What are testing pools and why are whereabouts important for clean sport?

Out-of-competition testing with no-advance notice is one of the most powerful means of deterrence and detection of doping. To support this type of testing, the ISTAF will create testing pools as part of its testing program. 

Certain athletes in the ISTAF testing pools, such as those in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) , are required to provide information on their whereabouts in ADAMS, WADA’s online anti-doping administration and management system. 

How do athletes know they need to provide whereabouts?

Athletes who need to provide whereabouts in ADAMS are notified by the ISTAF of their inclusion in a testing pool as well as what information exactly is required of them, how to use ADAMS, deadlines to submit this information and any consequences if the information required is not submitted.

What do RTP/TP athletes need to know? 

Should athletes have any query on ADAMS, such as how to submit whereabouts, please refer to the ADAMS Help Center or contact ISTAF.

Tips for RTP/TP athletes

• Set a calendar reminder of the key dates/deadlines to submit quarterly whereabouts information

• For RTP athletes only: Set an alarm for the start of the 60-minute time slot

• Be as specific as possible when submitting your whereabouts information

• Make modifications to your whereabouts information when changes occur

• If you have any doubts, please contact admin@sepaktakraw.org  or use the ADAMS Help Centre if you require technical support with ADAMS

• Download the app Athlete Central in order to facilitate all the processes related to the whereabouts system

• Check the WADA Q&A Whereabouts

• Check the At-a-Glance: Athlete Whereabouts

What should athletes do if they wish to retire or return to competition after retiring?

All ISTAF athletes who decide to retire from competition must inform ISTAF.

For RTP athletes, as soon as the retirement is officially confirmed to the ADO, the athlete will be withdrawn from the ADO’s RTP with immediate effect. If an athlete wishes to resume competing, they will not be able to do so until they have given the ADO written notice of their intent to resume competition (i.e. by completing and sending a Return to Competition Form) and made themselves available for testing for a period of six months.