Testing procedures : « A controlled process »
The aim of testing is to protect clean athletes through the detection and deterrence of doping.
Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of WBPF-FMBP 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 analysis. No Dried Blood Spot (DBS) analysis is currently foreseen.
Sample Collection Process
1. Athlete Selection: An athlete can be selected for testing at any time and any place.
2. Notification: A Doping Control Officer (DCO) or chaperone will notify the athlete of their selection and outline their rights and responsibilities.
3. 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.
4. Sample Collection Equipment: The athlete is given a choice of individually sealed sample collection vessels and kits to choose from.
5. They must inspect the equipment and verify the sample code numbers.
6. Collecting the sample:
⮚ 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).
7. 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 for their consent for the use of the sample for research purposes. They will receive a copy of the DCF and should keep it.
8. Laboratory Process: All samples are sent to WADA accredited laboratories for analysis.
What are testing pools and why are whereabouts important for clean sport ?
Out-of-competition testing with no-advance notice is one of the most powerful means of deterrence and detection of doping. To support this type of testing, WBPF-FMBP has created testing pools as part of its testing program.
Certain athletes in the WBPF-FMBP testing pools, such as those in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) are required to provide information on their whereabouts in ADAMS, WADA’s online anti-doping administration and management system.
WBPF-FMBP updates the composition of the testing pools (RTP) => PAS APPLICABLE? and [insert name of lower-tier or team IF testing pools too if applicable]) regularly/at least yearly. Athletes in the RTP are chosen based on set criteria respecting the following principles: fairness, geographical representativity, non discrimination, equal treatment of genders and age categories.
How do athletes know they need to provide whereabouts ?
Athletes who need to provide whereabouts in ADAMS are notified WBPF-FMBP of their inclusion in a testing pool as well as what information exactly is required of them, how to use ADAMS, deadlines to submit this information and any consequences if the information required is not submitted.
What do RTP/TP athletes need to know ?
Should athletes have any query on ADAMS, such as how to submit whereabouts, please refer to the ADAMS Help Center or contact the WBPF-FMBP Anti Doping team via email
Tips for RTP/TP athletes
Set a calendar reminder of the key dates/deadlines to submit quarterly whereabouts information
For RTP athletes only: Set an alarm for the start of the 60-minute time slot
Be as specific as possible when submitting your whereabouts information
Make modifications to your whereabouts information when changes occur
If you have any doubts, please contact WBPF-FMBP Anti Doping team via emqil
Download the app Athlete Central in order to facilitate all the processes related to the whereabouts system
Check the WADA Q&A Whereabouts
Check the At-a-Glance: Athlete Whereabouts
What should athletes do if they wish to retire or return to competition after retiring ?
All WBPF-FMBP licensed athletes who decide to retire from competition must inform WBPF-FMBP.
For RTP athletes, as soon as the retirement is officially confirmed to WBPF-FMBP, the athlete will be withdrawn from WBPF-FMBP’s RTP with immediate effect. If an athlete wishes to resume competing, they will not be able to do so until they have given the WBPF-FMBP written notice of their intent to resume competition (i.e. by completing and sending a Return to Competition Form) and made themselves available for testing for a period of six months. Please consult Article 5.6 of the WBPF-FMBP Anti-Doping Rules.