Montreal, October 10, 2013

Dear colleagues,

In light of the forthcoming 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games to be held in February 2014, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) wish to bring to your attention a number of matters related to doping control in order to strengthen anti-doping efforts prior to and during these Games.

Further to the IOC correspondence sent on July 29 to all relevant organizations outlining the applicable anti-doping rules for the Games, this letter addresses in more detail the steps International Sport Federations and National Anti-Doping Agencies are encouraged to take in order for pre-Olympic Games anti-doping initiatives to be as effective as possible.

1. Testing

WADA and the IOC wish to reinforce the importance of intelligent and intensive testing on prospective athletes between now and the Games. Whilst such pre-Games testing will already be well underway, all National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), Regional Anti-Doping Organizations (RADOs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and Winter Sport Olympic International Federations (IFs) are reminded of the importance of out-of-competition testing during this period.

The effective efforts of Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) between now and the Games will preclude “cheating athletes” from participating and maximize the chances of clean Games. To this end, WADA and the IOC strongly encourage all relevant ADOs to make concerted efforts to frequently test the right athletes at the right time(s).

By utilizing available intelligence and information, including assessment of whereabouts and testing information, as well as performance histories, ADOs should coordinate their efforts at the national and international level to ensure that all prospective athletes are subject to the appropriate level of education and testing prior to their arrival in Sochi. WADA is at the disposal of all ADOs seeking guidance in this regard, and continues to facilitate the exchange of pertinent anti-doping information to support these efforts via ADAMS.

In the interests of test coordination, to avoid duplication and to enable the IOC to identify any gaps in testing leading up to the games, we ask you to please report all completed tests in ADAMS in accordance with World Anti-Doping Code Article 14.5. This will ensure that the IOC can implement a program during the Period of the Olympic Games (from 30 January – 23 February 2014) with the knowledge of the level of testing that each athlete has been subject to prior to the Games.

2. Athlete Whereabouts Information

In addition to access to existing whereabouts information for RTP athlete, the IOC requires that all NOCs provide location information for all their athletes for the Period of the Olympic Games (30 January 2014 until and including 23 February 2014).  Information, such as training camps, travel schedules and accommodation arrangements for the Games are of paramount importance to enable the location of athletes for testing in the lead-up to and during the Olympic Games period. More detailed information on this requirement (as well as the applicable IOC Rules) has been circulated to all NOCs and NADOs and can be found at the following links for more information

Additionally, all NADOs and IFs are encouraged to expand their Registered Testing Pools for the first quarter of 2014 to include those potential participating athletes at the highest risk for doping in order to ensure that detailed whereabouts information is available to all authorized testing agencies including the IOC and WADA.

3. Results Management

The IOC requests that all outstanding results management for athletes participating in the Games be resolved prior to an athlete’s arrival in Sochi. For tests conducted in January and February, it is advisable to request an expedited analysis from the relevant WADA accredited laboratory to ensure proper resolution of any potential results management procedures before the athletes arrive in Sochi and/or participate in the Games.

4. Sharing of Intelligence

WADA and the IOC encourage your input as to athletes who might be targeted for testing under the IOC testing plan prior to or during competition or on any other person or matter that may be of relevance in the context of the fight against doping. Any intelligence on specific athletes or other persons, input on location information for teams, nations and specific athletes who may be preparing for the Games in or outside of Russia would be welcome in order to achieve an effective IOC anti-doping program.

We thank you in advance for your cooperation. Should you have any question in relation to the above, please do not hesitate to contact WADA or the IOC via Sochi@wada-ama.org

Sincerely,

                                  
Rune Andersen                                                             Dr. Richard Budgett
Director, Standards and Harmonization                           Medical Director
World Anti-Doping Agency                                             International Olympic Committee