Behind the Clipboard: An Inside Look at Doping Control with Olympian Mikel Thomas

Have You Ever Wondered What Happens When a Doping Control Officer Shows Up at an Archer’s Door?

For most Archery parents, the phrase "doping control" feels like something reserved for news headlines or Olympic dramas.

However, if your Archer is rising through the ranks, making national teams, or attending international tournaments, it isn't a distant reality. It’s a milestone. If the phrase "anti-doping" makes your stomach drop, this episode is an important one for you and your Archer.

In our latest episode of the Archery Parent Podcast, I sat down with Mikel Thomas, a 3-time Olympian who represented Trinidad and Tobago in both Athletics and Bobsleigh. (Yes, he was a multi-sport Winter and Summer athlete!) Mikel is also an Athlete Educator for the International Testing Agency (ITA).

Having spent over a decade in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) himself, Mikel joined me to strip away the fear, ditch the clinical jargon, and give our listeners a human, athlete-to-athlete breakdown of what clean sport really looks like on the ground.

We demystify and reframe the entire doping control process, moving away from the “policing” stigma and leaning heavily into what it really is: empowering clean sport.

(NOTE: If you’re an Archer who is eligible for testing, for the love of all things Archery, please tell your family and/or anyone’s home you might be staying at. Most parents know their athlete can be tested at an event (in-competition), but many do not realize that the possibility extends to the home or training facility, as out-of-competition. Let them know that someone could come to the door at any point in a day. Don’t let them be shocked if it happens.)

Reframing the Narrative: From "Policing" to “Firefighting"

One of Mikel’s biggest pain points is the actual term “anti-doping”. "It carries this heavy, negative stigma that has stuck around since the '80s," he explained. When we tell our athletes they are subject to "anti-doping," it automatically feels like an accusation.

Mikel prefers to talk about Clean Sport. When you reframe it as a collective effort to protect the purity and integrity of the game, the mindset shifts from fear to empowerment.

If a Doping Control Officer (DCO) approaches your Archer with a clipboard, it isn't a sign that they're in trouble. It’s a badge of honour. It is a confirmation of performance. It means their hard work is paying off, their rankings are climbing, and they’ve officially caught the eye of the sporting world.

The Reality of Testing: Behind the Doping Control Station Door(s)

Mikel walked us through exactly what happens when the testing process begins, emphasizing that the moment an athlete is notified, the protocol has officially begun.

• The Roles: A Doping Control Officer (DCO) conducts and oversees the process, while a chaperone accompanies the athlete to preserve the integrity of the sample and ensure athlete safety.
• Declaring Substances: During paperwork, athletes must declare every medication or supplement taken over the last seven days. Mikel advises parents and their athletes to keep a running log of these items in their phone's Notes app.
• The Minor Strategy: Navigating the Doping Control process alone can be incredibly stressful, especially for athletes under the age of 18. Mikel emphasized that all minors are required to have a representative to accompany them through the entire process. This is often a parent, coach, or team official. However, all athletes, no matter their age have the right to a representative during the process.
• The "Awkward" Part: Let’s be real: providing a urine sample while someone watches is uncomfortable. The DCO must observe the sample leaving the body to ensure tactics (like hidden devices) are not being used. Nobody touches anyone and strict distance is maintained at all times. To protect minors, Mikel explains the "triangle" protocol to keep everyone safe.
• The Waiting Game: You can't rush biology. If an Archer is dehydrated, not ready to go, or are shy, they still must provide a sample. Mikel revealed he has seen athletes in the doping control process for upwards of 16 hours, just waiting to produce a sample, noting that a minimum volume and clarity is necessary. It’s just part of the process.

Navigating Whereabouts, TUEs & Global Travel

Our conversation, then, went into the administrative side of clean sport, where small mistakes can lead to major consequences:

• Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs): If an Archer requires a banned substance for a legitimate health condition, such as medications for ADHD or asthma, they must submit a TUE ahead of time. Mikel notes that "emergency TUEs" can be filed, if an athlete requires urgent medical care while competing. These can be done through the team official or representative responsible for doping control education and compliance.
• The Global Travel Trap: Active ingredients in medications vary widely by country. A safe, over-the-counter medicine in Canada might contain a prohibited substance when purchased in the US, Europe, or Asia. These can be sold with the same name, branding, and packaging, but contain different or additional ingredients not required to be imprinted the label. Parents and Archers can use tools like Global DRO to verify both home-country and foreign prescribed and over-the-counter medications. All athletes are liable for whatever is put in or on their body, at all times.
• The Cannabis Nuance: Even where cannabis is legal (like in Canada), its regulation under the WADA code is complex and varies sport by sport.
• Whereabouts: Athletes who are required to log their location in a system called Whereabouts (ADAMS), do so for unannounced, out-of-competition tests. Not all eligible athletes are required to be registered in Whereabouts. Mikel warns that more athletes suffer from Whereabouts scheduling violations than actual doping violations. It’s important for athletes to stay on top of this process to prevent issues. Many athletes will receive help from a family member or agent to maintain their Whereabouts submissions. Mikel emphasizes the importance of "really digging" into the requirements and testing windows for your sport. Negligence is not an excuse. 

Going Deep: Real-World Scenarios

To understand why these tight protocols exist, we have to look at the real-world scenarios where things can go sideways. 

1. Whereabouts Non-Compliance vs. Doping Violations

Elite athletes must log their daily locations, so Doping Control personnel can find them for unannounced, out-of-competition tests. If a DCO shows up and the athlete is not in attendance, it counts as a missed test.

The Consequence: Under international rules, three Whereabouts failures within a 12-month period trigger an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV). The media often incorrectly reports this simply as a "failed drug test," affecting an athlete’s reputation.

2. The Case of Stillness in Precision Sports

In Archery, performance enhancement isn't about building muscle mass. It’s about stillness. This brings us to substances known to lower heart rate and even decrease physical tremors. In a sport where millimeters matter and can mean the difference between a 10 and a 9, use of these substances can be a massive, unfair advantage.

The Consequence: Because these substances are so effective at steadying the body, they are strictly prohibited (often completely) for Archery and other precision sports. Testing positive can result in multi-year bans and stripped medals.

3. Contaminated Supplements & Tricky Labels

Many athletes assume that if a supplement is bought over-the-counter at a reputable health food store, it must be safe. Mikel strongly warned against complacency, even with third-party testing. Because the supplement industry is loosely regulated, many manufacturing plants cross-contaminate products. If a factory processes a legal pre-workout on the same machinery used for a product containing a banned substance, trace amounts can wind up in your athlete’s permitted supplement.

The Consequence: Under the rule of Strict Liability, athletes are 100% responsible for whatever is found in their system, whether they knew it was there or not. A contaminated batch of a medication or supplement can lead to a suspension.

“Under the strict liability principle, an anti-doping rule violation occurs whenever Prohibited Substance is found in an Athlete’s bodily Specimen. The violation occurs whether or not the Athlete intentionally or unintentionally used a Prohibited Substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.” Article 2 Anti-Doping Rule Violations, 2.1, page 1.

Turning Compliance into Commercial Value

In the second half of the episode, Mikel shifted gears to talk about his project, Off Track, where he helps athletes build, protect, and monetize their personal brand with the Athlete Brand Playbook.

He challenges all athletes (and Archers) to view their commitment to clean sport as a competitive edge in business. Mikel’s advice? Look beyond typical sports brands. Align your story with brands that prize pillars of precision. By treating themselves as an authentic, clean-sport business, athlete’s can find creative ways to fund their competitive dreams. (Don't forget to make it “cinematic”!)

Mikel helps athletes with Name, Image, Likeness (NIL), sponsorship, storytelling, social media management, and extending their presence after competition.

Follow Mikel on Instagram for more information about Off Track and the Athlete Brand Playbook.

This is a really important episode for anyone curious about doping control and clean sport. Not every athlete will be tested, but it’s based on performance. Consider it as a milestone and confirmation of rising up the ranks.

See below for some FAQs and additional resources for clean sport and doping control.

If you have any questions, let us know.

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FAQs:

Q: What is the International Testing Agency (ITA) and how do they differ from WADA?

A: While WADA sets the global rules and prohibited substances lists, the ITA is an independent agency contracted out by sports federations to actually execute the anti-doping programs on the ground, managing everything from sample collection to results and worldwide education. Similar agencies include Sport Integrity Canada (formerly the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport), and USADA, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USA).

Q: What is the difference between a DCO and a chaperone?

A: A Doping Control Officer (DCO) is the official responsible for conducting and managing the actual testing process and sample collection. A chaperone is the person who initially notifies the athlete and continually accompanies them to protect the integrity of the sample and ensure the safety of the athlete.

Q: Who exactly is eligible to be selected for doping control?

A: Generally, anyone who is on a national team, attends an international event, or holds a specific world ranking is eligible. Sometimes a rising youth athlete will pop up on a world ranking before they make a formal national team, making them eligible for testing. In certain events, anyone who podiums can be subject to testing. Testing can take place in-competition or out-of-competition.

Q: Is university-level athletic testing handled the same way as international testing?

A: Not necessarily. University systems often use localized, randomized testing that may not test to the full depth of the official WADA Prohibited List.

Q: Can a major record be rejected if an anti-doping test isn't performed?

A: Yes. Mikel shared that if an athlete breaks a national or world record, that performance cannot be ratified unless a legalized anti-doping test is conducted within a strict timeframe following the event. He also noted that an athlete may have to travel to submit to testing, if it not done at the venue the record was attained.

Q: What is "evading" a test, and how does it happen?

A: Evading occurs when an athlete tries to leave the sight of a chaperone, delay the process unnecessarily, change the testing venue without permission, or get non-certified people to interfere. The moment you are notified, the process has legally begun and you cannot walk away or leave the chaperone's presence.

Q: Can media or cameras film inside the Doping Control Station?

A: No. The Doping Control Station is a strictly private, secured area. No filming or photography is allowed by the media, parents, or the athletes themselves to protect the security of the process and the privacy of any other athletes present.

Q: Why do athletes have to write down everything they’ve taken over the last 7 days?

A: During the paperwork phase, athletes must declare every medication or supplement they have used recently. This creates an official paper trail.

Q: What is a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption)?

A: A TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) is a formal medical exemption that allows an athlete to use a banned or restricted medication due to an official medical diagnosis. Mikel shared that TUEs are commonly sought for ADHD or asthma medications. This is typically done administratively via a team official or representative responsible for doping control education and management.

Q: Can you apply for a TUE after you've already taken a medication?

A: While you should always file a TUE ahead of time, there are provisions for "emergency TUEs". For example, if an athlete suffers an unexpected emergency or medical event and requires immediate treatment, an emergency TUE can be filed retroactively as a safety cushion.

Q: Why is it risky to buy over-the-counter medication while traveling internationally?

A: Active ingredients change from country to country. A brand-name medication bought over-the-counter in Canada might contain completely different, prohibited chemical formulations when bought under the same name in the USA, Europe, Latin America, or Asia.

Q: What is the "Registered Testing Pool" (RTP)?

A: This is a highly elite or emerging elite group of athletes chosen based on rankings. Athletes in the RTP (Registered Testing Pool) are subject to year-round, unannounced out-of-competition testing at their homes, training facilities, or temporary residences.

Q: Can parents be in the room for an unannounced in-home test?

A: Yes. If an athlete is under 18 and a DCO arrives at a private residence, parents, family member, or other representative are to act as the vital third-party presence to ensure the process is safe, secure, and in compliance. For athletes over the age of 18, parents or a team representative may be present.

Q: How do anti-doping rules apply to recreational cannabis use?

A: This is incredibly sport-specific and highly nuanced. Even where cannabis is legal socially (like in Canada), WADA looks at safety demands and any benefits use may provide. 

References, Movies, and Essential Resources

A Cinematic Look at Doping Control

If you want to visually understand the mechanisms, pressures, and flaws of the global anti-doping system, add these titles to your next movie night:

• Icarus (2017): An absolute must-watch. An amateur cyclist and film maker attempts to self-experiment with performance drugs to see if he can bypass standard testing, only to accidentally stumble into exposing a massive, state-sponsored doping conspiracy. It perfectly illustrates how easily sample security can be compromised when systems fail.
• The Ben Johnson Story : Mikel explicitly noted this project. It re-examines the infamous 1988 Seoul Olympics scandal that forever altered the cultural landscape of "anti-doping" terminology and sports media scrutiny.

Operational Resources for Archery Parents

Bookmark these sites immediately to keep you and your archer in the know:

• Global DRO: GlobalDRO.com – The absolute gold standard. Type in a medication name and country to see instantly if it is legal, banned, or requires a TUE. There are variations from sport to sport and in-competition/out-of-competition.
• International Testing Agency: ita.sport/athlete-hub – Access clear, athlete-to-athlete educational webinars and toolkits.
• Sport Integrity Canada: sportintegrity.ca – The newly updated home for Canadian clean sport standards, therapeutic exemptions, and athlete rights.
• Mikel Thomas Branding: Reach out to Mikel directly to explore the Athlete Brand Playbook, digital presence building, and how to secure corporate sponsorships. Instagram and Threads: @mikel_thomas