Risk groups
Based on a structured and transparent risk assessment, all sports and disciplines monitored by NADA Germany are assigned to a risk group. This classification serves as the starting point for assigning athletes to the individual testing pools and distributing the available resources within the doping control plan. The aim is to realistically assess doping risks in individual sports and disciplines and to carry out controls where they make the most sense. You can find more information on this page.
There are three levels of risk:
- Risk group A (high doping risk),
- Risk group B (medium doping risk) and
- Risk group C (low doping risk).
Which risk group is assigned to which sport/discipline depends on the following factors:
The following factors in particular are taken into account in the risk assessment:
Physiological and physical factors
An assessment is made of the physical and performance-related physiological demands of a sport or discipline. Disciplines that place high demands on endurance, strength, speed, or recovery capacity carry an increased risk of performance-enhancing measures.
Incentives and pressure to perform
The risk assessment takes into account the potential benefits and incentives associated with the use of prohibited substances or methods. These include, for example, financial prospects such as prize money and sponsorship, as well as structural advantages at various performance and competition levels. Media coverage and public interest are also taken into account in the assessment.
Doping history
The evaluation of doping history reflects the tendency for doping in a sport or its discipline(s). This evaluation takes into account, among other things, past doping cases and the number of adverse analytical findings (AAFs) and anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) in recent years at the national and international level.
Available information and evidence
In this area, evidence from the intelligence and investigations sector is incorporated into the risk assessment. This includes evidence from whistleblowing platforms, reports from doping control personnel, and other evidence from the sporting environment. Available statistical data, research papers, and reports are also used. Information from WADA or WADA-accredited laboratories is also taken into account.
National factor
In order to take the national factor into account in the risk assessment, the successes of German athletes in national and international competitions, their reporting behavior and availability for doping controls, as well as experience and findings from NADA Germany testing are also taken into consideration.
In the further detailed doping control planning, additional aspects such as certain phases within the season, points in the sporting career, performance developments, etc. are also taken into account.
In addition, there is an exchange with other anti-doping organizations that are also responsible for conducting doping controls, such as international federations. However, the risk assessment is carried out independently of each other.
The international guidelines, in particular the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI) and the Technical Document for Sport Specific Analysis (TDSSA), also form a binding basis.
An overview of the classification of risk groups can be found here:
