UK Anti-Doping coordinates the UK’s testing programme across more than 40 sports in accordance with the International Standard for Testing.
In operating a national Anti-Doping Programme, UK Anti-Doping is responsible for the collection and transportation of samples for analysis to a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory. UK Anti-Doping is also responsible for reporting all test results to the appropriate National Governing Body (NGB) or International Federation (IF).
In-competition testing
In-competition testing is testing conducted in connection with a sporting event. WADA define In-competition as “the period commencing twelve hours before competition…through to the end of such competition and the Sample collection process related to such competition” unless it is stated otherwise by the rules of an IF or other relevant Anti-Doping Organisation.
Every sporting event may be subject to testing and athletes should familiarise themselves with the rules of each competition as defined by their IF or NGB.
Who can be tested?
Any athlete that has entered a competition or has been named as a member of a team participating in a competition at any level within the UK is eligible for testing as part of UK Anti-Doping’s national Anti-Doping programme.
Selection process for testing In-competition
The selection of athletes for testing is determined by UK Anti-Doping in conjunction with the NGB or IF. Selection is based on the following criteria
- Placing in the event (e.g. 1st, 2nd or 10th) or lane draw
- Discipline, category or round
- A set number of players from each team (usually using random selection)
- Pre-selected testing
- Qualifying for national representation.
Most sports will not recognise a World or National record until an athlete has been tested and a negative result has been returned.
Out-of-competition testing
Athletes subject to the anti-doping rules of their sport are eligible for testing at any time. In addition to this, some athletes may be selected for the National Registered Testing Pool (NRTP).
Athletes nominated for inclusion in the NRTP will be notified by UK Anti-Doping and will be required to supply details of their whereabouts on ADAMS. This is called Whereabouts Filing.
Sample collection
UK Anti-Doping follows the International Standard for Testing (IST) which is applicable to testing In and Out-of-competition.
Procedures for testing abroad may vary slightly from country to country but should always meet the IST. Athletes are advised to read and understand their sport’s anti-doping rules and sample collection procedures.
Doping Control staff
A team of Doping Control Officers (DCOs) are authorised by UK Anti-Doping to conduct testing in the UK. DCOs are trained to comply with the IST and are regularly assessed and monitored. DCOs in the UK are trained to notify, chaperone, observe sample collection and process samples. UK Anti-Doping also has a team of trained chaperones authorised by the organisation to assist the DCOs in notifying and chaperoning athletes until they report to the doping control station.
Chaperones in the UK do not witness sample provision.
UK Anti-Doping has a pool of Blood Collection Officers (BCOs) who are all trained phlebotomists with experience in venipuncture and who collect samples for blood testing.
