USADA Releases its “Game Plan 2012” and Announces First Quarter 2009 Program Statistics & Highlights

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is pleased to share the following statistics and highlights for the first quarter of 2009, which was a particularly active and productive time for the anti-doping movement.

Game Plan 2012

Rolled out in the first quarter of 2009 was the “Game Plan 2012,” USADA’s guiding strategic plan for the next quadrennium. USADA’s Board of Directors and Staff conducted a thorough strategic review of the agency’s Vision, Mission, Values and Goals, and using the eight-year history as the foundation of our review, we have set a course for the future that guides our efforts to preserve, inspire, and protect true sport. “Game Plan 2012” is built around four high-level strategic goals, includes an evolution of our Vision, Mission and Values statements, and will direct every component of USADA’s efforts for the next four years. A link to this document can be found in the “What’s New” section on USADA’s homepage at usada.org.

Program Statistics

USADA performed a total of 1,887 doping control tests in the first quarter of 2009. Of those tests, 1,404 were domestic tests and 483 were tests administered on U.S. and non-U.S. athletes in the United States on behalf of other anti-doping and sports organizations.

Out-of-Competition (OOC) testing accounted for 971 (70%) of the total testing number.  OOC testing typically occurs at the athlete’s home, training facility or other location and is performed with no advance notice to the athlete; however, some OOC tests are coordinated during team training camps. In-Competition (IC) tests at 33 competitions around the U.S. accounted for 433 (30%) of the testing numbers for the first quarter in 2009.

In addition, USADA was contracted to provide doping-control services for 73 user-pay tests at 7 sport events throughout the United States.

USADA announced four (4) anti-doping rules violations in the first quarter of 2009, including one (1) suspension for boldenone, one (1) suspension for hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene, one (1) suspension for refusal to submit to sample collection, and one (1) suspension for stanozolol.

USADA announces its testing numbers quarterly. Individual cases of alleged doping violations are announced at the time of the resolution. For the testing history of individual athletes, visit the USADA Website at usada.org.

Program Highlights

USADA’s athlete education programming reached out to more than 1,238 individual elite athletes, junior athletes, athlete support, and NGB staff, in eight (8) cities across five (5) states, representing more  than  sixteen  (16)  sports.  These  programs  encompassed  athletic  summits,  club  events.

development camps, training camps, national events, Olympic Training Center Dining Hall Chats, symposiums, and coaches’ conferences.

For this quarter, USADA’s Drug Reference Online – which provides easily accessible information on the status of specific U.S. pharmaceutical products for use by athletes – received 13,761 search inquiries, the Drug Reference Line received 489 call inquiries, and an additional 145 direct general inquiries were made.

Also during this first full quarter under the revised World Anti-Doping Code (“Code”) and International Standards, USADA remained focused on ensuring a smooth transition for all U.S. athletes. While there was significant change, the USADA testing and education teams continued their efforts of informing athletes of their rights and responsibilities under the new Code and managing questions and follow-up with all stakeholders. To the credit of our U.S. athletes, navigating the new requirements has taken a great deal of effort and commitment, and the transition has been successful. USADA will continue to provide educational resources and gather feedback to provide to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in consideration of future policy enhancement and development.

In furtherance of USADA’s goal to be a strong partner and voice in the global anti-doping community, the agency was honored to extend its expertise at the Asian NADO Symposium held in March in Tokyo, as well as through other educational and intellectual property sharing opportunities. The Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) hosted the Asian NADO Symposium, which was also attended by the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA), as well as the regional anti-doping authorities from Singapore, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Thailand.  USADA delivered information on practices for In- Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing, best practices for effective athlete education programming, and on Doping Control Officer recruitment, management, training, evaluation and quality management. It is a privilege for USADA to contribute experience and knowledge to these developing programs.

USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Testing Numbers First Quarter 2009

2009 Testing

USADA Tests:
Q1                         TOTAL