WADA issues dope testing guidelines amid coronavirus pandemic

World Anti-Doping ncy (WADA) issued new guidelines to facilitate continued testing amid constraints of coronavirus pandemic. ting that spread of COVID-19 had evolved into "an even greater health and societal emergency" since its March 6 communique, WADA urged Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) to act in accordance with restrictions placed by local health authorities "to ensure proper protection of athletes and doping control personnel, while protecting integrity of doping control programs, particularly in lead-up to 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games." WADA's latest guidelines advise anti-doping organizations to make sure that sample collectors are free from any symptoms of illness.

Collectors should also ask athletes if y have any symptoms or if y or anyone at collection site are in groups thought to be at heightened risk from COVID-19. If test collection personnel are found to have contracted virus, athletes y tested should be informed and vice versa, WADA said on Friday. Protective wear such as masks should be used and work surfaces disinfected, and if local conditions limit what testing can occur n ADOs should "consider focusing ir testing program on targeted athletes from high risk sports and disciplines," WADA said.

In locations where testing programs can't continue, WADA said, it and or anti-doping organizations and sports federations will work toger "once situation begins to return to rmal" to identify gaps in testing "particularly as it relates to Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games." WADA said anti-doping organizations should continue to obtain information on whereabouts of athletes rmally gared to facilitate out-of-competition testing. Athletes are still responsible for obtaining rapeutic use exemptions and "should be reminded that y can still be tested at any place, any time," WADA said.

With some WADA accredited laboratories already closed and ors likely to follow suit, WADA said testing organizations should contact Montreal-based organization for information on what labs might be able to receive samples.

"While re are plans to change existing requirements under World Anti-Doping Program, WADA fully ackwledges complexities of this unprecedented situation and will ensure its compliance monitoring program provides a level of flexibility and understanding based on circumstances," WADA said.