DRUG TESTING

1. Introduction

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) expects to carry out up to 2000 drug tests on elite athletes each year. All drug tests carried out in South Africa are analysed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) accredited laboratory in Bloemfontein .

Who may be tested?
Any participant in any sport may be tested in competition or out-of-competition.
Note: An athlete who has been suspended for having a positive drug test result or for failing to comply with a request to provide a sample for drug testing may be required to do out-of-competition drug tests.

2. Event testing (in-competition testing)
What is event testing?
The SAIDS will carry out drug tests at events including provincial, national or international events, world and national championships.
How are athletes selected for event testing?
Athletes may be selected for event testing in a number of ways, usually prescribed by the different sporting codes, for example:

placing in an event (e.g. first, third),
lane number or player number (in team sports), or
on the basis of two factors (e.g. rowing Fours: 1st place - 3rd seat).
the SAIDS has the right to employ any other selection method it may choose.

The selection process is decided before the start of the event. An SAIDS official will notify the selected athlete that he or she has been selected as soon as practicable after completion of the event.

3. Out-of-competition testing
What is out-of-competition testing?
Out-of-competition testing can take place at any time and anywhere (e.g. after a training session, in the sport's "off season", at home, or while the athlete is abroad). An athlete can be requested to provide a urine sample either with "no notice" or at "short notice".

No notice - an accredited Independent Sampling Officer (ISO) will appear unannounced and require the athlete to provide a sample as soon as possible. The ISO or a chaperone of the same gender as the athlete will remain with the athlete until the sample has been provided.
Short notice - The athlete will be contacted by telephone or letter and requested to attend a drug testing facility for urine sample collection, usually within 24 hours.

The SAIDS will obtain regular and accurate information on athletes who should be subject to out-of-competition testing from each national sports federation. The athletes nominated by national sports federations are expected to be of national or provincial standard, meeting the SAIDS criteria (see Section 1: "Who can be tested?"). Such athletes will be entered onto the Athlete Register.

This Register will record the names, sport(s) and contact details of all athletes who are eligible to be tested in the out-of-competition testing programme.Every six months each national sports federation will be required to update its out-of-competition listing (to add new names to the Register, delete retired competitors and athletes who no longer meet the SAIDS criteria, and update all competitors' addresses, telephone and fax contact details).The fact that an athlete is not listed in the Register will not preclude the athlete from being tested.

How are athletes selected for out-of-competition testing?
Selection of athletes for out-of-competition testing is usually based on a ranking system that includes factors such as:

their sport,
their ranking within the sport, and
the date that they were last tested.

This ranking system ensures as far as possible that similarly ranked athletes in the same sport are tested consistently.

How are athletes notified of an out-of-competition test?
Athletes are told that they have been selected for a drug test by telephone, registered letter or in person by an ISO.

What substances are tested for in out-of-competition testing?
Out-of-competition tests usually screen only for anabolic agents, diuretics, and peptide hormones, mimetics and their analogues. This may vary from sport to sport. Pharmacological, physical or chemical manipulation is also prohibited. Athletes should check with their national sports federations to find out what substances are tested for out-of-competition in a particular sport.

4. Sample collection and analysis procedures

Introduction
The complete drug testing process is divided into two parts:

sample collection procedure; and
analysis procedure.

The SAIDS carries out the first part, the collection of urine samples. The samples are then sent to the IOC accredited Laboratory in Bloemfontein for the second part, the analysis of the samples.
Athletes may be tested for drugs at any time, either on the day of competition, or out-of-competition. All testing shall take place at short notice or without notice.

Sample collection procedure during event (in-competition) testing

13 STEPS TO SAMPLE COLLECTION

1. Notification of the athleteAn Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) official will:

identify himself and notify you in writing that you have been selected for a drug test,
ask you to sign the notification form and give you a copy,
ask you not to void urine before you reach the Doping Control Station.

An official, usually a chaperone, will stay with you until you report to the Doping Control Station.
Note: Failure to comply with a request to provide a sample may result in a sanction from your national sports federation equivalent to that imposed for a positive test result.

Your rights:
While remaining in full view of the SAIDS official, you are entitled to:

have a sports federation representative of your choice (and an interpreter when appropriate) with you during the sample collection process, except while passing the sample,
take any necessary medication or food you need (but no banned substances),
attend a victory ceremony,
meet media commitments,
compete in further events,
finish the training session,
warm-down,
be told about the sample collection and analysis procedures, and
be told that sanctions may be applied for refusing to comply with a request to provide a sample and which organisations will be notified in these circumstances.

2. Reporting for testing
You will be accompanied by a chaperone to the Doping Control Station waiting room. Sealed drinks may be provided to assist you to produce your urine sample. You are entitled to have your representative present as well as an interpreter. The sampling officer will oversee the sample collection procedure and explain each step to you.

3. Selection of sample collection vessel
At least two different sample collection kits are currently in use in South Africa. The kit used depends on the requirements of the national sports federation responsible for the particular event or programme. Irrespective of the sample collection kit used, the urine sample collection procedure remains the same. When you are ready to provide a sample of urine, you will be asked to choose a sample collection vessel from a selection of sealed vessels.

(Should you prefer, you may pass your urine sample directly into the glass sample bottles - see 4. below).

4. Supervision of sample collection
A sampling officer accompanies you to the toilet where you must remove sufficient clothing so that the passing of urine into the collection vessel can be directly observed. The sampling officer must be of the same gender as you. When you have provided the required volume of urine (generally 75ml) you will be required to take your sample directly to the Doping Control administration room. Normally only you should handle the sample.

5. Selecting security containers
In the presence of the sampling officer, you will be asked to select a pair of security containers.

6. Breaking the security seal
You will be invited to break the security seals in the presence of the sampling officer and your representative.

7. Dividing the sample
You will then be asked to divide your sample into the bottles (marked "A" and "B" or similar), putting approximately 2/3 of the sample into bottle "A", and at least 25ml into bottle "B", leaving a few drops in the sample collection vessel.

8. Sealing the bottles in the security containers
Once you have closed the bottles the sampling officer will check that the bottles are tightly sealed before they are returned to their respective security containers. The "A" and "B" security containers must be sealed in your presence. The sampling officer then records the security codes on the sample collection form.

9. Passing an additional sample
If you cannot provide the total volume of urine required on the first attempt, the initial urine sample will be sealed. When the balance of the required urine volume is provided, the combined sample is then divided into bottles "A" and "B" before final resealing.

Note: If you are required to provide an additional sample because your first sample wasinsufficient for testing, you may be asked to sign an Insufficient Sample Form.

Failure to comply with a request to provide an additional sample may result in a sanction from your national sports federation equivalent to that imposed for a positive test result.

10. Checking your sample's condition
The sampling officer may check the acid content (pH) and concentration (specific gravity) of your sample before it is sent to the laboratory. These results show whether the urine falls within the correct ranges for testing. If it does not, you may be asked to provide another sample.

11. Completing and certifying the paperwork
You will be asked to give details of any medication you have taken in the previous seven days. You are strongly advised to mention all medication, including inhalers, vitamins, herbal products and food supplements, that you have used.

During the sample collection procedure, the sampling officer documents information such as security seal numbers and medication taken on the sample collection form. The sampling officer asks you and your representative to check all the information on the sample collection form and to sign the form. Should you be dissatisfied with any aspect of the sample collection procedure, space is provided on the form for you to record your comments. The sampling officer will also check and sign the form in your presence. He will then provide you with a duplicate copy of the completed sample collection form. You have now finished the sample collection procedure, and you and your representative are free to leave the Doping Control Station.

12. Transporting the samples to the laboratory
The samples in their sealed containers are then sent to the IOC-accredited laboratory by secure chain of custody for analysis. The laboratory receives the copy of the sample collection form which details only information about the urine sample, security seal numbers and medication. Your name, address and telephone number etc. will not be sent to the laboratory - no information is provided which might allow you to be identified.

13. Laboratory analysis
The laboratory will then analyse your "A" sample for the presence of prohibited drugs or doping methods. If the "A" sample gives a negative result, this will be reported to the SAIDS who will notify your sports federation and your "B" sample will be destroyed. This report is usually available within 7 days of the sample collection. If required, results can be made available for major competitions in a shorter period of time.

If your "A" sample is positive, the laboratory will immediately notify the SAIDS who in turn must immediately notify the relevant sports federation. The sports federation will then notify you.

In the case of a positive test, the procedure followed may vary from sports code to sports code:

You are entitled to ask the laboratory to analyse your "B" sample, and have the right to observe the unsealing and analysis of the "B" sample (or to have your representative do so on your behalf) within a specified time.
The laboratory will forward the findings directly to the SAIDS who will in turn advise the relevant sports federation of the findings. The sports federation will then to act in terms of its rules.

These procedures have been developed to ensure security and fairness in drug testing.

Sample collection procedure for out-of-competition testing
Most procedures for out-of-competition sample collection are identical to what has been described above. The differences are that

you can be tested at any place and any time,
most drug testing will be without warning,
the ISO will carry identification and a letter of authority,
the urine sample may be collected under different circumstances but with maximum privacy.

Sample collection for athletes with disabilities
The method of collecting a urine sample may vary, depending on the disability of the athlete. The SAIDS is aware of the special needs of athletes with disabilities and will make sure that drug-testing procedures meet these needs. Most amputee athletes will be able to be tested according to the procedures set out in this document. However, some upper limb amputees may have difficulty pouring the sample, etc. and may need the help of their representative.Athletes with external collecting systems (e.g. leg bags) will need to discard any urine that is already in the external collecting system. Athletes may ask their representatives to help.
For more information, please contact your national sports federation or the SAIDS.

5. Questions often asked by athletes about drug testing
Q. Is it a good idea for a representative to come with me to the sample collection procedure?
A. Yes, to make sure that the sample collection procedure is correct. Both you and your representative should be happy with the sample collection procedure when you sign the drug testing form. If you are not happy with the way the sample was collected, you should complete the test, note your concerns on the form and write to the SAIDS to explain your concerns.

Q. What if I cannot give enough urine for the test?
A. You have as long as it takes to give the required amount of urine. An SAIDS official will wait until enough urine is provided. You are permitted to have extra drinks. All drinks should be in sealed containers to make sure that nothing is added to them.

Note: It is recommended that you do not have drinks with caffeine in them (e.g. cola drinks).

Q. What if I can't go to an out-of-competition drug test on the day SAIDS asks me to?
A. You will need to have a very good reason and to get SAIDS's permission to delay the test beyond 24 hours. If you have a good reason for not being able to go to an out-of-competition drug test, SAIDS may arrange another time for you to do the test.

Note: If you just do not turn up, you will be considered to have failed to comply .

Q. How long do drugs stay in my system?
A. If you are using any of the substances that are permitted out-of-competition but not during events, you should ensure that you leave enough time for the drug to clear from your system.
The length of time drugs stay in a person's body, depends on the type of drug, the person's body, how much of the drug is taken and how long the person has been taking the drug,. It varies for each person. Some drugs may leave the body in five days, others (e.g. marijuana) can take months.

Q. How long does it take to get the results of my test?
A. It may take up to 7 days to get the results of your test.

6. Sanctions
The SAIDS does not decide on the penalties for an athlete who returns a positive drug test result or refuses to do a test.
Sanctions or penalties are decided and given out by the athlete's national (or international) sports federation. The sanctions and penalties should be included in all national sports federation's doping policies.
Bans for a first positive drug test result can vary from a warning to a two-year suspension. Many national sports federations ban athletes for life if they return a second positive drug test result.

Your rights
Before any penalty or sanction is given, you should be:

told about the charge against you,
given the chance to present your case against the charge, and
given a hearing by an unbiased panel of people chosen by your national sports federation.

Note: It is important to find out from your national sports federation what the penalty is for a positive drug test result.

7. Appeals
You have a right to appeal against this decision to the SAIDS Appeals Board.