The AIU operates independently of World Athletics and is responsible for managing all aspects of the anti-doping program for athletics.
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World Athletics’ anti-doping watchdog, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), has sent a letter to Athletics New Zealand, inquiring about the insufficient drug testing conducted on its athletes who competed at the 2022 world championships in Eugene, Oregon. The AIU sought an explanation for the low number of tests, given that Drug-Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ), the country’s anti-doping agency, conducted less than half the usual number of tests across all sports leading up to the world championships due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the government.
Drug-Free Sport New Zealand boss Nick Paterson stated that the pandemic’s impact had made it impossible to conduct testing as they had not been able to safely access athletes. The organization’s overall testing numbers for the year up to June 2022 were approximately 50% of what they would typically conduct in a year. However, DFSNZ has resumed strong testing since July 2022, and they anticipate collecting more samples in a 12-month period than at any prior time in their history for the year up to June 2023.
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Athletics New Zealand responded to the AIU’s letter by clarifying that the reduced testing leading up to the 2022 world championships was due to COVID-19 restrictions, which impacted DFSNZ’s ability to conduct tests. Athletics NZ also shared that the AIU had accepted their explanation. The federation stated that they have now developed a plan with DFSNZ to test the pool of athletes who may qualify for the upcoming athletics world championships in Budapest. This plan has been shared and accepted by the AIU.
Drug-Free Sport New Zealand’s Paterson emphasized that there would be no sanctions for lower-than-expected testing numbers, as the global pandemic had far-reaching effects that were mostly out of everyone’s control. Nevertheless, the organization remains committed to conducting robust testing to ensure fair play in athletics. It is encouraging that DFSNZ has since resumed testing and plans to exceed its prior sample collection record. However, the reduced testing levels leading up to the 2022 world championships are concerning, especially given the importance of ensuring a level playing field for all athletes. However, the AIU has accepted Athletics New Zealand’s explanation and the organization has also developed a plan for future testing.
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The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is an independent organization that was established in 2017 by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now known as World Athletics, to combat doping and other integrity issues in the sport of athletics. The AIU operates independently of World Athletics and is responsible for managing all aspects of the anti-doping program for athletics, including conducting testing, investigating potential violations, and prosecuting cases. The AIU also manages the athlete biological passport program, which monitors changes in an athlete’s blood profile over time to detect signs of doping.
In addition to its anti-doping efforts, the AIU is also responsible for investigating other integrity issues in athletics, such as bribery, manipulation of competitions, and breaches of the World Athletics Code of Conduct. The AIU is led by a board of directors and a team of experienced anti-doping and investigative experts. The organization works closely with national anti-doping organizations, law enforcement agencies, and other sports organizations to share information and coordinate efforts to protect the integrity of athletics.
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