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WADA publishes 2024 Testing Figures Report

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The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) today publishes its 2024 Testing Figures Report (2024 Report), which summarizes the results of all the samples WADA-accredited laboratories analyzed and reported in WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) in 2024.  

The 2024 Report includes:  

  • An executive summary and sub-reports by laboratory, sport, Testing Authority and Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) blood analysis;  
  • In- and out-of-competition urine samples;  
  • Urine, Blood, Dried Blood Spot and ABP blood data; and   
  • The resulting Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) and Atypical Findings (ATFs).   

The 2024 Report highlights:    

  • A 3.2% increase in the total number of samples [including urine, non-ABP blood and Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples] analyzed and reported in 2024 (297,965) vs. 2023 (288,865);   
  • The total percentage of AAFs year on year has remained steady (0.80% in 2023 to 0.78% in 2024);  
  • An increase in the number of (non-ABP) blood samples (blood + DBS samples) analyzed in 2024 (31,003) vs. 2023 (27,606); 
  • A significant increase in the total number of Erythropoietin-receptor antagonist (ERA) samples in 2024 (61,663) vs. 2023 (58,455) and AAFs in 2024 (149) vs. 2023 (117); and 
  • An increase in the total number of growth hormone-releasing factors (GHRF) samples in 2024 (72,259) vs. 2023 (58,549).   

WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said: “WADA is pleased to share its 2024 Annual Testing Figures Report, which provides a complete and transparent overview of all doping control samples analyzed and reported by WADA-accredited and WADA-approved laboratories around the world. As has been the case for a number of years, the total number of anti-doping tests increased year over year, as have a number of other important figures. In short, the anti-doping community has continued to deliver strong results and we remain steadfast in our commitment to maximize detection efficiency and deterrence so athletes around the world can compete on a level playing field. 

“The Testing Figures Report remains a critical tool for all stakeholders, and the insights gleaned from it remain one of the best resources available to ADOs in their efforts to maintain and build strong anti-doping programs. The data it contains is an important reminder of the important work carried out by Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) and WADA-accredited laboratories internationally.”  

To help with the interpretation of the 2024 Report, please consult the related Question and Answer document. Of particular importance, please note that: 

  • One single result does not necessarily correspond to one athlete. A result may be linked to multiple records for the same athlete. These records could represent different findings regarding the same athlete or distinct 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 to the number of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (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), and longitudinal studies which can result in no case to answer or no sanction.   
  • The testing figures are generally published more than a year later to provide enough time to collect and collate the large amount of data included in the report.   
  • As usual, this report does not illustrate statistics on ADRVs, which are reported via separate ADRV Reports that reveal analytical and non-analytical cases and the outcomes of results management, which is a process that can take a long time given that it may include investigations, appeals and other due processes.