Testing

What is a doping control?
A doping control consists of the collection of a urine and/or blood sample from an Athlete to detect any prohibited substances.
When a doping control can be conducted?
NADO Italia performs In Competition (IC) and Out of Competition (OoC) controls. “In Competition" is the time period from 11:59 p.m. of the day previous to a competition in which the Athlete is likely to participate till the end of the Athlete's biological sampling. “Out of Competition" is any time period other than "In Competition".
Who can be tested?
Any Athlete of international, national, and recreational level, as defined in the Technical Document for Testing and Investigations (TD_TI).
What is the selection criteria for Athletes to be tested?
Doping controls can be carried out according to a targeted selection or a random selection, in accordance with the criteria established by the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI).
How many doping controls can an athlete undergo in a year?
There is no limit to the number of doping controls an Athlete may be subjected to, whether In Competition or Out of Competition.
Where can doping controls take place?
Doping controls can be carried out anywhere and at any time.
Can an Athlete refuse to undergo a doping control?
Refusing or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification after notification is an anti-doping rule violation according to the WADA Code.
Who is the competent authority for the collection of biological samples?
It is the organization responsible for the collection of biological samples (Sample Collection Authority- SCA) acting in accordance with the requirements of the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI).
Who is authorized to collect biological samples?
The Doping Control Officer (DCO) is the official authorized, by the Sample Collection Authority, to collect a urine sample from an Athlete. The Blood Control Officer (BCO) is the official authorized by the Sample Collection Authority to collect a blood sample from an Athlete.
Is the Athlete selected for the doping control notified in advance by the SCA staff collecting the sample?
All doping controls are conducted without prior notice.
How is the Athlete's biological sampling session organized?
The sampling session includes: preparation for the collection of the biological sample, collection of the biological sample, taking all necessary measures to ensure its safety and the documentation of the collection of the biological sample (Art. 11.2 TD_TI).
Who can attend the sampling session besides the Athlete and the DCO/BCO?
The Chaperone, i.e. an official authorized by the Sample Collection Authority to carry out certain tasks, may attend. In the case of an Athlete who is a minor and/or has a disability, the Athlete may request the presence of his own representative. The Anti-Doping Detective Inspectors (ADDIs), who are Carabinieri Department for Health Protection accredited by NADO Italia and authorized to take part in anti-doping activities, may also be present.
Can the Athlete selected for the doping control choose the sampling kit equipment?
The Athlete is entitled to choose between several sealed kits made available to him/her.
What happens if an Athlete provides an insufficient volume of urine?
The incomplete sample is sealed and other samples will be collected to reach the required quantity. The Athlete shall remain under the supervision of the sample collectors for as long as necessary.
Can the biological sample collected be associated with the Athlete during transport and/or during the analysis?
All documentation attached to the biological sample is anonymous, so it is not possible to trace the identity of the Athlete.
Where are the collected biological samples analyzed and stored?
In the WADA-accredited laboratories.
Is the doping control procedure the same for Athletes with and without impairments?
Athletes with impairments are subject to doping controls with variations to the procedure in accordance with specific requirements.