The procedures for blood testing follow the same principles as for urine testing. Blood testing may take place both in-competition and out-of-competition.

NOTE:
Only a person trained in the collection of blood will be able to perform the blood collection procedure. These authorised individuals are referred to as Blood Collection Officials (BCOs).

1. Notification of selection for Doping Control

In the UK, if you are selected for doping control at an event or an Out-of-Competition location, you will be notified by a UK Sport Blood Collection Official (BCO) or Chaperone using an official Sample Collection Form. Once you are selected for a test:

• You are permitted to nominate a representative to be present throughout the entire blood testing procedure – for In-competition and Out-of-Competition tests
  
  
• You will be informed by the BCO or Chaperone if you are also required to provide a urine sample in the same testing session. If you are, the procedures for the collection of urine are the same as those outlined previously.
  
  
• You will have the same rights and responsibilities as you have for urine testing.

02 Reporting for testing

You are required to report to the Doping Control Station as soon as possible and no later than one-hour after notification.

You should stay in full view of the BCO or Chaperone until the sample has been collected and sealed.

03 Selecting a collection vessel

You will be asked to select one sealed sample collection kit from a choice of kits and you can ask your representative to help you choose a sample collection kit.

The sample collection kit should be kept in sight of the BCO and yourself (or your representative) at all times throughout the entire doping control procedure.

04 Providing a blood sample under supervision

You must remove sufficient clothing to permit the BCO to apply a tourniquet to your arm. No attempt will be made to take blood from other areas of your body.

The BCO shall clean the skin with a sterile wipe or swab before applying a tourniquet to your arm. The BCO shall unseal the hypodermic needle and withdraw blood to fill the required number of tubes.

In any one session, no more than three venipuncture attempts (the site where blood can be successfully obtained) will be made.

If the required amount of blood cannot be provided after all procedures have been followed, the test shall be concluded and the BCO shall note this on the Sample Collection Form.

NOTE:
There is a slight possibility that a small amount of blood may leak from the venipuncture site during or after sample collection. This is not unusual and therefore the athlete or athlete representative should not be alarmed by this.

05 Sealing the sample

Once the needle is removed, the sample collection tubes will seal automatically (they are self-sealing secure containers). Once sealed, you and the BCO should check there is no leakage from the container.

The sealed tubes will be placed into tamper proof, secure transport containers and sealed. This should be done in the presence of the athlete (or where appropriate, the presence of the athlete representative).

06 Recording and certifying the information

The BCO will record the container numbers on the Sample Collection Form.

You will be invited to declare on the Sample Collection Form any medication, substances or supplements you have taken within the past 7 days.

Once you are satisfied that the information is accurate you should sign the Sample Collection Form.

The BCO will then check and sign the form and will then give you a copy which you should keep for your records.

07 Storing the blood sample

The sealed blood sample shall be kept in the Doping Control Station, at a cool but not freezing temperature, prior to dispatching the sample for analysis to a WADA Accredited Laboratory.

Wherever possible, the BCO will dispatch the sample immediately to the WADA Accredited Laboratory.

Transferring urine and blood samples to a WADA Accredited Laboratory

Once the samples are placed in a security sealed transit bag they are sent to a WADA Accredited Laboratory via a secure chain of custody for analysis. A secure chain of custody ensures that every step of the process is fully documented and only those authorised to handle the sample do so.

Along with the sample, the laboratory receives a copy of the Sample Collection Form that contains information only relevant to the analysis. NO other information is provided that might allow the athlete to be identified. 

You should check that your name is not on any documentation intended for the laboratory.