Introduction to Doping Control

The aim of testing is to detect and deter doping amongst athletes and to protect clean athletes. Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of the European Olympic Committees may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in- or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine or a blood sample.

What to expect during the Doping Control Process

The doping control process is clearly defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency. This means that no matter where and when an Athlete is tested, the process should remain the same.

The key steps of the doping control process are listed out in this Doping Control resource prepared by the International Testing Agency (also available in Arabic (عربى), Chinese (中文), French (français), German (deutsche), Italian (italiano), Japanese (日本語), Korean (한국어), Portuguese (português), Russian (русский) and Spanish (español).

Rights & Responsibilities during Sample Collection

Athletes have a number of rights and responsibilities during the sample collection process.

Athlete rights during sample collection are to:

• Have a representative accompany them during the process
• Request an interpreter, if one is available
• Ask for Chaperone’s/Doping Control Officer’s identification
• Ask any questions
• Request a delay for a valid reason (e.g., attending a victory ceremony, receiving necessary medical attention, warming down or finishing a training session)
• Request special assistance or modifications to the process
• Record any comments or concerns on the Doping Control Form

Athlete responsibilities during sample collection are to:

• Report for testing immediately if selected
• Show valid identification (this can be the athlete’s accreditation in the context of the European Games)
• Remain in direct sight of the DCO or Chaperone
• Comply with the collection procedure

Athlete Biological Passport

The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) was introduced in 2009 and is a pillar method in the detection of doping. It is an individual electronic profile that monitors selected Athlete biological variables that indirectly reveal the effects of doping.

Video The Doping Control Process