SAMPLE/SPECIMEN COLLECTION PROCEDURES

Collection of Urine Samples at FINA Competitions:

Each BSF Competitor asked to provide a Sample must also provide additional information on a Doping Control form generated by FINA. The Sample collection official will enter the Competitor’s name, country, code number and the event number on the form, and any medication taken by the Competitor which:

is on the Prohibited List of substances and methods [see DC 4.1 or Paragraph 3.1 above], but permitted under certain circumstances specified in the Prohibited List; or

was previously approved for legitimate medical purposes [see DC 4.4 or Paragraph 3.4 above].

The Competitor must declare any medication and nutritional supplements that he or she has used in the previous three (3) days. The form must state the names of the persons present at the Doping Control station involved with obtaining the Sample, including the Doping Control Commission and the head of the station. They must record any irregularities on the form. The form consists of four (4) copies for distribution as follows:

(a)   A copy retained by the FINA representative;

(b)   A copy for the Competitor;

(c)   A special copy sent to the laboratory conducting the analysis. The laboratory’s copy should not contain any information that can identify the Competitor providing the Sample;

(d)   An extra copy, for distribution as FINA deems appropriate.

The Competitor selects a collection vessel from at least 3 of such vessels. He or she should visually check that it is empty and clean, and then commence providing a minimum of 75 ml of urine under the direct supervision of, and within the view of, a Sampling Agent (SA). The SA and the Competitor must be of the same gender. To ensure authenticity of the Sample, the SA is authorised to request the Competitor to disrobe sufficiently so that the SA can confirm that the Competitor is producing the urine. This usually involves the Competitor having to pull his or her shirt up to mid-torso, rolling long sleeves above the elbow and pulling trousers/shorts/swimsuit down to mid-thigh. No one other than the Competitor and SA should be present when the urine is collected. The SA may do the blood sampling before, after or instead of a urine Sample [see DC 5.5.3 and Paragraph 6.5.3.3 below].

The Competitor must remain in the Doping Control station until he or she has passed an adequate quantity of urine. If the Competitor is unable to provide the required amount, he or she must seal the urine collected in a container and the seal broken when the Competitor is ready to provide more urine. The Competitor retains custody of the sealed container while waiting to provide more urine.

When the Competitor has provided at least 75 ml of urine, he or she then selects [from at least 3 of such kits] a urine control kit containing two containers for Samples [A and B]. The Competitor must check to ensure the containers are empty and clean.

The Competitor, or his or her representative, must pour approximately two-thirds of the urine from the collection vessel into an A bottle and one-third into a B bottle that they can seal according to the International Standard for Testing. A few drops of urine should remain in the collection vessel for the measurement of acidity and specific gravity. The Competitor then closes both bottles and confirms that they do not leak. The Competitor should also confirm that both containers have the same number code. The SA may, with the Competitor’s permission, help the Competitor with these procedures [see DC 5.5.1.5]. The Competitor must also confirm at each step in the Doping Control procedure that each bottle has the same code.

By signing the FINA Doping Control form [see DC 5.5.1.1 and Paragraph 6.5.1.1 above], the Competitor certifies that he or she has completed the entire Doping Control procedure according to the steps outlined above. The Competitor must also record any irregularities or procedural deviations that he or she observes on the form. The Competitor’s accredited representative (if present), the SA, Doping Control Commission member(s) or station staff must record any irregularities or procedural deviations that they observe on the FINA form. The SA who witnessed the Sample procedure and the Competitor’s accredited representative (if present) must also sign the FINA form.

Collection of urine Samples at unannounced Testing:

If a BSF Competitor is selected for unannounced Doping Control, the SA may make an appointment to meet the Competitor, or he or she may arrive unannounced at the Competitor's training facility, training camp, home, apartment or any other place where the Competitor is likely to be found. The SA will show proof of identity and provide a copy of their letter of appointment from FINA. The SA will also require proof of the Competitor’s identity. The actual collection of the Sample will follow the FINA Competitions Sample collection procedures outlined above as closely as circumstances allow [see DC 5.5.1 or Paragraph 6.5.1 above].

The SA will simultaneously arrange for Sample collection or when possible after the SA has made the appointment with the Competitor. It is the Competitor's responsibility to check the arranged date, time and precise location of the meeting.

Where the SA arrives unannounced, he or she must give the Competitor a reasonable time to complete any reasonable activity in which the Competitor is engaged, under the observation of the SA, but Testing should commence shortly afterwards.

Each BSF Competitor selected for unannounced Testing must complete the FINA Doping Control form [see DC 5.5.1.1 and Paragraph 6.5.1.1 above].

If the Competitor refuses to provide a urine Sample, the SA will note this on the FINA Doping Control form, sign his/her name on the form and ask the Competitor to sign the form. The SA must also note any other irregularities in the Doping Control process on the form.

The nature of unannounced, Out-of-Competition Doping Control makes it desirable that the SA gives a Competitor little or no prior warning. The SA will try to collect the Sample speedily and efficiently, with the minimum of disruption to a Competitor's training, social or work arrangements. However, if there is any disruption to a Competitor’s arrangements, he or she cannot litigate or take other action for compensation because of the inconvenience.

Blood Sample collection procedure — In-Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing:

Each BSF Competitor selected to provide a blood Sample must also provide the personal information required to complete the FINA Doping Control form [see DC 5.5.1.1 and Paragraph 6.5.1.1 above].

The SA will not take Blood Samples until the Competitor has completed all scheduled Events on the day of Testing.

The SA may do the blood sampling before, after or instead of a urine Sample. If the SA does not successfully achieve venipuncture after two attempts, he or she will not attempt further blood sampling efforts for the next 24 hours. The SA will not require a Competitor to provide more than two blood Samples in a 48-hour period. The total amount of blood withdrawn in this period will not exceed 20 mls. Only physicians or other health care professionals trained and experienced in the collection of blood Samples will take a Competitor’s Blood Sample. WADA-accredited laboratories analyse blood only to detect the use of EPO, GH or other Prohibited Substances or Methods.

A BSF Competitor must declare the following on the Sample collection form [see DC 5.5.1.1 or Paragraph 6.5.1.1 above]:

the use of any medications that may affect the venipuncture procedure, particularly those that affect clotting (e.g., aspirin, warfarin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents);

any other medications or nutritional supplements that he or she has used in the previous three (3) days;

any bleeding disorder, and

any blood or blood product transfusions that the Competitor received in the preceding six months and the reason for the transfusion.

The Competitor selects one Blood Collection Kit; opens it; inspects the contents; and places these on a table in front of him/her. The SA must explain the blood sampling procedure to the Competitor. The SA then asks the Competitor to sit or lie down during the Sample taking. The SA will clean the Competitor’s skin with a disinfectant; apply a tourniquet; and, under sterile conditions using new, single-use blood collection equipment, withdraw approximately 12 ml of the Competitor’s blood. The blood and/or serum will then be prepared and stored appropriately. There are no separate A and B bottles for blood.

The SA must check that the code numbers on the Venipuncture tubes and Security Containers correspond and he or she records the control numbers on the Sample collection forms [see DC 5.5.1.1 or Paragraph 6.5.1.1 above]. The Competitor should confirm that the code numbers correspond and documented correctly.

The Blood Serum Tube may require centrifugation before sealing the Tube in a security container. The Competitor should observe the SA place the Blood Tubes in the designated security containers and the sealing of such containers. By signing the Sample collection form [see DC 5.5.1.1 or Paragraph 6.5.1.1 above], the Competitor certifies that the entire blood sampling process was completed in substantial compliance with the procedures outlined above. The Competitor must also record any irregularities or procedural deviations that he or she observes on the form. The Competitor’s accredited representative (if present), the SA, Doping Control Commission member(s) or station staff must also record any irregularities or procedural deviations observed by them on the form. The SA who witnessed the Sample procedure and the Competitor’s accredited representative (if present) must also sign the form. The SA must give a copy of the form to the Competitor.

If a BSF Competitor refuses to provide a blood Sample, the SA will note this on the Doping Control form, sign his name on the form and ask the Competitor to sign the form.

FINA may provide for additional blood collection procedures in its Procedural Guidelines for Blood Testing as modified from time to time by the Doping Control Review Board and approved by the FINA Executive.

COORDINATION OF TESTING:

To avoid unnecessary duplication in Testing, FINA, the BOA, the BSF and other Member Federations will promptly report completed tests to the WADA clearinghouse.

RETIREMENT AND RETURN TO COMPETITION:

A BSF Competitor included in FINA’s Registered Testing Pool remains subject to the Anti-Doping Rules, including the requirement to be available for unannounced Testing, until that Competitor gives FINA notice that he or she has retired.

A BSF Competitor who gives FINA notice of retirement cannot resume competing unless he or she notifies FINA at least nine (9) months before he or she expects to return to Competition and, during that period, is always available for unannounced Out-of-Competition Testing before actual return to Competition.

Download FINA's Competitor Retirement Form in PDF format (13kb)

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