The sample collection process in 5 steps
STEP 1 – Notification
The Doping Control Officer (or other doping control official) will notify the athlete that he/she has been selected for doping control. The athlete will then be asked to sign a form confirming that they understand their rights and obligations. If so requested, the athlete must confirm his/her identity by producing an identity document or event accreditation card bearing his/her photograph.
From the point of notification until the end of the sample collection process the athlete will be accompanied by a Doping Control Officer (or other doping control official) at all times.
STEP 2 – Report to Doping Control Station
The athlete must report to the Doping Control Station immediately after notification that he/she will undergo a test. Reporting to the Doping Control Station may only be postponed with the permission of the Doping Control Officer in the following situations:
For in-competition testing:
• participation in a victory ceremony;
• participation in a press conference;
• pending participation in further competitions;
• performing a warm-down;
• receiving necessary medical treatment;
• locating a representative and/or interpreter;
• obtaining photo identification;
For out-of-competition testing:
• locating a representative;
• completing a training session;
• receiving necessary medical treatment;
• obtaining photo identification.
Permission to postpone reporting to the Doping Control Station may also be granted in other reasonable and justifiable circumstances as determined by the Doping Control Officer.
STEP 3 – Selecting sample collection vessel
The Doping Control Officer will ask the athlete to choose a urine and/or blood collection vessel from the available selection. The athlete must personally check that the seals of the selected equipment are intact and have not been tampered with. If in doubt about the quality of the selected equipment, the athlete has the right to make a new choice.
If the athlete requires assistance selecting equipment or opening any of the packaging, the athlete may turn for assistance to his/her representative or the Doping Control Officer. The sample collection vessel should be in sight of the athlete (or the athlete’s representative) and the Doping Control Officer at all times.
STEP 4А – Providing a urine sample
The Doping Control Officer will ask the athlete to disrobe from knees to navel and from hands to elbow to provide an unobstructed view of the passing of the sample. The Doping Control Officer observing the urine leaving the athlete’s body will be of the same gender as the athlete. The athlete will need to provide a minimum of 90 ml of urine in the sample collection vessel. The athlete may require assistance with providing his/her sample only from his/her representative and not from the Doping Control Officer.
Following provision of the urine sample, the Doping Control Officer will ask the athlete to split it in two parts: sample A and sample B. For this purpose, the athlete will be offered to choose from a selection of equipment consisting of a styrofoam or cardboard box containing two bottles marked A and B. The athlete must check that the equipment has not been tampered with and that the seals are intact and the bottles are empty.
The athlete must pour urine up to the line in the B bottle first. The rest of the urine must be poured in the A bottle. The athlete must leave a small portion of the urine in the collection vessel. The Doping Control Officer will instruct the athlete to seal the bottles properly, place them in special plastic bags and put them back in the box.
The Doping Control Officer will then measure the specific gravity of the sample by using the residual urine in the sample collection vessel to ensure that the sample is not too diluted to analyze. If the sample is too dilute, the athlete may be required to provide one or more additional samples.
SAMPLE 4B – Providing a blood sample
The Blood Collection Officer will choose the most suitable vein to collect a blood sample and will clean the skin with a sterile disinfectant wipe or swab in a location unlikely to affect the athlete’s performance or health. The Blood Collection Officer has the right to make three attempts to remove a sufficient amount of blood for analysis from the athlete into a sample collection tube(s).
Following collection of the sample, the site(s) of the venipuncture(s) will be appropriately dressed. The athlete or the Blood Collection Officer will then seal the sample in a special container. The athlete must check the tubes and container for any leakage. The sealed sample(s) will be stored at a temperature which guarantees their suitability for their subsequent analysis.
STEP 5 – Filling in the doping control documentation
The Doping Control Officer will record the A and B sample numbers on the doping control form and ask the athlete to check if the recorded information in correct. The Doping Control Officer will ask the athlete to declare:
• any medications or supplements taken over the last seven days;
• any blood transfusions received over the last six months;
• any Therapeutic Use Exemption that the athlete has in place.
The Doping Control Officer will invite the athlete to provide concerns or comments, in case the athlete has any, about the conduct of the procedure on the Doping Control Form. The athlete will be invited to recheck and confirm that all recorded information is accurate and that the copy of the Doping Control Form to be furnished to the laboratory does not contain any information that may disclose his/her identity. The athlete will then be asked to sign the form and the Doping Control Officer will provide him/her with a copy.
