The Tank
Issue: Volume 29 Number 4
On 30 March 2007, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) launched a long-term storage facility for the freezing of athletes’ blood and urine samples known as the 'Tank'.
Athletes using or contemplating using performance enhancing substances must be aware that the sample they provide today can now be analysed at any time for up to eight years.
'Selected samples collected by ASADA will be stored for a period of up to eight years for potential re-testing using future analytical technology', ASADA’s Chairman, Richard Ings explained.
The Tank removes any advantage an athlete perceives they might have in being able to escape detection by using currently undetectable methods of doping. 'Many substances that were undetectable only two years ago are now detectable due to advances in technology,' Ings said.
Examples of recent advances in doping detection technology include tests for erythropoietin (EPO) and tetrahydragestrinone (THG). The Tank, in combination with future advances in doping detection technology will deter athletes currently using non-detectable substances. An athlete using such substances could be detected and sanctioned for up to eight years after their sample has been collected.
ASADA has the ability to test samples stored in the Tank, whenever a new substance is detected or a new testing technique is discovered.
The Tank will help ensure that athletes who compete clean can be assured of a level playing field both now and into the future.
Athletes and athlete support personnel can receive severe penalties for participating in doping practices, such as:
- being banned from their sport
- the loss of contracts and sponsors
- the loss of money and endorsements
- the possibility of having to pay back prize money
- the loss of employment if working in a sport (e.g. coach or in the media)
- having their integrity questioned
- being shamed by the media and the public
- having records and results disqualified
- being required to return any medals won.
A policy of strict liability applies in doping offences. Athletes and athlete support personnel should ensure that any substance they are using is permitted.
ASADA makes checking the status of medications in sport easy. The ASADA website (asada.gov.au), allows athletes and athlete support personnel to determine the details of all prohibited substances. In addition, the ASADA website enables athletes to register their athlete whereabouts information online, has links to the World Anti-Doping Agency Code, and explains ASADA’s sample collection procedures.
The Tank joins the Stamp Out Doping Hotline and ASADA’s new investigative powers as yet another weapon in ASADA’s armoury to eliminate doping from Australian Sport.
Anyone with information about an athlete or their support personnel involved in doping should call the Stamp Out Doping Hotline on 1800 645 700.
