Sample collection personnel are the unsung heroes of clean sport. Their role is all about guiding athletes through their testing experience and making sure that everybody is doing the right thing to maintain the integrity of the process. 

In the next two posts, you’ll hear directly from the people who do the work—what their day looks like, the challenges they tackle, and why they love being part of something bigger than themselves. Spoiler alert: it’s not just about collecting samples; it’s about trust, respect, and a shared commitment to integrity. 

Today, we hear from the manager of the doping control process, the Doping Control Officer. 

"As Doping Control Officers, our job is to manage the sample collection process for anti-doping testing to make sure it’s done fairly, respectfully and by the book. We’re the people that athletes meet when it’s time to be tested. This can be early in the morning or late at night. It can be in the athlete's home, at a training ground, at a competition or somewhere else entirely.  

"Once the chaperone has notified the athlete and accompanied them to the doping control station, a DCO explains to the athlete their rights and responsibilities, then guides them through the process – from signing documents to separating and sealing their sample. 

"Depending on the Commission’s instructions, we might collect urine, blood, or dried blood spot samples. Sometimes it’s quick. Other times, it takes a while—especially if the athlete has just finished competing or isn’t well hydrated. 

"Once the sample is collected, we make sure it’s handled securely and sent either back to the Commission or directly to the lab. Every step is recorded through a chain of custody process. We follow strict procedures to protect the sample and make sure it arrives safely for analysis. There are many checks and balances to make sure that every collection is secure and fair. This is how we build trust in the anti-doping system. 

"As sample collection personnel, we work across all levels of sport, from local competitions to international events. That means we meet a wide range of people—elite athletes, weekend warriors, coaches, team staff and sometimes family members. Each situation is different. Some are relaxed; others are emotionally charged. We have to read the room, stay calm, and treat everyone with respect while still maintaining the integrity of the process.  

"Being a DCO means showing up with professionalism, empathy, and attention to detail. We’re not just there to manage the process or enforce rules—we’re there to protect the integrity of sport."

Learn more about the doping control process