What are testing pools and why are whereabouts important for clean sport?

Out-of-competition testing with no-advance notice is one of the most powerful means of deterrence and detection of doping. To support this type of testing, WFDF has created testing pools as part of its testing program. 

Certain athletes in the WFDF testing pools, such as those in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP), are required to provide information on their whereabouts in ADAMS, WADA’s online anti-doping administration and management system. 

WFDF updates the composition of the testing pools regularly/at least yearly. Athletes in the RTP are chosen based on set criteria

How do athletes know they need to provide whereabouts?

Athletes who need to provide whereabouts in ADAMS are notified by WFDF of their inclusion in a testing pool as well as what information exactly is required of them, how to use ADAMS, deadlines to submit this information and any consequences if the information required is not submitted.

What do RTP/TP athletes need to know? 

The athletes included in the WFDF Testing Pool shall provide the following whereabouts:

  • an overnight address;
  • competition/event schedule;
  • regular training activities.

According to Article 4.8.6.2 of the WADA International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI), an athlete who is in a Registered Testing Pool shall:

  • provide accurate and complete information about the athlete's whereabouts during the forthcoming quarter, including where they will be living, training and competing;
  • describe in detail a 60-minute time slot in which to be available at a specific location for control.

Should athletes have any query on ADAMS, such as how to submit whereabouts, please refer to the ADAMS Help Center or contact WFDF Anti-Doping.

Tips for RTP/TP athletes

  • Set a calendar reminder of the key dates/deadlines to submit quarterly whereabouts information
  • For RTP athletes only: Set an alarm for the start of the 60-minute time slot
  • Be as specific as possible when submitting your whereabouts information
  • Make modifications to your whereabouts information when changes occur
  • If you have any doubts, please contact WFDF Anti-Doping or use the ADAMS Help Centre if you require technical support with ADAMS
  • Download the app Athlete Central in order to facilitate all the processes related to the whereabouts system
  • Check the WADA Q&A Whereabouts
  • Check the At-a-Glance: Athlete Whereabouts

Consequences for TP Athletes

As established in Article 5.5.12 of the WFDF Anti-Doping Rules, an athlete's failure to provide whereabouts information on or before the date required by WFDF or the athlete's failure to provide accurate whereabouts information may result in WFDF elevating the athlete to WFDF's Registered Testing Pool (if one is established) and/or additional appropriate and proportionate non-Code Article 2.4 consequences, established by WFDF if any.

Consequences for RTP Athletes

Several consequences, such as a potential two-year ban from the sport are established in case of missed whereabouts information, in addition to those determined in Articles 10-11 of the WFDF Anti-Doping Rules.

The athletes are strictly liable for inserting their whereabouts.

What should athletes do if they wish to retire or return to competition after retiring?

All WFDF athletes who decide to retire from competition must inform WFDF if they retire.

For RTP athletes, as soon as the retirement is officially confirmed to WFDF, the athlete will be withdrawn from WFDF's RTP with immediate effect. If an athlete wishes to resume competing, they will not be able to do so until they have given WFDF written notice of their intent to resume competition (i.e. by completing and sending a Return to Competition Form) and made themselves available for testing for a period of six months.