FAQ
What is the definition of Doping?It is the attempt of an athlete to use a banned substance or method to improve their performance by ways that cannot be achieved through normal training. These substances or methods are those, which are prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Code.
Legally it is defined in Art. 1 of the IBU Anti – Doping Rules (ADR) as the occurrence of one or more of the anti-doping rule violations set forth in Article 2.1 through Article 2.8 of these Anti-Doping Rules.
There are several ideas currently being developed and implemented.
IBU has just implemented the “Clean Biathlonworld” which is an interactive education program based on the Education requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code). “Clean Biathlonworld” will give athletes and their support personnel knowledge about key topics such as: doping control procedures and routines, the WADA prohibited list, whereabouts, therapeutic use exemption, etc. Upon successful completion of the modules the user will be registered as certified.
Further a specific IBU video on the doping controls at an IBU event is going to be produced in the next months.
All this is available on-line on the IBU webpage.
Another project is to teach RTP athletes how to use the ADAMS where about system correctly. This very complex online system is not very easy to handle but filing failures can be sanctioned. Thus IBU is ken on helping the athletes to lear how to use this updated system by WADA.
The test samples are sent to any of the accredited WADA laboratories. This list is available on the WADA Web Site. They are tested for the banned substances on the list, including all known forms of EPO in blood and urine.
The cost of a test varies. If the test is for just the banned substances, not including EPO is about 240 Euros; if a urine EPO test is added the cost rises by approximately 200 Euros; if a serum blood test is added the price rises by about 1000 Euros. For a complete profile for a single athlete, the total cost is approximately 1500 Euros.
There are many WADA approved laboratories; the IBU does not use the same one every time. It is based on the location and if a certain test is needed that is only available at limited facilities. The analysis is conducted according to the WADA International Standard for Testing and the WADA International Standard for Laboratories.
Out-of-competition testing of IBU athletes is done by the IBU, WADA, National Antidoping Organizations and National Federations. It is coordinated through a system called ADAMS, a central clearinghouse for tests. If a National Federation has conducted a test, it can be found in the data bank, thus avoiding duplication. The IBU and WADA share information regarding testing, giving WADA the first right to conduct a test or additional tests.
There are several ideas currently being developed and implemented.
One of them is to develop a video that athletes will be able to view on-line. It will educate them by going through several doping scenarios and explain them. When the athlete has completed this educational project, they will be eligible to receive a certificate certifying they have completed this anti-Doping education.
Another project is to teach RTP athletes how to use the ADAMS where about system correctly. This very complex online system is not very easy to handle but filing failures can be sanctioned. Thus IBU is ken on helping the athletes to lear how to use this updated system by WADA.
The IBU, along with WADA is notified of an adverse finding by the laboratory and the IBU in turn notifies the athlete and the National Federation and the National Anti – Doping Agency.
The result Management process is initiated by the Anti – Doping Administrator.
If the IBU would not take action, WADA would take action. This is a check-and-balance system.
The laboratory reports an adverse analytical finding by definition of a Doping violation or a notification of a banned substance. Some substances are banned in competition, but not out-of-competition. It depends on the season and the class of the medicine. Some medicines have to be above a certain threshold, such as some asthma medicines. A level above the threshold is a violation.
Also, if the athlete has an applicable Therapeutic Use Exemption, or there are departures from the International Standards, then this would not be considered an Anti – Doping Rule Violation.
There are slight differences. Some sports have specified substances for their sport. For example in archery and position shooting, beta-blockers are on the list. They are not on the list for biathlon, because if a biathlete used a beta-blocker, they would not finish the ski race.
There are several definitions of a violation, which can be seen in Art. 2.1 to 2.8 of the IBU Anti – Doping Rules. WADA recently updated the WADA CODE 2009. In order to be in compliance with those rules, the number and kind of IBU Anti – Doping Rule Violations (ADRV) is as follows:
2.1 The presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample
2.2 Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method
2.3 Refusing or failing without compelling justification to submit to Sample collection after notification as authorized in these Anti-Doping Rules, or otherwise evading Sample collection.
2.4 Violation of applicable requirements regarding Athlete availability for Out-of-Competition Testing set out in the International Standard for Testing, including failure to file whereabouts information ...
2.5 Tampering or Attempted Tampering with any part of Doping Control.
2.6 Possession of Prohibited Substances and Methods
2.7 Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking in any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method.
2.8 Administration or Attempted administration to any Athlete In-Competition of any Prohibited Method or Prohibited Substance, or administration or Attempted administration to any Athlete Out-of-Competition of any Prohibited Method or any Prohibited Substance that is prohibited Out-of-Competition, or assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, covering up or any other type of complicity involving an anti-doping rule violation or any Attempted anti- doping rule violation.
Out-of-competition testing of IBU athletes is done by the IBU, WADA, and National Federations. It is coordinated through a system called ADAMS, a central clearinghouse for tests. If a National Federation has conducted a test, it can be found in the data bank, thus avoiding duplication. The IBU and WADA share information regarding testing, giving WADA the first right to conduct a test or additional tests.
The IBU Testing Pool is comprised of the top athletes from the previous season’s Overall World Cup standings. Those athletes remain in the pool for the whole season. Athletes are added to that pool based on abnormal blood profiles, anyone who has applied for the IBU blood exemption, any athlete returning to competition after completing a ban for any doping infraction and athletes who are declared retired from the sport. Retired athletes remain in the pool for one year.
Only a limited number of athletes are in the IBU Testing Pool, because it is a very difficult task to get the 24 hour a day whereabouts of a large group. It takes an immense amount of work by the athletes and the IBU. The IBU has one person at IBU headquarters, who works exclusively on this program. The rules are defined in Art. 5.5.1. and following of the IBU ADR.
5.5.1 Registered Testing Pool
A minimum of 30 male and 30 female athletes will comprise the IBU Registered Testing Pool (IBU RTP). These athletes are required to comply with the whereabouts requirements of the International Standard for Testing. They are selected based on the prior years World Cup Final Score.
Athletes can be added to the IBU RTP under the following circumstances:
a) by virtue of their placing in the top twenty of any IBU World Cup ranking competition.
b) when a change in performance or hematological profile is deemed significant when evaluated by the MC.
c) Athletes who are serving periods of ineligibility as consequences of anti-doping rule violations are to be part of the IBURTP.
d) Athletes who apply for haemoglobin exemption will be added automatically to the IBU RTP.
Each Athlete in the Registered Testing Pool
(a) shall advise IBU of his/her whereabouts on a quarterly basis, in the manner set out in Article 11.3 of the International Standard for Testing via ADAMS;
(b) shall update that information as necessary, in accordance with Article 11 of the International Standard for Testing, so that it remains accurate and complete at all times. They shall to enter specifically one hour per day where they can be located.
(c) shall make him/herself available for Testing at such whereabouts, in accordance with Article 11.4 of the International Standard for Testing.
[Comment to Article 5.5.1: The purpose of the IF Registered Testing Pool is to identify top-level International Athletes who the IF requires to provide whereabouts information to facilitate Out-of-Competition Testing by IF and other Anti-Doping Organizations with jurisdiction over the Athletes. IF will identify such Athletes in accordance with the requirements of Articles 4 and 11.2 of the International Standard for Testing.]
5.5.2 An Athlete who has been identified by the IBU for inclusion in the IBURTP will continue to be available for No Advance Notice Out-of-Competition Testing, unless and until the Athlete gives written notice to the IBU that he has retired or until he no longer satisfies the criteria for inclusion in the IBU RTP and has been so informed by the IBU. An Athlete who has given notice of retirement to the IBU may not resume competing unless he notifies the IBU at least 6 months before he expects to return to competition and is available for unannounced Out-of-Competition Testing at any time during the period before actual return to competition.
5.5.3 In addition to Athletes included in the IBU RTP, the Chairperson of the IBU MC may select Athletes for IBU Target Testing based on the following criteria:
a) Withdrawal or absence from expected Competition;
b) Retirement;
c) Behaviour indicating doping;
d) Changes in performance;
e) Changes in Athlete Whereabouts Information that may indicate a
potential increase in the risk of doping.
f) Changes in haematological profile;
g) Details of past Doping Controls;
h) Athlete reinstatement after a period of ineligibility; and
i) Injury;
j) haemoglobin scores exceed 17.5 g/dl (males) or 16 g/dl (females) at anytime or the off model score exceed 133.2 (males) or 121.4 (females), or off model scores less than 80 (males) or 65 (females).
The accuracy depends on the length of time the sample is stored. Delaying the analysis of the sample can affect the accuracy of the test. If the urine is frozen immediately and the blood has an anti-coagulant in it, then the test should be done within seven days. Beyond that, the levels can fall off because the biological proteins start breaking down and may not be visible. Nevertheless, the accuracy level is extremely high. A positive test is based on WADA rules.
That WADA Laboratory technician does not know who the person is or the country from which they come. Each sample has a coded number (ISL). Only three people know the person that matches these numbers: the IBU Vice-President Medical Issues, the IBU Doctor who did the testing, and the IBU Secretary General. Confidentiality is an intrinsic part of the process.
The test samples are sent to any of the accredited WADA laboratories. This list is available on the WADA Web Site http://www.wada-ama.org/en/dynamic.ch2pagecategory.id=333 . They are tested for the banned substances on the list, including all known forms of EPO in blood and urine.
The cost of a test varies. If the test is for just the banned substances, not including EPO is about 240 Euros; if a urine EPO test is added the cost rises by approximately 200 Euros; if a serum blood test is added the price rises by about 1000 Euros. For a complete profile for a single athlete, the total cost is approximately 1500 Euros.
There are many WADA approved laboratories; the IBU does not use the same one every time. It is based on the location and if a certain test is needed that is only available at limited facilities. The analysis is conducted according to the WADA International Standard for Testing and the WADA International Standard for Laboratories.
The IBU Medical Committee conducts all tests at IBU competitions. The IBU also runs an out-of-competition testing program in conjunction with WADA.
All regulations for testing procedures and the selection process can be seen in Art. 5 of the IBU ADR. IBU conducts blood and urine testing.
Pre-competition testing is the IBU’s blood testing program. It has two parts; one is the pre-World Cup blood testing, done on the first day before each World Cup, where up to fifty athletes will be tested and check their blood profile.
That is the same as the second part, pre-competition blood tests. The athletes selected are a combination of random draw and some other athletes whom the IBU wishes to recheck their profile.
Post-competition testing is based on abnormal blood profiles from the pre-competition tests, as well as the IBU rules for post-competition. In World Cups, the winner plus one random athlete is tested, while at World Championships, the top four plus one random athlete is tested. The IBU will also involve more people if there is a desire to do targeted testing. Beginning this season, there is also some nighttime testing, where an athlete is picked up from their hotel for testing.
The mode of selection for urine testing is defined in Art. 6.6.2.1 of the IBU ADR:
"6.6.2.1 Mode of Selection of Athletes for Urine Testing
a. As a matter of principle, the best placed Athlete plus one additional Athlete whose name has been determined by a random draw have to undergo urine testing.
The draw will be made immediately after the start of the first Athlete.
The DCO will be responsible for holding the draw. Therefore, all Athletes who at the moment of the draw have not officially withdrawn from the competition, and whose names are drawn for testing, must undergo urine testing.
b. In Senior and Junior World Championships, the Athletes placed 1 – 4 and
one other Athlete drawn by lot will be tested after each competition. The same goes for one member of each team placed 1 – 4 and for one Athlete drawn by lot from another team.
c. In Youth World Championships the best placed Athlete and one additional Athlete chosen by random will be tested.
d. In World Cups and Continental Championships the winner of each competition plus one other Athlete, in each competition, drawn by lot will undergo testing. The same goes for one member of the winning team and for one Athlete drawn by lot from another team. At each World Cup event, Doping Controls will take place."
The IBU EB or the Medical Delegate can choose more Athletes for any type of urine testing without previous notice. WADA is given authorization to conduct its own tests as agreed upon with the IBU. Immediately after the competition or after the lots have been drawn, all Athletes selected for urine testing shall be handed a request to attend Doping Control by a Doping Control Escort (Chaperone) appointed by the DCC. From then on the Chaperone shall be physically beside the Athlete and keep the Athlete under observation at all times and accompany him to the waiting room at the Doping Control Station. When initial contact is made, the DCO must ensure that the Athlete is informed of his rights and responsibilities and of the location of the Doping Control Station. The Athlete shall report to the Doping Control Station with his accreditation card or national identification document immediately and no later than one hour after receipt of the request to attend Doping Control. It is the Athlete’s responsibility to remain within the sight of the DCO and Chaperone at all times from the first moment of in-person notification by the DCO until the completion of the Sample collection procedure.
The mode of selection for blood testing is defined in Art. 6.6.3.2.1 of the IBU ADR.
“6.6.3.2.1 Mode of selection for blood testing
a) Before each competition in a World Cup and a World Championship and before other competitions according to Executive Board ruling following recommendation by the Medical Committee, at least six Athletes, chosen by drawing lots, must undergo a blood test. All Athletes who are to be found on the start list at the time of the draw shall be included in the draw. The lots shall be drawn according to the contingencies of the venue between three (3) and two (2) hours before the start of zeroing. The draw shall take place under the direction of the Medical Delegate.
b) The Chairperson of the OC,
the Medical Delegate and the Race Director will agree upon a system of collecting the drawn Athletes for each venue. The system must be announced for each venue at the first Team Captains Meeting. Immediately after the draw, the start numbers of the Athletes selected for blood testing will be announced on a sign posted at the entrance to the Doping Control Station and on the Athletes Compound Information Board.
c) The procedure for implementing the agreed system must follow the directions of the Medical Delegate and RD.
d) Depending on the chosen system, Athletes should either stay at their lodgings until an hour before the start of zeroing or must assemble at the Athletes Compound at the latest 45 minutes before zeroing. The Athletes will identify themselves to the Chaperones by presenting their accreditation card. Athletes selected for blood testing will sign the Doping Control Form and remain with the haperone until they arrive at the Doping Control Station. The Athlete shall be considered having been informed as soon as the notification has been given to his team.
e) As long as Athletes have not been officially withdrawn from the start list by the start of the draw, they shall undergo a blood test. Also, all those Athletes who officially withdrew after the draw shall be subject to blood testing, should their lot be drawn. Upon Doping Control notification, the Athletes in question must sign a declaration of notification and make their way promptly to the Doping Control Station with their Chaperone. The Chaperones must remain with their Athlete from this time on, the entire time until the start of their Athlete’s blood test.
f) WADA is given authorization for a given number of tests as agreed upon with the IBU following the procedure above.
g) Each Organizing Committee of an event as specified above shall make available to the Medical Delegate and the Medical Assistant one phlebotomists starting at least one day before the first official day of the competition and extending till the end of the last competition.
Nicole Resch – Anti-Doping Administrator
Nicole.resch@ibu.at
+43 (0)662 855050 18
Lucie Rothauer – Result Management and ADAMS
Lucie.rothauer@ibu.at
+43 (0)662 855050 21
