International Association of Athletics Federations

MISSED TESTS

The “missed tests” rule operates regardless of the number of times an athlete may be tested
successfully in between missed tests. For example, an athlete who has a first missed test, who is
then successfully tested 4 times, has a second missed test, is successfully tested a further 2 times
and finally has a third missed test, provided the 3 missed tests have taken place in any period of
5 years beginning with the date of the first missed test shall have committed an anti-doping
rule violation in accordance with Rule 32.2 (d), and liable to sanction.

What will be considered to be a “missed test”?

An athlete will be subject to an evaluation for a “missed test” in at the least any one of the
following circumstances:

(i) if he/she fails to respond to the IAAF’s request to provide quarterly whereabouts
information;

(ii) if he/she responds to the IAAF’s request for quarterly whereabouts information but fails to
provide adequate whereabouts as required;

(iii) if, at the time of the designated out-of-competition test, he/she cannot be located by the
doping control officer at the location provided in the quarterly whereabouts on file at the
IAAF.

How will the missed test evaluation be made?

Once there is evidence of a possible missed test, an investigation will be initiated by the IAAF. The
athlete shall be given the opportunity to explain his/her missed test and this explanation, together
with all other relevant evidence (for example, from the doping control officer involved), shall be
properly considered before a decision is made.

What is the sanction for 3 missed tests?

The sanction for a first violation of this new Rule will be a 12-month period of ineligibility. For a
second violation and for each subsequent violation, the sanction will be a period of 2 years’
ineligibility.

In accordance with IAAF Rules, athletes shall be afforded the right to a full evidentiary hearing
before any sanction is imposed.

How can an athlete avoid a missed test?

1. By responding to the IAAF’s request for quarterly whereabouts information in a timely

fashion;

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2. By ensuring that the IAAF whereabouts forms (Location Form and Quarterly Schedule) are
fully completed in all details and filled out in a legible manner;

3. By ensuring that the IAAF whereabouts forms are kept up to date at all times. The IAAF
recognizes that athletes’ schedules may be subject to change in the course of any quarter but
the athletes must take responsibility for informing the IAAF immediately of any changes in
schedule either by email, or fax. This is very important because the IAAF’s out-of-
competition testing programme is carried out on an unannounced basis. A doping control
officer may turn up at any time and, if an athlete has failed to notify the IAAF of his/her
change in schedule, he/she runs the risk of having a missed test.

The IAAF Whereabouts Forms can be downloaded from the IAAF website
(www.iaaf.org>Anti-Doping>Anti-Doping Rules) or are available on request by e-mail to
whereabouts@iaaf.org or by fax to: +377 93 10 88 05.

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Tel. +377 93 10 88 88  Fax +377 93 15 95 15  www.iaaf.org