WADA Strategic Testing Expert Advisory Group discusses advances in remote sample collection

Agency publishes Summary of Outcomes and Frequently Asked Questions regarding testing of transgender and gender diverse athletes

On 27 April 2022, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Strategic Testing Expert Advisory Group  (EG) held a virtual meeting that focused on the following topics:

1. A review of a new draft Annex of the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI) on the Collection of Urine Samples in a Virtual Environment During a Pandemic using a hybrid (partially virtual) system;
2. An update on the Guidelines for Sample Collection Procedures During a Pandemic which include the addition of new sample collection procedures linked to the new draft Annex of the ISTI;
3. Additional measures to confirm the identification of athletes and the storage of samples for the purpose of DNA analysis to prevent and/or detect doppelgangers; and
4. A review of a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for testing of transgender and gender-diverse athletes for the purposes of anti-doping.

As a result of points 1 and 2 above, in June 2022, WADA will circulate the proposed ISTI Annex on the Collection of Urine Samples in a Virtual Environment During a Pandemic to Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) and other stakeholders for consultation; and, will include parts of the relevant guidelines to provide additional clarification to the Annex of the ISTI.

As a result of point 3, the EG recommended the creation of a functionality within WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration & Management System  (ADAMS) that will clearly identify samples that are stored long-term (beyond the required initial three months) by an ADO. Discussions on the issue of additional measures for the identification of athletes at the point of sample collection and the use of samples for DNA analysis will continue at the next EG meeting planned for August 2022.

In the interest of providing further insight to stakeholders regarding the matters covered during these meetings, we are also pleased to share a more complete Summary of Outcomes.

The original press release can be found here : https://www.wada-ama.org/en/news/wada-strategic-testing-expert-advisory-group-discusses-advances-remote-sample-collection

Thursday, 02 June 2022

• Anti-Doping World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)