UK Sport Athlete Whereabouts: Policy, Challenges and Key Recommendations Presented by: John Scott Di

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UK SportAthlete WhereaboutsPolicy,
Challenges and Key RecommendationsPresented
byJohn ScottDirectorDrug-Free Sport
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Presentation Outline
To highlight the key policies of UK Sport
underpinning its Athlete Whereabouts System (AWS)
To present the challenges facing UK Sport in
delivering an athlete-centred whereabouts system
To highlight a number of key recommendations
considered by UK Sport to develop its AWS and
to offer these recommendations to the
Association of National Anti- Doping
Organisations for consideration
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UK Sport Missed Tests 2005/6 Report (July 1st
September 30th )Initial Stages
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This reflects Quarter Two 2005 under the new UK
Sport Athlete Whereabouts rules.
181
16
90
90
OOCT Tests
Missed Tests
Number Of Sports
Strike 1
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UK SportAnti-Doping Forumon Athlete Whereabouts

• October 27th London
• Representatives from sport including athlete
  support personnel, coaches, athletes, Drug
  Control Officers and UK Sport Staff
• Purpose To discuss the UK interpretation of the
  provision of athlete whereabouts and the
  missed test policy and review UK policy.
  

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UK Sport Policy Statement

• UK Sport Athlete Whereabouts policy and
  procedure is set as guidelines in the National
  Governing Body (NGB) Anti-Doping Agreement and
  Model Rules

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Challenges

• NGBs follow International Federation (IF)
  athlete whereabouts rules which may differ from
  UK Sport rules leading to inconsistencies
  between sports
• UK Sport defines missed test differently from
  another country leading to confusion for UK
  athletes competing and tested abroad and a sense
  of potentially being disadvantaged to
  competitors from other countries

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Key Recommendations

• 1 Clear mandatory article(s) from WADA regarding
  provision of whereabouts details to ensure global
  harmonisation.
• 2 Robust system of monitoring International
  Federations/NADOs by WADA regarding compliance
  with a mandatory athlete whereabouts system and
  where appropriate, impose a rigorous
  international education programme
• 3 For WADA to provide an agreed and binding
  definition of a missed test

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UK Sport Policy Statement

• No advance notice out of competition testing is
  conducted with absolutely no notice for the
  athlete.
• Telephones are not used to notify athletes.

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Challenges

• Any form of notice and athlete becomes less
  responsible for the information they provide
• Contradicts the definition of no notice testing
  and potentially compromises the quality and
  veracity of the testing process
• Notice provides the opportunity for athlete to
  manipulate the sample

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Key Recommendations

• 4. A mandatory article from WADA that clearly
  defines no advance notice testing that reflects
  the known science
• 5. The principle of athlete responsibility must
  be central to no notice testing and therefore the
  use of telephones or any other communication
  devices should not be permitted

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UK Sport Policy Statement

• Athletes should provide a minimum of 1 hour 5
  days of the week and the 2 days not requiring
  details should not be consecutive.

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Challenges

• 2 consecutive days without whereabouts may permit
  flushing out of prohibited substances
• Providing details for 1 hour on 7 days of the
  week may be impractical for some athletes and
  lacks flexibility

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Key Recommendations

• For WADA to provide a mandatory article based on
  a principled approach of one universal and
  consistent system that provides deterrence and
  has the support of the athlete community
• One set of procedures not open to interpretation
  but easy for athletes to update

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UK Sport Policy Statement

• DCO only visit one location for one hour at the
  time and venue stated by the athlete

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Challenges

• Logistically and financially difficult for Drug
  Control Officer (DCO) to attend multiple
  locations
• Visiting multiple locations creates a more
  complex system open to more interpretation and
  breakdown
• Devalues athletes responsibility if we allow
  multiple venues and times for DCOs to find the
  athlete
• International Federations have different rules
• Guaranteeing one location a day for one hour may
  be difficult, particularly for those athletes
  with jobs

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Key Recommendations

• 7. For WADA to provide mandatory articles based
  on a principled approach on the duration a drug
  testing officer attends a whereabouts venue the
  time the DCO waits should be within reasonable
  parameters and directly relate to the information
  you ask the athlete to provide
• 8 For WADA to facilitate a robust education
  programme that addresses the practical and
  technical issues relating to athlete whereabouts
  systems and policies

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UK Sport Policy Statement

• UK Sport recommend to NGBs that whereabouts
  strikes and missed test strikes should be
  combined any 3 over an 18 month period an
  Anti Doping Rule Violation

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Challenges

• International Federations having different
  policies leading to confusion and multiple,
  concurrent infractions
• 3 strikes over 18 months is not understood is
  18 months an effective timeframe for missed
  tests?

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Key Recommendations

• 9. For WADA to research and provide mandatory
  articles regarding an effective timeframe for
  three missed tests and/or whereabout violations
  to equal an anti-doping violation

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Athlete Perspective

• I just want to know that the other athletes I
  compete against have to go through the same
  procedures I have to. I dont mind providing my
  whereabouts details and I know it is my
  responsibility. Just make it simple and easy to
  do!
• Donna Frazer, UK Olympic Athlete

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Conclusion Key Messages

• For WADA to provide mandatory articles regarding
  athlete whereabouts based on four themes
• Clear, unambiguous definition of missed test
• No advance notice testing to be defined based on
  scientific evidence
• Simple and effective system that ensures athlete
  responsibility and credibility of testing system
• Harmonisation of education, policies and
  communication between national and international
  sport organisations.

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• Thank you