April 23, 2011 – Since the new World Anti-Doping Code became effective as of January 1, 2009, structured out-of-competition doping controls are a mandatory requirement on all International Federations. Given the demonstrated higher rate of effectiveness in catching cheaters, out-of-competition testing also represents the continued focus of the FIS Anti-Doping program.

During the 2010/2011 competition season, FIS performed as many as 2,321 out-of-competition tests, including blood and urine tests (323 with EPO analysis) as well as blood passport samples. In addition, WADA conducted another 127 out-of-competition tests on FIS athletes during the same time. WADA’s out-of-competition testing included blood and urine (including EPO analysis) controls.

These numbers include the pre-competition blood controls which were carried out at the FIS Junior and FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. The organization of the post-competition controls at the FIS World Championships is the responsibility of the Organizing Committees, which have contracted their National Anti-Doping agency or another doping control service provider to conduct the mandatory controls.

Additionally 360 in-competition tests were completed by FIS at World Cup events, whereby 186 samples were additionally analyzed for EPO. In addition to these, a large number of doping controls have been carried out by the National Anti-Doping Agencies both in and out-of-competition.

The overall investment by FIS in its Anti-Doping program during the 2010/2011 season amounted to approximately CHF 1.5 million. This included both the in- and out-of-competition testing programs and various preventive, informational and educational efforts.

For more information and statistics from previous seasons, click HERE.