The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has granted approval to the National Dope Testing Laboratory (NDTL) to function as an Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU). This designation enables the NDTL to manage the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program, reinforcing efforts to ensure clean sports and protect athletes’ integrity.

About Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)

The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) is an advanced anti-doping tool designed to monitor and analyze biological markers of athletes over time.

Purpose and Function:

• It helps maintain fair play in sports by identifying anomalies in biological markers such as blood and steroid profiles.
• It supports anti-doping efforts through targeted testing, investigations, deterrence, and as indirect evidence for prohibited methods or substances.

Applications:

• Facilitates targeted anti-doping tests for athletes with abnormal profiles.
• Acts as corroborative evidence in doping violation cases, strengthening the case against athletes who engage in illicit practices.

Modules of the ABP Program

Currently, the ABP program consists of three distinct modules, each aimed at detecting specific forms of doping:

Haematological Module:

• Focuses on markers of blood doping by analyzing blood samples.
• Aims to detect prohibited substances or methods that enhance oxygen transport or delivery, such as erythropoietin (EPO) or blood transfusions.

Steroidal Module:

• Monitors markers of steroid doping through urine or serum samples.
• Identifies the exogenous administration of Endogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (EAAS), ensuring compliance with steroid regulations.

Endocrine Module:

• Tracks markers of human growth hormone (hGH) doping and the use of hGH analogs.
• Enables precise detection of substances that promote unfair physical enhancement.