Testing

Who is subject to testing under the WDF Anti-Doping Rules?

As an athlete who is a member of the WDF, you can be notified for testing under the Testing Authority of the WDF, a National Ant-Doping Organization, and the World Anti-Doping Agency. 

For further information regarding how you are bound to the WDF Anti-Doping Rules refer to the WDF Anti-Doping Rules which deals with testing.

Who can conduct sample collection?

The WDF can request that a National Anti-Doping Organization, a Regional Anti-Doping Organization, or a private Service Provider to act as a Sample Collection Authority and conduct testing on their behalf. The Sample Collection Authority then assigns certified Sample Collection Personnel to conduct the testing.

Testing Procedures

The aim of testing is to protect clean athletes through the detection and deterrence of doping. 

Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of the WDF may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in-competition or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine, blood sample or blood for a Dried Blood Spot (DBS) analysis. 

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 their consent for the use of the sample for research purposes. They will receive a copy of the DCF and should keep it.

When is a test considered in-competition?

The WDF Anti-Doping Rules define the in-competition period as starting at 23:59 on the day before a competition in which an athlete is scheduled to participate in and carries through to the end of such competition and any sample collection process related to the competition. 

Where does my sample go?

All urine and/or blood samples are shipped and analysed at World Anti-Doping Agency Laboratories, as required under the World Anti-Doping Code.