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in- or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine, blood sample or blood for a Dried Blood Spot (DBS) analysis.

Sample Collection Process

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqsRkROHvH0 (Doping Control Webinar ITA)

Athlete Selection: An athlete can be selected for testing at any time and any place.
Notification: A Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone will notify the athlete of their selection and outline their rights and responsibilities.
Reporting to the Doping Control Station: The athlete should report to the doping control station immediately after being notified. The DCO may allow a delay in reporting for a valid reason.
Sample Collection Equipment: The athlete is given a choice of individually sealed sample collection vessels and kits to choose from.
They must inspect the equipment and verify the sample code numbers.

Collecting the sample:

Testing (Urine).jpg

For a urine sample:
- Providing the sample: The athlete will be asked to provide the sample under the direct observation of a DCO or witnessing chaperone of the same gender.
- Volume: A minimum 90mL is required for urine samples. If the first sample is not 90mL, the athlete may be asked to wait and provide an additional sample.
- Splitting the sample: The athlete will split their sample into A and B bottles.
- Sealing the samples: The athlete will seal the A and B bottles in accordance with the DCO’s instructions.
- Measuring specific gravity: The DCO will measure the specific gravity of the sample to ensure it is not too dilute to analyze. If it is too dilute, the athlete may be asked to provide additional samples.

For a blood sample:
- The athlete will be asked to remain seated and relaxed for at least 10 minutes before undergoing venipuncture (only for the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) blood samples).
- The Blood Collection Officer (BCO) will ask for the athlete’s non-dominant arm, apply a tourniquet to the upper arm, and clean the skin at the puncture site.
- The BCO will draw blood from the athlete and fill each Vacutainer blood tube with the required volume of blood.
- The BCO will place the Vacutainer tubes into the A and B kits (only one vial may be necessary if the blood sample is collected as part of an ABP program).

For a Dried Blood Spot (DBS) analysis

Factsheet on the basics of DBS, available on ADEL
- The DCO/BCO will assess the most suitable location for the puncture that is unlikely to adversely affect the athlete or their sporting performance (e.g., finger of a non-dominant hand/arm).
- The athlete will warm the sample collection site (especially in case the hands are cold).
- The DCO/BCO will disinfect the blood sample site with a sterile disinfectant pad or swab.
- The DCO/BCO will collect the blood from the fingertips (with cellulose based cards) or from the upper arm (with microneedles devices).
- The DCO/BCO will transfer the DBS samples into a secure kit that is labeled as A&B.

Completing the Doping Control Form (DCF): The athlete will check and confirm that all of the information is correct, including the sample code number and their declaration of medications and/or products they have used. They will also be asked their consent for the use of the sample for research purposes. They will receive a copy of the DCF and should keep it.
Laboratory Process: All samples are sent to WADA accredited laboratories for analysis.

Athlete Biological Passport

The fundamental principle of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is to monitor selected biological variables over time that indirectly reveal the effects of doping rather than attempting to detect the doping substance or method itself.

Testing Pools

No-advance notice out-of-competition testing is one of the most powerful means of deterrence and detection of doping. To support this type of testing, the WDSF can develop various testing pools as part of its testing program.

In any case, any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of the WDSF may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in- or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine or blood sample.

ADAMS

Under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) — the document harmonizing anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries — WADA has an obligation to coordinate anti-doping activities and to provide a mechanism to assist stakeholders with their implementation of the Code.

The Anti-Doping Administration & Management System (ADAMS) was developed for this purpose. It is a Web-based database management system that simplifies the daily activities of all stakeholders and athletes involved in the anti-doping system.

Available in English, French, Spanish, German, Japanese, Russian, Italian, Turkish, Dutch, Chinese, Korean and Arabic, not only is ADAMS easy to use, it is also free for WADA’s stakeholders allowing them to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the fight against doping in sport. ADAMS’ multi-level access system protects the security and confidentiality of data.

ADAMS is a clearinghouse where all data can be stored, in particular Laboratory Results, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) and information on Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). It facilitates the sharing of information amongst relevant organizations and promotes efficiency, transparency and effectiveness in all anti-doping activities.

ADAMS addresses the key activities of anti-doping operations through its many functions.

The ADAMS Whereabouts Tutorial on how to submit whereabouts information is available on WADA's Youtube channel.

TUE Management

ADAMS facilitates online management of TUE requests, as well as online notification to those involved in the process. TUE information is shared with all and only relevant parties, thus for the athlete one submission is all that is necessary. Upon approval of the TUE, ADAMS also provides the athletes the option to print their Certificate of Approval for their records.

Test Planning & Results Management

The ADAMS doping control database provided to ADOs is an essential tool for managing both an in- and out-of-competition doping control program. Stakeholders can use ADAMS to plan, coordinate and order tests, as well as to manage test results. Coordination of doping control programs in the ADAMS system helps to avoid duplication of testing efforts and harmonizes communications between testing authorities, sample collection agencies as well as WADA-accredited Laboratories.

Lab Results Module

WADA-accredited laboratories utilize ADAMS to submit test results to the appropriate authorities including WADA. In this way, Results Management Organizations are notified of results promptly and clearly and WADA is automatically engaged to ensure transparency in all results management processes.

ADAMS was launched in 2005 for the initial pilot phase. The system has since then been introduced and implemented by most Anti-Doping Organizations and all WADA accredited anti-doping laboratories.

Please consult the list of organizations using ADAMS.