The Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) is a specialized unit within the global anti-doping system. Its main role is to manage and evaluate an athlete’s biological passport—a scientific tool used to detect doping.
What is the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)?
The ABP monitors selected biological variables over time that indirectly reveal the effects of doping, rather than detecting the substance itself.
It typically includes:
Hematological module: Detects blood doping (like EPO use or blood transfusions)
Steroidal module: Detects steroid use
Endocrine module (in development): For detecting hormonal manipulation.
So, What Does the APMU Do?
The APMU works under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines. Its responsibilities include:
Monitoring athlete data from doping control tests (e.g., blood and urine samples).
Flagging suspicious profiles or abnormalities in the ABP.
Coordinating with experts and laboratories for further review.
Making recommendations for targeted testing or further investigation.
Supporting anti-doping organizations (ADOs) in pursuing potential violations.
Why Is It Important?
Traditional testing can miss micro-dosing or timing-based evasion.
The ABP and APMU system provides a long-term view of an athlete’s physiology, making it harder to cheat undetected.
It allows for evidence-based prosecution even when no banned substance is directly detected.
Who Runs It?
APMUs are operated by WADA-accredited laboratories or anti-doping organizations.
They collaborate with international federations, national anti-doping agencies, and WADA to ensure athletes stay clean.
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