September 22, 2011 - Pursuant to its responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), WADA publishes annually two sets of statistics.

The first set is reported by Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) on testing performed and results management, and the second set is reported by the WADA accredited anti-doping laboratories on analyses performed.

As regards the Testing Statistics, section 14.4 of the Code states that “Anti-Doping Organizations shall, at least annually, publish publicly a general statistical report of their Doping Control activities with a copy provided to WADA”.

Code Section 14.5 further states that “WADA shall act as the central clearing house for Doping Control Testing data” from Anti-Doping Organizations and “shall, at least annually, publish statistical reports summarizing such information”.

In accordance with these Code requirements, WADA has requested that all International Federations (IFs) and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) submit their testing data, and has published the data that has been received to date.

The 2010 Laboratory Statistics includes analyses conducted by the WADA accredited laboratories for in- and out-of-competition testing. There were 35 WADA accredited laboratories in 2010. In 2010, the number of samples analyzed decreased by 19,601 compared to 2009, with a slight decrease in Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) and Atypical Findings (ATFs) reported - from 2.02% in 2009 to 1.87% in 2010.

It is important to note that the data for AAFs (i.e. the presence of prohibited substances or methods in samples) and ATFs (i.e. the presence of prohibited substances or methods requiring further investigation before potentially becoming an Adverse Analytical Finding) is only the analytical findings reported by the laboratories and all are subject to the results management process conducted by ADOs, which includes matching with Therapeutic Use Exemptions and longitudinal studies.

Therefore, the number of AAFs and ATFs reported by laboratories may not correspond with the number of cases sanctioned (Anti-Doping Rule Violations) by ADOs.

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