1. Whereabouts

2. What is Whereabouts?
Whereabouts is information provided by a limited number of athletes about their location on a daily basis
They are provided to the International Sport Federation (IF) or National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) that included them in their respective Registered Testing Pool
The Registered Testing Pool is the pool of highest priority athletes who are subject to focused testing

3. Rationale Powerful means of deterrence and detection
Prohibited substances and methods are detectable only for a limited period of time
It is important to know when athletes are most likely to use prohibited substances and methods and where they will be at this time
Accurate Whereabouts information is therefore crucial
Out-of-competition doping controls are one of the most powerful means of deterrence and detection of doping.   
Prohibited substances and methods are detectable only for a limited period of time in an athlete’s body while maintaining a performance-enhancing effect.
The only way to perform such testing is by knowing where athletes are, and the only way to make it efficient is to be able to test athletes at times at which cheaters may be most likely to use prohibited substances and methods.
Accurate whereabouts information is crucial therefore to ensure efficiency in anti-doping programs

4. Athlete Responsibilities
An athlete must provide the following information if they are in an RTP:
Mailing address
Quarterly Competition schedule
Regular activities such as school, training etc.
Address of the place they stay overnight each day (home, hotel etc.)
One daily 60 minute location between 5am-11pm that they are accessible for testing and liable for a ‘missed test.’
All athletes can be tested at any time or place, not just those in an RTP, and not only in the designated 60 minute period.

5. Athlete Responsibilities
An athlete must provide the following information if they are in an RTP:
Mailing address
Quarterly Competition schedule
Regular activities such as school, training etc.
Address of the place they stay overnight each day (home, hotel etc.)
One daily 60 minute location between 5am-11pm that they are accessible for testing and liable for a ‘missed test.’
All athletes can be tested at any time or place, not just those in an RTP, and not only in the designated 60 minute period.

6. Implementing Whereabouts
IFs decide who should be part of the RTP internationally
NADOs decide who should be part of the RTP nationally
WADA has no role to play in these decisions
WADA recommends that RTPs be of a manageable size and proportionate to the volume of Out-of Competition testing
Whereabouts is a practical tool to facilitate effective Out-of Competition testing
WADA is not responsible for deciding who should be part of these registered testing pools. ADOs are afforded discretion as to who should be subject to these provisions internationally, and NADOs are afforded discretion to create a registered testing pool at the national level.It is WADA’s recommendation that registered testing pools be of a manageable size to ensure athletes are educated about their rights and responsibilities appropriately. WADA also urges ADOs to ensure RTPs are proportionate to the volume of OOC testing to be conducted.
Whereabouts requirements are a practical tool to help ADOs conduct effective out-of-competition testing. Irrelevant of whether they have been selected to be part of a registered testing pool, athletes can still be tested out-of-competition by their IF, their NADO or other ADOs.

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