Definition - What does Out-of-Competition Testing mean?
Out-of-competition testing, in the context of the athletic industry, refers to a process involving athletes who are subject to undergo drug testing outside competition status. This means that athletes are required to provide a urine and/or blood specimen with unannounced notification from a doping control officer (DPO). Out-of-competition testing is an effective measure to determine that athletes are free from using illegal substances and their applied methods. Out-of-competition testing selection of an athlete is contingent on a set criteria based on the type of sport, ranking status, and general performance level.
SureHire explains Out-of-Competition Testing
Athletes selected for out-of-competition testing are usually members of a registered testing pool (RTP), representing high-level athletes from different sports league organizations. Consequently, it is the athlete’s responsibility to keep their location information updated consistently for controlled verification purposes. Because out-of-competition testing follows set guidelines for constant availability, athletes committed already to other obligations can sometimes defer testing at a later time. The circumstances must be declared legitimate, such as a press conference or reward ceremony, in order to be granted temporary postponement for testing. However, a DPO or chaperone will accompany an athlete from a point of contact until drug testing collection is complete.
Athletes may be reached abroad whether they are present at home, a school/university, the workplace, or training facility. Urine and/or blood samples are deposited into two containers marked “A” and “B.” If the primary “A” container indicates positive results then the secondary “B” container is retrieved for further analysis to support initial findings.
