Test Distribution Planning
Whom does USADA test?
The United States Olympic Committee, (USOC) National Governing Bodies, (NGBs) and the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) Code have authorized USADA to test any athlete who:
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Is being tested by USADA under authorization from the USOC, an NGB, IF, any NADO, WADA, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Paralympic Committee, (IPC), or the organizing committee of any Event or Competition.
Test Distribution Planning Allocation
When developing its Test Distribution Plan, a plan for efficient and effective allocation of Testing resources, USADA’s considerations are constistent with WADA’s International Standards for Testing (IST). These standards, at a minimum, may include:
In-Competition Testing Selection
In-Competition testing plans are primarily developed by coordinating with each National Governing Body (NGB) and are often in accordance with IF rules. Athletes may be selected for testing by USADA based on criteria that typically includes established rules set forth by each IF.
An example of how athletes would be selected for in competition or event testing could be: Placed finishers, such as the top three finishers and randomly selected athletes, such as 5th, 7th, 12th, 18th, 19th, etc.
Out of Competition (OOC) Testing Selection
USADA’s Test Distribution Plan establishes the number of tests per sport based upon the number of athletes in the USADA Registered Testing Pool and in evaluation of the International Standards. USADA also carefully considers selection formulas or requests for target selection of particular Athletes which are proposed by the USOC or a particular NGB. Tests are then allocated to periods throughout the year when OOC Testing is most effective.
Registered Testing Pool
A registered testing pool (RTP) is a pool of top-level athletes who are subject to both In-Competition and Out-of-Competition testing as part of a test distribution plan and must provide whereabouts information. USADA's RTP is updated at a minimum each quarter and is chosen in conjunction with recommendations proposed by each sport national governing body. USADA notifies all athletes of their inclusion in the Registered Testing Pool, after which it becomes the responsibility of the athlete to forward their Whereabouts Filing and thereafter to provide USADA with updated information specifying their whereabouts. USADA's RTP is broken into two pools, which affects whereabouts responsibilities. For more information on whereabouts responsibilities please click here.
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