THE ISSF RESULTS MANAGEMENT PROCESS

When the ISSF receives confirmation from the WADA-accredited laboratory that an “A” sample has tested positive, the ISSF Commission of Inquiry for investigation conducts a review to determine if a Therapeutic Use Exemption has been granted to the Shooter for the detected substance.

The ISSF Commission of Inquiry also reviews whether there has been any obvious departure from the International Standard for Testing or the International Standard for Laboratories or if there is an obvious flaw in the laboratory analysis that would affect the adverse analytical finding.

If the finding is an atypical finding (for example an elevated T/E ratio), the ISSF will look at the Shooter’s medical history, seek further information from the Shooter’s prior testing history through his or her National Anti-Doping Organization, and possibly conduct further testing to determine if an anti-doping violation may have occurred.

The ISSF’s practice is to advise the Shooter of the adverse analytical finding through the Shooter’s Member Federation and to give the Shooter an opportunity to provide a written explanation. The ISSF Commission of Inquiry may seek additional input from the laboratory regarding whether the Shooter’s explanation is consistent with the positive test result. When the initial review is completed the ISSF decides whether or not to issues a formal notice claiming that a violation has occurred and that the disciplinary process will begin.

If the sample was collected during an international event, or during out-of-competition testing organized under the authority of the ISSF, the ISSF is responsible for the results management and hearing process.

If the sample was collected during a national-level event, or during out-of-competition testing organized under a Member Federation or a National Anti-Doping Organization’s authority, then depending on the structure of the athlete’s sporting bodies, either the National Anti-Doping Organization or the Member Federation is responsible for the hearing process.

It is desirable that all Shooters also familiarize themselves with their national level disciplinary process as it may differ from the ISSF’s disciplinary process.

- The ISSF Commission of Inquiry will seek to determine the full circumstances surrounding an alleged violation. It is advisable for the Shooter and all Member Federations to cooperate fully with any follow-up investigation conducted by the ISSF and to respond to enquiries from the ISSF fully and accurately. 

- It may be possible that upon understanding all of the circumstances and details of the alleged violation the ISSF will decide that no anti-doping rule was violated.

- The Shooter has the right to promptly request that his/her “B” sample be analyzed and to be present in person, with or by a representative, for this analysis. If the Shooter or his Member Federation does not request this right promptly, it may be deemed waived. Waiving the right to open the B sample amounts to an admission that the anti-doping rule violation has occurred.

- The Shooter may always choose to accept the ISSF notice that the ISSF anti-doping rule violation has been alleged, waive the required hearing and accept the normal suspension imposed. This is a perfectly acceptable position to take where the Shooter is prepared to acknowledge the violation and accept the all its consequences. Waiving the hearing will start the period of suspension immediately and save all the parties involved time, energy, and money.

- If the Shooter wishes to contest the claim by the ISSF that an anti-doping rule violation has taken place the following steps are advisable:

   * Understand what anti-doping rule, or rules, the ISSF is claiming have been violated. Read the relevant sections of the ISSF Anti-Doping Rules carefully.

   * As most of the hearings are documentary, gather and retain in an organized fashion all documentation relevant to the alleged violation. This includes the formal notice, ongoing investigation reports and all responses, the laboratory documentation, letters, e-mails, medical records, prescriptions and permissions.

   * Although the ISSF has the burden to prove that an anti-doping rule violation occurred, for the documentary hearing, the Shooter may wish to establish certain facts. Relevant and reliable evidence is required to do this and the Shooter must take responsibility for the collection, organization and submission of this material.