SINGAPORE - In a pioneering move, journalists and broadcast reporters had the opportunity to simulate and gain a deeper understanding of the entire anti-doping process at the doping control station inside the World Aquatics Championships Arena. By allowing media behind-the-scenes access to an otherwise highly restricted area, this marked a significant step forward in enhancing transparency in sports and follows a growing global trend of making anti-doping processes more transparent to the public.

Inside the Doping Control Process

ITA’s Senior Testing Officer, Jack Pinnick-Gray, led the session, offering a comprehensive overview of the anti-doping procedure. Usually a highly regulated and restricted area, the event provided media personnel direct access to the doping control room. This opportunity allowed participants to witness the process and gain insight into the World Aquatics anti-doping programme.

“The goal of today’s event was to educate the media about how doping control works and help them understand the full process,” Pinnick-Gray explained.

The doping control process begins immediately after an athlete finishes their competition. In events like open water swimming, athletes are notified of their selection for testing as soon as they exit the water. A chaperone accompanies them throughout the process, even as they pass through the mixed zone, participate in medal ceremonies, or attend press conferences.

The Sample Collection Process

Athletes are required to provide a urine sample of at least 90 millilitres. The sample is tested for specific gravity, ensuring it is concentrated enough for laboratory analysis. If the initial sample fails the test, the athlete will be asked to provide another sample. If the athlete is unable to produce the required amount initially, the sample is sealed and treated as partial. When ready, the athlete completes the sample collection, which is then consolidated into a single sample.

Each athlete uses a WADA-regulated kit, which includes two bottles. One is for the primary sample (Sample A), and the other is for backup (Sample B) in case the first test comes back positive. Throughout this procedure, athletes have the right to select and inspect their kits and bottles.

Both doping control officers (DCOs) and athletes undergo extensive training to ensure the integrity of the process. DCOs participate in simulations to experience the process from an athlete's perspective. All athletes in the World Aquatics Championships must also complete anti-doping education, regardless of their previous testing history. This ensures that every athlete understands the process before competing.

Common Misconception About Random Selection in Doping Control

One common misconception about doping control is that testing is purely random. However, the ITA has shifted towards a more targeted approach to testing. Pinnick-Gray clarified that targeted testing does not necessarily indicate suspicion of doping but is a strategic way to ensure comprehensive and effective testing across athletes with varied performance profiles.

They now use a live-feed data system to identify potential outliers in performance, with assistance from the University of Kent, and they target testing more effectively. This approach has been used in sports like weightlifting, and soon, cycling will also implement a similar system, according to Pinnick-Gray.

This live-feed data system is being tested for the first time at the World Aquatics Championships in collaboration with World Aquatics, allowing real-time performance monitoring and identification of outliers.

The ITA is focused not just on in-competition testing but also on out-of-competition testing. Since January this year, they’ve already collected more than 3,000 samples, including both urine and blood, as part of the World Aquatics programme.

Pinnick-Gray pointed out, “In the build-up nowadays, we really do focus our testing on the out-of-competition testing.”

At the championships, they plan to carry out 525 in-competition tests, covering a total of around 800 samples across all six disciplines.

Building Trust Through Transparency

Justin Lessard from the AQIU emphasised the importance of transparency in anti-doping efforts, stating, “We are committed to transparency on all fronts. Our website provides detailed statistics on the number of tests athletes undergo, provisional suspensions, and the reasoning behind sanctions. The doping control station is a little bit of a black box. By opening up the doping control process, we aim to foster greater trust within the sport.”

Pinnick-Gray also explained, “Stories through media outlets may reach the stakeholders of World Aquatics and help educate people, helping them better understand how anti-doping works and the process, and maybe clear up some misconceptions that people might have.”

The transparency initiatives not only provide clarity for athletes and the public but are also crucial in building confidence in anti-doping programs. According to Pinnick-Gray, giving the media access to this process is just one of the many ways the ITA and AQIU are working to promote a culture of trust and fairness in the sport.

A Step Forward for Clean Sport

The demonstration in Singapore represents a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to make the anti-doping process more transparent and accessible. By sharing the inner workings of doping control with the media, both the ITA and AQIU aim to promote greater understanding and trust in anti-doping measures. As sports continue to evolve, initiatives like these will play a crucial role in ensuring a fair and level playing field for all athletes.

This transparency effort builds on similar initiatives, like the one during the Tour de France. It shows that openness in anti-doping is not just a trend, but a crucial part of ensuring fair competition.

Find Out More

You can find World Aquatics testing statistics here, including the anti-doping tests carried out before the World Aquatics Championships - Singapore 2025.

The Aquatics Integrity website is here. You can visit the International Testing Agency's website here.