Intelligence & Investigations

Intelligence refers to the systematic collection and analysis of information related to doping in sports.  Investigations are the processes that follow intelligence gathering. They aim to uncover evidence of doping violations.

Proactive reporting involves individuals disclosing information about suspected doping violations within sports. It can include reports about athletes, coaches, medical professionals, support staff, officials or administrators engaged in doping or suspected doping.

Anyone who has detected, identified, and/or witnessed doping, or who has reasonable grounds for suspecting that doping has occurred or might occur in the future.

Information can be reported about anyone including (but not limited to); athletes, coaches, medical professionals, support staff, officials, and/or administrators of governing bodies.

Reporting doping or suspected doping is important because:

• It can help uncover doping. Thanks to proactive reporters, major doping regimes have been uncovered and dismantled. Every piece of information is important as it might be the last piece of the puzzle needed to protect the integrity of sport.
• Not all anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) involve prohibited substances that can be identified through testing. Proactive reporting can help uncover other ADRVs, including those committed by Athlete Support Personnel.
• Since doping has a negative impact on athlete health, reporting doping helps protect the health of fellow athletes.

Information about doping or suspected doping can be reported to:

• The ITA via the REVEAL platform
• Your National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO)
• Your International Federation (IF)
• WADA via the SpeakUp platform

This could allow doping to exist in your sport. Remember that sharing information is essential to uncover doping and ensure it is sanctioned.

It is never too early or too late to report doping or suspected doping – this includes information from something that has already happened, that is happening now or is anticipated to happen in the future.

Yes. This might be the last piece of the puzzle that is missing to protect the integrity of a sport. Information about anything that is seen, heard, known or suspected is valuable.

The ITA also has strict processes in place to protect Proactive Reporters – you may remain completely anonymous, and your information will be managed confidentially by professional, highly trained and experienced intelligence professionals.

Any information that may relate to potential doping in sport is important, no matter how big or small, or if seen, heard, known, discussed, or suspected. Examples of useful information include rumours of doping, overhearing suggestions of doping, seeing doping activity and identifying prohibited methods in athletes’ possession.

Evidence can be shared in many forms including video, photo, verbally or in written form and records are very useful. We encourage reporters to share information in the way(s) they deem most appropriate in their situation. However, please beware that depending in which country you are located, you may be taking risks when trying to record or photograph in private settings, without consent, due to the national legislation. If the circumstances are putting you at risk, we encourage you to report what you saw, without taking photos or videos.

No. Proving an anti-doping rule has been violated is a role of the Anti-Doping Organisation. Your role is to provide information about doping or suspected doping.

Yes, suspected doping, including rumours, are worth reporting. All proactive reporting information is assessed alongside additional separate reporting (whether proactive or gathered from other data eg. anomalous athlete biological passports, unusual, missed tests, event records) and actioned accordingly.

Anti-Doping Organisations get their information from a range of sources, including internal industry databases like ADAMS, partner agencies such as National Federations, other ADOs, and other government or law enforcement agencies and public authorities, open sources, and proactive athlete and support personnel outreach.

All reporting is assessed against other information for veracity prior to any action being taken. Credible, corroborated information is required to pursue an anti-doping rule violation against anyone.

Doping or suspected doping can be reported to the ITA through REVEAL, its secure and confidential reporting platform REVEAL was developed, in consultation with athletes, to help uncover doping violations by securely sharing information with the ITA’s Intelligence and Investigations team.

Using REVEAL, information can be shared via the online form, WhatsApp or email. Each platform is secure, allowing personal details and information to be shared confidentially with the ITA I&I team who are highly trained professionals and experienced in managing confidential information and people who report. Those who report information can also choose to remain anonymous, however engaging in confidential two-way communication is encouraged as it allows the ITA to best understand and action the experiences and concerns reported.

Protecting the identity of anyone who reports doping is a priority for the ITA Intelligence and Investigations team who treat all information confidentially and remind individuals they can remain anonymous if they wish.

The REVEAL platform is secure, allowing information to be shared confidentially and anonymously.

Once received, all information is reviewed and assessed before establishing the most appropriate action to take in a safe, considerate, and confidential manner.

Yes. If a reporter would like to remain anonymous, when sharing information about doping they should:

• not include personal information (such as name, relationship to others),
• avoid using a device provided by their employer,
• use a secure internet connection (lock symbol next to the address bar),
• avoid using an intranet connection.

The ITA will respond and keep the reporter updated as appropriate, however personal information, including subsequent testing missions or results management processes,

may remain confidential as required. If a reporter would like to remain anonymous, even while engaging in two-way conversation, the REVEAL platform allows for this.

Information received through REVEAL can only be accessed by the ITA’s Intelligence and Investigations experts and will remain 100% confidential. Reporters may also remain completely anonymous, even while engaging and/or providing ongoing information. Protection of the reporter is paramount, and the I&I team has strict measures in place ensure confidentiality when actioning reports. For more information, see the ITA’s Proactive Reporting Policy.

Reports can be made through REVEAL in any language.

The ITA’s Intelligence and Investigations team of highly trained professionals receive all reports made via REVEAL. All reports are processed with the highest level of integrity and rigour by the I&I team of experts who are experienced in handling sensitive information and committed to protecting the identity of those who report doping.

All reports are handled in the following three stages:

1. Proactive Reporter Management and Protection: When a report is received, an I&I officer provides an initial response to the reporter and takes the necessary steps to protect the reporter’s identity.
2. Reporter and Information Assessment: The I&I team then assesses the veracity of the information and credibility of the reporter.
3. Action: The I&I team then records, assesses, triages, and actions the information as necessary and proportionate.