Statistical data collected during urine collection for doping control at the Athens 2004 olympic games and recommendations to improve the urine collection process

The purpose of this study is to present for the first time statistical data on several parameters of urine sample collection for doping control, illustrate statistically significant correlations and introduce recommendations based on the findings in order to improve the urine collection process. A total of 2863 urine samples were collected (58.0% from male athletes, 42.0% from female athletes. On average, 96 urine samples were collected and analysed daily. The maximum number of samples collected and analysed was on 21st August 2004, with 222 urine samples. Several parameters of urine collection have been evaluated, such as time needed for athletes to wait in the Doping Control Station (DCS) (average 23.7 min), total time elapsed between notification and sample collection (average 71.6 min), average volume of sample collected (125 ± 27.4 ml) and average specific gravity of urine sample (1.016 ± 0.008). Positive correlation between total time elapsed between notification and sample collection and the urine volume produced by the athlete has been found (r=0.175, p=0.01). Sport is also found to strongly affect the sample collection parameters. Process to collect additional (2.97% of the total urine samples) and partial samples (12.0% of the total urine samples is also evaluated. A positive correlation is found between the specific gravity of the first and the additional urine sample (r=0.261, p=0.05). In addition, 27.5% of the additional samples presented the same specific gravity with the first urine collection and 16.5% less than the original. All the above seriously suggest a modification of the procedure for collecting an additional sample. The Doping Control Official Record (DCOR) included for the first time a document requesting the Athlete's permission to use his sample after the analytical procedure had been concluded for research purposes without consequences. 69.7% of the athletes tested consented. In conclusion, the results showed that there were no significant problems with the collection process and both the IOC representatives and the International Federations' trusted the Doping Control Officers (DCOs) of the Athens 2004 Organising Committee, since in only 18.3% and 36.3% of the tests, respectively, they actually attended and overviewed the procedure. ©PHARMAKON-Press