Questions & Answers on the Athlete Biological Passport

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What is the Athlete Biological Passport?

The fundamental principle of the Athlete Biological Passport is based on the monitoring of selected parameters over time that indirectly reveal the effect of doping, as opposed to the traditional direct detection of doping by analytical means.

The objective of integrating the Athlete Biological Passport into the larger framework of a robust anti-doping program may include:
 

  • To identify and target athlete for specific analytical testing by intelligent and timely interpretation of passport data; and
  • To pursue possible anti-doping rule violations in accordance with Article 2.2: Use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method  of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).

How was this concept developed?

The concept of an Athlete Passport has been discussed by WADA since 2002. It gained further momentum as a result of questions raised by WADA during the 2006 Olympic Winter Games surrounding “no start” suspensions of athletes by their federations following health checks that reported high haemoglobin levels. Some concerns were expressed at the time regarding the results and their potential relation to doping.

Cognizant of the varying approaches to monitoring blood profiles among different sports, WADA convened a meeting to foster exchange of information and to develop a consensus on the topic. The participants, representing International Federations, agreed that the analysis of blood variables should be considered as part of the anti-doping process itself as it can help to identify abnormal profiles, and that WADA should take the lead in convening further meetings of relevant experts in the field of haematology.

The group, through a series of meetings, came to the consensus that the longitudinal analysis of athlete blood variables should be registered in a database, and should be used in target testing and sanctioning when abnormal values are observed.

When did WADA approve the widespread implementation of the Athlete Biological Passport?

As the international independent organization responsible for coordinating and monitoring the global fight against doping in sport, WADA’s role and mandate are not to intervene on the operational level in specific sports, but to provide harmonized protocols.
WADA’s Executive Committee first approved WADA’s Athlete Biological Passport Operating Guidelines on December 1, 2009. These guidelines took effect immediately and have since been revised.
The Athlete Biological Passport Operating Guidelines have been established to harmonize the results of monitored variables within the Athlete Biological Passport to ensure both legal and scientific fortitude. However WADA’s Athlete Biological Passport concept does not undermine the validity or efficacy of any existing longitudinal profiling program that an ADO may currently operate. Rather, WADA’s Athlete Passport model is intended to equip ADOs with a robust and harmonized framework in which to pursue anti-doping rule violations in accordance with Article 2.2 (Use or attempted use by an athlete of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method) of the World Anti-Doping Code and support intelligent, targeted testing.
This document provides an overview of the scientific principles behind the blood module of the Athlete Biological Passport and provides practical advice on the implementation of such a program. In addition, it includes mandatory requirements for collection, transportation, analysis of blood samples, and results management, those ADOs wishing to adopt WADA’s model will have to follow in order to ensure consistency of application and to comply with the World Anti-Doping Code and the related International Standards. 

What is WADA currently doing to further develop the Athlete Biological Passport?

WADA is engaged with experts and stakeholders to further develop the ABP and is presently working on steroid and endocrine modules. 

Will the Athlete Biological Passport replace traditional anti-doping testing?

The fight against doping relies on several strategies, including the direct testing of athletes as well as evidence gathered in the context of non-analytical doping violations. By combining these strategies, and seeking new ones to address emerging threats, the global fight against doping is more effective.

The typical doping control approach based on the detection of prohibited substance or their metabolites in an athlete’s sample remains an effective approach; however it has limitations when an athlete may be using substances on an intermittent and/or low-dose basis. Furthermore, new substances or modifications of prohibited substances (e.g. designer drugs) may be difficult to detect by conventional analytical means. In recent years, doping regimes have become much more scientifically planned and have taken advantage of the weaknesses in traditional protocols. This underscores the need for a more sophisticated and complementary strategy to effectively fight doping, namely, the Athlete Biological Passport.