The ITA supports the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 anti-doping program

The ITA’s responsibilities for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games include the formulation of the Test Distribution Plan (TDP), taking into account information stemming from the comprehensive risk assessment established by the ITA and available intelligence. CHINADA will collect samples in-competition and out-of-competition based on the TDP elaborated by the ITA, including the coordination of Sample Collection Personnel such as Chaperones and Doping Control Officers.

Additionally, the ITA will manage general communication related to the anti-doping program, ensuring transparency and compliance with anti-doping protocols. This includes liaising with National Olympic Committees (NOCs), International Federations, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Independent Observer team and other relevant stakeholders.

In the lead-up to the Asian Games, the ITA had already established a pre-event Education Plan. It also monitored and analysed the pre-Games testing program and, wherever needed to avoid any testing gaps, directly implemented doping controls ahead of Hangzhou 2022 under the testing jurisdiction of the OCA. Additionally, the ITA entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the local Chinese authorities for information-sharing purposes. Any proactive reports of suspected anti-doping rule violations that anyone wishes to make to the ITA in relation to the Asian Games can be shared confidentially via the ITA’s secure REVEAL platform.

The ITA will also oversee the process for managing Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) in accordance with established regulations. Furthermore, the ITA will conduct the Results Management process for potential Anti-Doping Rule Violations, assess any Adverse Analytical Findings potentially resulting from the testing program, notify athletes, and prosecute any Anti-Doping Rule Violations as necessary.

The Hangzhou 2022 anti-doping program is a collaborative effort between the ITA, the OCA, CHINADA, and the Local Organising Committee. In May 2022, the OCA established a partnership with the ITA to ensure expert support for the clean sport activities of the Asian Games.

The 19th Asian Games, postponed by a year due to the Coronavirus crisis, are taking place from 23 September to 8 October in Hangzhou, the capital of China’s Zhejiang province in eastern China. The Games will feature 61 disciplines across 40 sports including the 28 ‘core’ Olympic sports contested at Paris 2024. The 45 NOCs affiliated to the Olympic Council of Asia have entered more than 12,500 athletes for the Games, making it one of the world’s largest sports events.