Audio By Carbonatix
Gabby Thomas and her friends are on a first-name basis with the antidoping agents who administer random drug tests for track and field. They could literally show up anywhere at any time.
The system for athletes to report their whereabouts is far more intrusive than I previously realized.
It is impossible for a track and field athlete to go out in public without someone tracking them. Their next drug test is always right around the corner.
Gabby Thomas can’t even drink coffee in peace!
Thomas currently lives in Austin, Texas to train with coach Tonja Buford-Bailey. As the reigning Olympic champion in the 200-meter flat, she is currently in between circuits.
The 28-year-old signed on to join Grand Slam Track prior to its inaugural season. Michael Johnson’s competitive series lasted only three events before it folded for the year. Thomas has yet to be paid her portion of the $12 million promised to the athletes and would like to see the money soon.
In the meantime, she is staying fit down in Texas with the U.S. Championships right around the corner.
However, even the most high-profile athletes deserve a break. Gabby Thomas swung by the most recent ‘Coffee and Chill’ event over the weekend. It might’ve been a sponsored thing but she was just chilling.
And then, all of a sudden, the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) arrived out of nowhere!
Thomas, by rule, is required to stop what she is doing in that moment. She must first provide a urine sample. The Blood Collection Officer will also draw two different vials of blood samples.
Track and field athletes are never alone.
This kind of occurrence is not uncommon. In fact, it is the standard in this sport.
One commenter asked (somewhat sarcastically) if WADA is tracking Gabby Thomas with life360. Although it was a joke, it is not that far off from reality.
“We have a web app where we have to log where we are gonna be each day so they can surprise us lol,” Thomas replied.
The app to which she refers is called ADAMS, the Anti-Doping Management System. Athletes must log their overnight location and training times, as well as any plans they might have that day. They must also provide a one-hour window that would work best for potential testing.
Some of the stories about random drug tests are hilarious.
“I had to take mine to the New York Jets facility to drop my fiance off for work a few years ago,” said Olympian Rachel Dincoff.
“We once got my wife’s USADA agent to do deadlifts with us on our new hex bar since we were in the middle of a workout,” laughed Alexandra Burkert.
Craig Engels got tested at a random bowling alley in the middle of nowhere Wyoming earlier this year. It could be anywhere!
Missed drug tests have repercussions.
Gabby Thomas is very aware of what could happen if an athlete does not adhere to a required test. She was provisionally suspended by the Athletics Integrity Unit for missing three anti-doping tests within a 12-month period back in 2020.
Fortunately, her suspension was lifted in July of that year. The American sprinter was cleared after an investigation because one of the missed tests could not be established.
It is a very serious ordeal. Track and field athletes are constantly being watched with an Anti-Doping agent right waiting in the shadows to take their blood!