The Registered Testing Pool (RTP) is the pool of highest-priority athletes established separately at the international level by IFAF and at the national level by National Anti-Doping Organisations.
Athletes included in IFAF’s RTP are subject to both in-competition and out-of-competition testing as part of (insert IF name)’s test distribution plan and are therefore required to provide Whereabouts information as provided in Code Art. 5.5 (Athletes Whereabouts Information) and the International Standard for Testing and Investigations.
The (insert IF name) updates the composition of the RTP on a regular basis. Athletes are included in the RTP based on a set of criteria and are notified by the International Testing Agency/IFAF upon inclusion.
Inclusion in the RTP is done via the IFAF Inclusion Letter – this document contains all the key information, deadlines and athlete’s responsibilities as it relates to athletes’ RTP obligations.
IFAF also has team whereabouts requirements that all Nations must follow.
RTP Athletes must regularly provide whereabouts and contact information in ADAMS, WADA’s online anti-doping administration and management system. This information helps Anti-Doping Organisations with testing jurisdiction over the athlete to plan out-of-competition testing.
The Whereabouts requirements include but are not limited to:
- An up-to-date mailing address and phone number
- One daily specific 60-minute time slot between 5am and 11pm when the athlete is available and accessible for testing
- Athlete’s overnight accommodation for each day
- Information about training and regular activities that are part of the athlete’s regular routine (training at the gym, regular physio sessions, school, work, etc.)
- Competition, training and travel schedule
- Any additional relevant information that helps the Doping Control Officer locate the athlete (e.g., buzzer number or directions to a remote location)
Submitting late, inaccurate or incomplete whereabouts information may result in a Filing Failure.
An athlete may receive a Missed Test if they are not available for testing during the 60-minute timeslot indicated in ADAMS. Three Whereabouts Failures (any combination of a Filing Failure and a Missed Test) occurring within a 12-month period will lead to an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and a potential two-year ban from sport.
It is important to note that under the Principle of Strict Liability, the athlete remains responsible for the information submitted, even if they have delegated this task to a member of their support team.
Below are some helpful whereabouts tips for athletes:
- Set a calendar reminder of the key dates/deadlines to submit quarterly Whereabouts information
- Set an alarm for the start of the 60-minute time slot
- Be as specific as possible when submitting your Whereabouts information
- When in doubt, ask for help via (insert IF or ITA contact details) or the ADAMS Help Centre
- Make use of the Athlete Central app to submit your Whereabouts information on a mobile device
All international level athletes who decide to retire from competition must inform the IFAF or the ITA by emailing the ITA, IFAF and their NADO. For RTP Athletes, as soon as the retirement is officially confirmed to IFAF/ ITA, the athlete will be immediately withdrawn from the RTP. The ITA will send a written communication to acknowledge that this information has been received.
If the athlete then wishes to return to competition, this athlete cannot compete in international or national events until they have given six months prior written notice to the ITA, IFAF and their NADO (Code Art. 5.6: Retired Athletes Returning to Competition).
