Athletes can be selected for testing at anytime and anywhere.
SLADA has a network of highly qualified Doping Control Personnel who oversee the doping control process.
When you are required for a drugs test, you will be notified by a Doping Control Officer (DCO) or a Witnessing Chaperone. They will show you their identification and notify you that you have been selected. You will need to report with the Chaperone or DCO to the Doping Control Station. You will be accompanied at all times by the Chaperone or DCO. When you are ready to provide a urine sample the DCO or a Witnessing Chaperone will manage the process and directly observe you whilst you provide your sample.
Sometimes you might be selected to provide a blood sample as well as a urine sample for testing. If you are selected to provide a blood sample, a Blood Collection Officer (BCO) will be in attendance. BCOs are trained and experienced phlebotomists and can carry out the blood-sample collection duties once you have reported to the Doping Control Station.
From notification for Doping Control, athletes have the right to:
From notification for Doping Control, athletes have the right to:
The athlete should report immediately for the doping control test. The DCO may allow a delay in reporting under circumstances such as attending a press conference or victory ceremony, and completing a training session.
Athletes have the right to request a ‘delay’ in immediately reporting to doping control for a permitted reason as specified in the International Standard for Testing (IST). Any request must be approved by the Doping Control Personnel.
Permitted reasons for a delay include:
If you compete abroad, SLADA recommends that you always take a representative with you and locate an interpreter if required.
The athlete will be given a few individually sealed sample collection vessels to select from. It is important to ensure that the packaging is intact and that the vessel is free of contaminant.
When the athlete is ready to provide with the sample, the athlete will be accompanied by a DCO or chaperone of the same gender to the toilet. The athlete should wash his/her hands, disrobe from knees to chest and from hands to elbow to provide an unobstructed view of the passing of the sample to the DCO or chaperone. A minimum of 90 ml of urine is needed for a complete sample. The athlete may also be asked to provide a blood sample during the same doping control session.
Athletes will be offered a choice of sealed sample collection equipment (which includes A Sample and B Sample bottles), and should check they have not been tampered with.
The athlete will divide the sample between the A Sample and B Sample bottles, and then tightly fasten the bottles. The B Sample bottle should contain at least 30 ml of urine and the rest can be poured into the A Sample bottle. The bottle will then need to be sealed in plastic bags and placed into the storage box. The athlete can provide consent for his/her representative or the DCO to assist, if required. A small amount of urine should be left in the collection vessel for the DCO to measure the specific gravity.
The DCO will check the Specific Gravity of the sample to ensure it is not too diluted for analysis. If the sample is too diluted, the DCO will record this on the doping control form and request additional samples to be provided until one that is within the required range for Specific Gravity is provided, or until the DCO determines that, due to exceptional circumstances, the session should end.
The athlete will complete the Doping Control Form by:
All collected samples will be packaged and sent to a WADA-accredited laboratory for analysis. The transportation will be monitored by chain of custody procedures to ensure the security of the samples and that the samples can be tracked.
Download the Doping Control Procedure brochure from the Resources section.
Modifications for Minors and Athletes with a Disability
An athlete who is a minor or an athlete with a disability may require slight modifications to the sample collection procedure.
MINORS
Minors must be notified in the presence of an adult, who could be the athlete’s coach or manager, another member of Doping Control Personnel, or a representative from a National Sports Federation. The athlete may be accompanied by an athlete representative at all times during the sample collection procedure, including in the washroom area during sample provision. However, the representative will not witness the passing of the sample. If the athlete decides not to have a representative, the DCO may ask a third party to be present.
ATHLETES WITH A DISABILITY
Athletes with a physical disability, or have restricted mobility or manual dexterity may ask an adult athlete representative or the DCO to assist when handling the sample collection equipment, splitting of the sample, or completing the doping control form. The representative may complete the required sections of the doping control form and sign the form on the athlete’s behalf if the athlete is unable to do so.
Athletes with a visual impairment must be accompanied by an adult athlete representative at all times during notification and the sample collection procedure, including in the washroom area during sample provision. However, the representative will not witness the passing of the sample. The representative must read the contents of the doping control form to the athlete, and the athlete may ask the representative to make any comments on the doping control form on his/her behalf if necessary.
Athletes with an intellectual disability must be accompanied by an adult athlete representative at all times during notification and the sample collection procedure, including in the washroom area during sample provision. However, the representative will not witness the passing of the sample. The representative may read the contents of the doping control form to the athlete if required.
Athletes using condom drainage or indwelling catheter drainage should remove the existing collection bag and drain the system so that a fresh sample can be obtained. Athletes who self-catheterize may use their own catheter to provide a sample (this catheter should be in a tamper-evident packaging), or use one provided by the DCO if available.