On completion of the doping control procedure, the A and B sample bottles and doping control paperwork will be sent via a secure chain of custody to a WADA Accredited Laboratory.

The A-sample is then analysed, while the B-sample is securely stored, in case of an Adverse Analytical Finding in the A-sample.

There are two possible scenarios that will follow sample analysis; a negative result may be reported or an Adverse Analytical Finding may be reported.

A negative result is reported

The negative test result will be reported to the athlete either by their National Governing Body (NGB) or International Federation (IF).

If you have not been notified of your test results within 28 working days of submitting to the test, we recommend you contact your NGB Results Officer to find out if the result has been received.

Note:
Many IFs do not always advise athletes of negatives tests.

An Adverse Analytical Finding is reported

The process for dealing with an Adverse Analytical Finding is conducted in three stages:

i) Review

ii) Hearing

iii) Appeal

i) Review

If an Adverse Analytical Finding is reported, UK Sport will undertake an initial review to determine whether an applicable TUE has been granted or if there was any apparent departure from the International Standards for Testing and the International Standard for Laboratories that may have undermined the validity of the result.

If it is determined from this review that there is a ‘Case to Answer’, the athlete will be notified of the result by their NGB or IF and, depending on the rules of the relevant sport, an athlete may then be provisionally suspended.

An athlete has the right to request the analysis of the B-Sample and to witness, or nominate a representative to witness, the B-Sample opening and analysis. The B-sample should be analysed within 30 days of the A-sample result being reported to the athlete. The sample will normally be analysed at the same laboratory as the A sample.

If an athlete does not request the B-sample analysis, this right may be deemed waived.

ii) Hearing

An athlete has the right to a fair hearing. The hearing provides an athlete with the opportunity to present their case to a disciplinary panel with the aim of providing a rationale for the Adverse Analytical Finding. More information about the hearing and the reduction or elimination of sanctions can be found in UK Sport’s National Anti-Doping Policy and Model Rules on our website: "www.100percentme.co.uk

iii) Appeal

For an appeal involving an International-Level Athlete, the appeal should be made to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). For all other athletes the appeal should be made to an independent and impartial body at the National level.

As with the hearing process, the appeal must be conducted fairly and on a timely basis.  

Results of your tests for Major Events

During a pre-event testing programme, test results will usually be reported to the National Governing Gody (NGB) or International Federation (IF) within a standard (15) working day timescale, apart from the weeks close to the start of the Event, where turnaround times will shorten.

TIP:
Contact you NGB and IF to find out the name of the results officer of your sport and actively seek to discover the results of any test taken. You should never assume that failing to receive the result means that your test has been returned negative.