I'm being tested! - Step by Step Guide for the Dope Test Procedure
Table of Contents
- What is doping?
- Who can be tested?
- Why am I being testing?
- How do I find out I am going to be tested?
- Testing during competition - Who will be testing me?
- Am I allowed to bring someone with me to the test?
- Where and when can a doping test take place?
- Do I have to be tested by someone of the opposite gender?
- What happens if inspectors appear?
- Do I have to drop everything and go at once?
- What should I take into consideration when handing over my urine or blood sample?
- What does “under exact visual supervision” mean?
- What if the urine sample is too small?
- Testing the density of the urine sample
- Can I be asked for multiple urine samples?
- Do I receive proof of submitting to the dope test?
- What happens with my urine sample?
- Do I receive notice of the results of my test?
- Can I refuse to take the test?
- What happens if I refuse to take the test?
- Medical exemptions from being tested
- What do I do if I am ill?
- Memorandum for athletes (Rights and obligations of the dope testing procedure)
I'm being tested!
-About this Informational Brochure -
The idea of fair play and following the rules of the game are of utmost importance to all athletes. One of the most important rules is the ban on doping, which is ensured by regular testing in competition. Dope testing not only ensures fair play, but also helps to prevent serious illness and injury resulting from intake and misuse of illicit substances.
The following information will try to answer the most common questions posed by athletes being tested for the first time, and the procedure of being tested.
1. What is doping?
There is no simple definition for doping. Rather than defining doping, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has compiled a list of conditions and procedures which are considered doping. According to WADA, not only is testing positive for the intake of illicit substances considered doping, but also the refusal to take the doping test in the first place and by practicing certain techniques. In total there are eight points in the WADA list which qualify as doping.
All banned techniques and substances are detailed in the WADA Prohibited List, which is updated once yearly. The valid list is the most current version of the Prohibited List at the time of testing.
2. Who can be tested?
All athletes participating in national or international competition.
3. Why am I being tested?
4. How do I find out I am going to be tested?
In competition you will be personally notified by a chaperone of the Doping Control Commission that you have been selected for a doping test. You will then be accompanied and observed by the chaperone, and later a Doping Control Officer, until the testing procedure is complete.
5. Who will be testing me?
6. Am I allowed to bring someone with me to the test?
Yes. You have the right to bring a trusted individual with you, who may remain with you at all times, during the testing procedure. You also have the right to have a translator present.
7. Where and when can a doping test take place?
The doping test must be performed in a space that can provide the necessary discretion and where the correctness of the test can be guaranteed. Where possible, two separate rooms should be provided for the filling out of forms and collection of sample.
In competition testing will be performed as soon as possible after the end of competition. Attendance at medal ceremonies and press conferences is at the discretion of the chaperone. If attendance is allowed, it shall be under the strict supervision of the chaperone.
8. Do I have to be tested by someone of the opposite gender?
No. In Germany, all testing personnel present during the collection of the urine sample must be of the same gender as the athlete. There are no exceptions to this rule!
9. What happens if inspectors appear?
10. Do I have to drop everything and go at once?
No. You may first find a trusted individual to accompany you to the testing facility. You may also, with permission of the chaperone, complete any medal ceremonies, press conferences, and medical treatments. From the point of initial contact with the chaperone, you will remain under the observation and supervision of testing personnel until the testing procedure is complete and final testing results have been signed.
11. What should I take into consideration when handing over my urine or blood sample?
1. Open collection kit and urine cup.
2. Under exact visual supervision you must collect at least 90ml of urine in the cup.
3. You must then divide the urine in 2:1 ratio between the two bottles (60ml in Bottle-A, 30 ml in Bottle-B). With your consent, the testing officer may divide the urine sample in the two bottles for you. A small amount of urine must remain in the collection cup so that the testing officer may test it's density (see point 14).
4. The bottles will then be sealed with a screw cap whose teeth lock firmly into place on the glass bottle. The bottles are tested for leaks and sealed in individual bags containing absorbing pads. The bottles are then sealed inside the container, where they are only to be opened once again inside the laboratory.
5. In the event of a blood test, the blood will be taken from a vein. In Germany, blood samples may only taken by a doctor.
12. What does “under exact visual supervision” mean?
13. What if the urine sample is too small?
If the amount of collected urine is not sufficient for testing, the partial amount will be saved. You will then remain under supervision of the chaperone or testing officer until enough urine of the proper density has been collected. The sample collected earlier will be mixed with the remaining urine and divided amongst the collection bottles as described in section 11.
14. Testing the density of the urine sample
Ir order for the urine to be properly analyzed in the lab, it must have a specific density. The measuring of the density will be performed by the testing officer. Urine density is determied from the remaining urine left in the collection cup after the sample bottles have been filled.
15. Can I be asked for multiple urine samples?
Yes.
1. In the event of suspicious or fraudulent samples.
-or-
2. If the collected sample has a density lower that 1.010. (1.005 when measured with a refractometer)
In either instance, the testing officer will ask for another urine sample. You will remain under the supervision of the chaperone or testing officer until a sufficient sample has been collected.
16. Do I receive proof of submitting to the dope test?
Yes. The testing officer keeps records of each testing procedure. This report is a standardized form which is filled out for each athlete tested.The formula contains the following information: name of athlete, form of identification used, sporting event, date and time of testing, location of urine sample collection, personal code from the sample bottles, amount of urine collected, and density of urine. There is also space for any medications taken within seven days of testing. Medical records relating to exemption from testing (see section 21) can also be attached to this form. After sample collection is completed, the formula is too be reviewed for correctness and signed by you, the person accompanying you, and the testing officer.
Any reservations or specifics concerns on how the testing procedure was performed or the materials used during testing can be filled in by anyone present during testing under the heading “Remarks” on the bottom of the form. KEEP IN MIND: Any problems or concerns NOT filled in on the form cannot be used during later trials or proceedings. You will receive a copy of the formula before you leave the testing facility.
Download Medical File (PDF)
17. What happens with my urine sample?
18. Do I receive notice of the results of my test?
You will receive notification of the test results only in the event that urine analysis comes back positive.
19. Can I refuse to take the test?
No. If you are chosen to submit to doping test, you must go through with it.
20. What happens if I refuse to take the test?
The testing officer will advise you that refusal to submit to a doping test will lead to a positive result for doping on the test report. This positive result will then be forwarded to the sporting event organizers.
21. Medical exemptions from being tested
Please refer to the Anti-Doping Policy
Download Medical File (PDF)
22. What do I do if I am ill?
In case of illness, go first to a doctor for treatment.
23. Memorandum for athletes
-Rights and obligations of the dope testing procedure-
Each athlete has the right to:
- a trusted individual to accompany them to the test
- a testing officer of the same gender during supervised urine collection (in Germany)
- see the photo-identification of the testing officer
- a testing facility that guarantees discretion and correctness of test
- address any problems or concerns of the testing procedure on the test report
- demand analysis of B-sample in the event of a positive result of the A-sample
- be present with trusted accompaniment of your choice during the analysis of B-sample in the event of a positive A-sample
- legal counsel and a translator in the event of further trials or proceedings
Each athlete has the obligation to:
- complete the testing procedure as promptly as possible; refusal to submit to the test or tampering with urine samples will result in a ban from competition of at least 2 years
- show photo-identification when approached by testing personnel
- inform the testing officer of any medication taken within the last seven days of test
- submit multiple urine samples at the request of the testing officer due to problems with the first sample, for example, insufficient urine density
