November 24, 2016 – (Montreal, QC) – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes its 2015 Testing Figures Report (2015 Report), which summarizes the results of all 2015 samples analyzed by WADA-accredited laboratories, as reported in WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS). This includes in- and out-of-competition urine, blood and Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) blood data, and the subsequent AAFs and Atypical Findings (ATFs) reported. The 2015 Report represents the first set of global testing data since the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code (Code) came into effect on 1 January 2015.

“Alongside areas of activities such as education, investigations and information sharing, testing is a critical tool in anti-doping organizations’ (ADOs) commitment to working towards fair competition and clean sport,” said WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie. “This 2015 Report represents figures from the first year under the enhanced Code that ADOs practice worldwide; and, interestingly, the findings highlight an increase in the number of samples analyzed and an increase in the number of Adverse Analytical Findings reported,” Reedie continued.

The 2015 Report highlights a 7.1% increase in the number of samples analyzed from 2014 to 2015 (283,304 samples analyzed in 2014 to 303,369 in 2015). The findings also show that there was a relative increase in Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) – widely known as positive tests – from 1.11% [of overall samples analyzed] in 2014 to 1.26% in 2015; and that there was a relative increase in the number of blood samples collected from 4.78% [of overall samples analyzed] in 2014 (13,553 from 283,304) to 6.98% in 2015 (21,176 of 303,369).

2015 was the first year that ADOs were required to incorporate the Technical Document for Sport Specific Analysis (TDSSA) into their testing programs, which is intended to ensure that three particular groups of prohibited substances — which are deemed to be at risk of abuse in certain sports/disciplines — are subject to an appropriate and consistent minimum level of analysis by all ADOs. Interestingly, the 2015 Report illustrates that there was a significant increase in testing by ADOs in three groups with: an 82% increase in Growth Hormone (GH) Isoforms testing compared with 2014; a 14.5% increase in Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESAs) testing in urine and an 84% increase in blood testing; and, a 91.7%1 increase in Growth Hormone Releasing Factors (GHRFs) testing. When compared to 2014, there was an increase in AAFs across two of the three groups: three additional AAFs for GH; and eight additional AAFs for GHRFs.

“The 2015 Testing Figures Report provides powerful data that will help anti-doping organizations, including WADA, gain a better understanding of testing patterns and existing gaps, and adapt their anti-doping strategies accordingly,” explained WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli.

The 2015 Report does not illustrate statistics on Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), which are reported via a separate Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRV) Report — the 2015 version of which will be released in 2017. The ADRV Report reveals analytical and non-analytical cases and the outcomes of results management.

The 2015 Report includes data from 403 different Testing Authorities (TAs)2, a slight increase from the 385 reported in 2014 due to additional stakeholders that were identified as TAs. The figures include all analyses conducted in 2015 by the 35 WADA-accredited laboratories and by the three additional laboratories (‘approved laboratories’) that have been approved by WADA to conduct blood analysis exclusively for the purposes of the ABP blood module.

In reading the 2015 Report, it is important to note that:

* One single result does not necessarily correspond to one athlete. Results may correspond to multiple findings regarding the same athlete or measurements performed on the same athlete; such as, in the case of longitudinal studies of testosterone.

* The number of AAFs in the Report may not correspond with the number of ADRVs reported by ADOs. This is because all results are subject to a results management process conducted by ADOs, which includes matching results with Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), longitudinal studies, which can result in no case to answer or no sanction.

* Cycling is one of the most tested sports with 22,652 total tests and 244 positives (1.1%); only Football is higher with 32,362 tests and 160 positives (1.1%); Athletics had 30,308 tests and 265 positives (0.9%); Weightlifting has the highest average at 2.7% with 272 positives out of 10,262 tests – ed.

To help with the interpretation of the 2015 Testing Figures Report, a comprehensive Questions and Answers document is available on WADA’s website.

Notes:

1: The analysis of GHRFs (GHRH/GHS/GHRP) was not compiled in the 2014 Testing Figures Report since it was not available for Laboratories to record in ADAMS throughout 2014. In addition, not all WADA-accredited laboratories had the capacity to analyze GHRFs in 2014.

2: Testing Authority (TA):  As defined in WADA’s International Standard for Laboratories, a TA is ‘The organization that has authorized a particular sample collection, whether (1) an Anti-Doping Organization (for example, the International Olympic Committee or other Major Event Organization, WADA, an International Federation, or a National Anti-Doping Organization); or (2) another organization conducting testing pursuant to the authority of and in accordance with the rules of the ADO (for example, a National Federation that is a member of an International Federation).

WADA 2015 Testing Figures Report 2015 report here.