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Record level of anti-doping tests

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Russell Langley 01 February 2006

Comprehensive pre-Games testing on British competitors heading for Turin and Melbourne has led to a record breaking quarter for the UK’s anti-doping programme. Figures released today by UK Sport, the national anti-doping agency for the UK, show that 2,424 tests were conducted between October and December 2005 – representing more domestic tests than in any other quarter in the history of programme.

Of particular significance is the large increase in the level of no-notice out-of-competition tests, which now account for 49.4% of the 5,116 tests carried out over the year to date (April-December 2005). UK Sport has set a target of 50% for these tests by April 2006, and this is being increased further to 55% next year. John Scott, Director of Drug-Free Sport at UK Sport, said:

"No-notice, out-of-competition tests act as the ultimate deterrent to would-be cheats. Our new whereabouts system means every sportsman and woman eligible for testing must inform us where they will be for at least one hour a day, five days a week whilst being ready at all other times to provide a sample if requested.

"Over the past 18 months the proportion of out-of-competition testing as part of our overall programme has increased from 25% to just under 50%, greatly improving the effectiveness of the testing programme."

This unprecedented volume of testing for the quarter stems from the challenging targets set by UK Sport for the pre-Games period. For the Winter Olympic Games, these stated that every British competitor heading for Turin should be tested at least once before the Games begin. Testing of the Commonwealth Games teams has been conducted using the concept of 'intelligent testing’ which prioritises the allocation of tests depending on a range of risk criteria, as Scott explained:

"Preparing for major events is clearly a time when sportsmen and women might look to prohibited substances and methods in order to boost their performance. On top of this we have to look at which sports and disciplines are most open to the threat of doping, thereby allowing us to allocate tests in the most effective manner.

"We embark on such an intensive spell of testing during these pre-Games periods both to act as a deterrent, but also to give the public confidence that the British athletes they are supporting are competing cleanly and fairly."

The testing has been backed up by education and advice delivered through UK Sport’s 100% Me programme. Face-to-face information sessions have been held with 95% of Britain’s Winter Olympics team, and education material has been provided to all home country Commonwealth Games aimed primarily at minimising the risk of inadvertent doping.

Scott continued: "A fully effective anti-doping programme has to get the right balance between the 'carrot’ of education and the 'stick’ of testing. In the past we have perhaps not given enough attention to ensuring athletes have the help they need to make informed choices about competing drug-free. The successful roll-out of 100% Me has allowed us to redress this balance and we are now in the healthy position of carrying out more tests than ever before as well as providing British athletes with education and advice that is unparalleled in the rest of the world."

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