Italy’s national anti-doping agency (NADO Italia) reported 119 adverse analytical findings (AAFs) during 2019, 1.32% of the 9,022 doping controls it performed during the year. The largest number of doping tests were conducted in football, Italy’s most popular sport. However, only two AAFs were reported, 0.06% of the 3,356 tests performed on footballers during the year. Both of these related to cocaine, often considered as a recreational drug taken without intent to enhance sporting performance.

By comparison, 15 AAFs were reported in cycling, 0.9% of the 1,740 tests performed in the sport during the year. Substances detected included exogenous testosterone, triamcinolone, EPO, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which are considered substances commonly used to enhance performance. As the table on the right illustrates, it would appear that American football in Italy also has a doping problem. It reported three AAFs involving 11 substances, 3.7% of the 81 tests performed in the sport during 2019.

As the graph on the right illustrates, the most commonly detected category of substance was anabolic agents (23%). This was followed by diuretics and masking agents (21%); glucocorticoids and stimulants (both on 16%); and cannabis (10%).

NADO Italia also reported 110 ‘whereabouts failures’ during the year. Athletes who are members of an international registered testing pool must provide a location where they will be available for testing for one hour each day three months in advance (although locations can later be amended). This is in addition to where they will be sleeping (e.g. home residence) and their regular activities (e.g. training schedules). Failure to file the correct information or failure to be present at their stated location results in a ‘whereabouts failure’. Three ‘whereabouts failures’ in 12 months is considered equivalent to an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV).

NADO Italia’s 2019 Annual Report (PDF below) also reveals the heavy case load its anti-doping tribunal (TNA) must process. During the first session of the year, it dealt with 240 disciplinary procedures, 134 of which were concluded and 106 of which are pending. During the second session of the year, it dealt with 52 disciplinary proceedings, 39 of which were concluded and 13 of which are pending.