The first 50 Dried Blood Spot samples have been taken as part of the current research project. The project, which also involves Olympic athletes that participated at the Beijing Olympic Winter Games, was initiated in the fall of 2021 by the National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) in collaboration with the Institute of Biochemistry at the German Sport University Cologne and Sportradar to further develop the Testing Programme.
After an extensive data protection review and approval by the Ethics Committee of the German Sport University Cologne, the new project could start in December 2021. To avoid direct contact between athletes and control personnel in times of the COVID-19 pandemic, this research project will further develop the approach of digital testing already used in 2020. For the first time, a remote testing solution is now being tested. Since the beginning of the project, a newly developed app has already been optimised in such a way that the administrative part of the testing process can be completely mapped with it. Furthermore, new test kits are being used, in which various sealing options are being tested in practice in addition to manageability.
At the same time, the Dried Blood Spot samples collected as part of the project form a valid basis to better protect clean athletes from unjustified doping accusations, e.g. due to contamination by impure food or acts of manipulation. The experience gained in the field of long-term stored samples and Dried Blood Spot analysis will be used to develop appropriate detection methods. Due to the uncomplicated handling of the rapid Dried Blood Spot tests in the remote procedure, an increased use is possible. This makes the testing programme more flexible and further increases the deterrence effect.
Besides the research project, NADA Germany has been using the Dried Blood Spot technique routinely in addition to classic blood and urine tests since September 2021.