Understanding Whereabouts
Whereabouts are information provided by a limited number of top elite athletes about their location to the International Sport Federation (IF) or National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) that included them in their respective Registered Testing Pool (RTP). This information is used to locate athletes for out-of-competition testing with no advance notice.
Why are Whereabouts Important?
Out-of-competition testing is the most powerful means of deterrence and detection of doping and is an important step in strengthening athlete and public confidence in doping-free sport. Accurate whereabouts information is the only way to ensure testing can happen anywhere, anytime.
What Information is Required?
If you are in a Registered Testing Pool (RTP), you must provide the following information on a quarterly basis:
- Home address, email address and phone number
- Overnight accommodation address for each day of the quarter
- Regular activities such as training, work, or school, along with the locations and times
- Competition schedules and locations (Note: You must continue to provide your 60-minute time slot even on competition days)
- A 60-minute time slot for each day between 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. where you guarantee to be present and available for testing at a specific location
- Clear Instructions: You must provide details to be easily located without a phone call (e.g., access/buzzer codes, hotel room numbers, or specific entrances) in the 'Additional Information' section.
Filing Deadlines
Whereabouts filings are due quarterly (every 3 months). The standard deadlines are:
- Q1: December 15
- Q2: March 15
- Q3: June 15
- Q4: September 15
Failures
Any combination of three Whereabouts Failures within a 12-month period constitutes an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV).
- Missed Test: Failing to be available during your designated 60-minute time slot.
- Filing Failure: Failing to submit your whereabouts on time, or providing inaccurate/incomplete information.
Updating Your Whereabouts
Plans change, and that's okay. If your schedule changes from what you submitted in your quarterly filing, you must update your whereabouts immediately. You can update your whereabouts through the ADAMS website or the Athlete Central mobile app.
- Travel: Use the travel function in ADAMS for trips, especially when travelling abroad or when travel prevents you from providing your regular 60-minute time slot.
- Emergencies: Last-minute, unplanned emergency changes can be made directly on ADAMS, the Athlete Central App, or via SMS (if your phone number is activated on your ADAMS profile).