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Dear friends,
The last time I was involved in a doping control at an EAA event was in 2002, as part of my responsibilities as EAA Representative at an EAA permit meeting. For comparison I attach the part of my report concerning the doping control.
Last weekend I was for the first time acting as DCD at the E-cup in NN, and with four years having elapsed, this obviously caused me to take an updated look at the rules and the practices applied, which then leads to the following comments and observations that I would like to share with you, also with reference to point 3 on the agenda, and I hope it will be possible to discus the points raised by me here, and in my report from NN which I attach also.
IAAF Procedural Guidelines for Doping Control
In-competition testing
3.2
IAAF approved sealing equipment is mentioned here
- which equipment?
3.12 (B)
Athletes have no ID-cards, and also they seldom have personal papers with them in the stadium - for obvious reasons
- I understand that this has been discussed at the last ADWG meeting.
3.13
Because of language problems this information is often not provided or understood
- the draft for Doping Control Chaperone Script, which I have received with the meeting material, is definitely a step in the right direction, but when you have athletes and officials from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia (who were all present in NN) and other countries where knowledge of western languages is scarce, this does not solve the problem, which is also very much present during the whole doping control procedure and further enhanced when the athletes are also being tested for the first time ever.
The language problems are, in my opinion, one of the weak points when trying to ensure the integrity and safety of the athletes, and the Federations should be encouraged to inform their international athletes much better about doping control procedures, but also to let interpreters accompany their athletes when abroad.
3.19
What is the reason for the fact that this rule seems to go against all the other rules in which is stated that the athlete must be chaperoned at all times.
3.26
"The DCO/chaperone shall witness the sample leaving the athletes body"
This is somewhat open for interpretation - at least by the many different people around the world who shall implement it.
If it is meant - as I see it - that the DCO shall see the urine literally as it appears from inside the body, I do think that more detailed instructions are needed, for instance as to how to position the athlete and the DCO in the toilet.
I doubt that this is completely adhered to generally, partly because of lack of detailed information, partly because of shyness on the part of the DCO and of the athlete, and partly because most toilets in stadiums are quite small. It must be realised that even in a medical environment it is very seldom that one has to actually watch closely when a person/patient is urinating.
3.32
The minimum volume in "B" is stated as 30 ml, however on the corresponding bottle in a Versapak kit is stated 25 ml.
3.34
There is no information as to the the allowed ph-values (can be found on the WADA website).
3.36
"Partial sample container"
When and how are such containers provided. Should not an adequate number accompany a number of sampling kits - none available in NN.
3.75
"A transportation system shall be used that ensures that the samples are transported to the laboratory in a manner that protects their integrity, identity and security".
This appears to be very obvious, but what is actually required?
3.76
"Sealed samples shall be transported using the authorised transport method"
This also seems very obvious, but where can you find information about the authorised method?
Guidelines for the EAA Doping Control Delegate
Here is stated that a "copy of the chain of custody form" is to be delivered to EAA
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however, when requesting the form at the EAA office, I was informed that it had not arrived from IAAF.
Guidelines for the IAAF Anti-Doping Delegate
E.1
Here is stated that the control forms must be send under confidential cover (whatever that means specifically)
- this is not mentioned in "Guidelines" - 3.71
Checklist for Chaperones
It should perhaps be mentioned that there must be chaperones of both genders.
Generally
I have heard of an incident at an EAA Meeting where an athlete could not be tested in connection with achieving a national record, because he could not pay for it on the spot.
Athletes generally don´t bring money or credit cards to the stadium - how can such situations be avoided.
I look forward to see you in Malaga.
Kind regards,
Georg
DANISH ATHLETICS FEDERATION
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Georg Facius
Chairman
EXCERPTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING WHERE THE ABOVE POINTS WERE PRESENTED:
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