How anti-doping testing works, from notification to sample

Anti-doping testing can take place at an event, a training ground or an athlete's home, and in many sports at any time of year without warning. The steps that follow a notification are fixed in advance.

Testing happens in competition and out of competition

A test can happen in competition at an event, or out of competition at any other time or place, including training venues, and always on a no advance notice basis.

Athletes under a national anti-doping body's jurisdiction can be tested throughout the year, with no off-season. Testing is intelligence-led and risk-based, meaning schedules follow where the risk of doping is judged highest. usada.org

Steps after you are notified

Doping Control Personnel begin by showing their identification and explaining which samples are being collected, along with the athlete's rights and responsibilities and advice not to overhydrate.

The athlete shows identification and signs the Doping Control Form to confirm the notification. A chaperone then stays with the athlete at all times on the way to the Doping Control Station, where they are expected to report immediately unless a delay is permitted.

At the station the athlete chooses a sealed sample collection kit and checks it has not been tampered with. ukad.org.uk

Giving the sample, and why it is split

For a urine sample the athlete washes their hands or wears gloves. The Doping Control Officer, who is the same gender as the athlete, directly observes the sample, and at least 90 ml is required, which may take more than one attempt.

Once enough is collected, the officer asks the athlete to split it between the A and B bottles, starting with B. The athlete seals both and checks the tamper-evident lids are secure and that the codes on the bottles, lids, stickers and box match.

Blood samples are taken by a qualified phlebotomist, the Blood Collection Officer. Dried blood spot samples are collected by the Doping Control Officer.

Medicines, exemptions and the Prohibited List

Some medicines prescribed for genuine conditions appear on the World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited List, updated every year and in effect from 1 January. An athlete who needs one can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption under the agency's international standard. usada.org

A free online service lets athletes check a medicine's status by brand name or active ingredient. Exemptions cannot be issued for dietary supplements, so checking the product first stays with the athlete.

Whereabouts and record tests

Athletes in a testing pool submit whereabouts information so they can be located for out-of-competition testing without notice.

Breaking a national or world record can also trigger a test, because many records must be ratified with a drug test before they stand.

The process is slow and repetitive by design. Every sample is witnessed, sealed and split so the paperwork around it holds up afterwards.