From http://insidetri.com/portal/news/news.asp?item=110492:
ITU announces WADA will also test age groupers at Hamburg World Championships
This report filed - August 16, 2007
By Timothy Carlson / from ITU release
The International Triathlon Union recently sent a letter to all national federations announcing that age group amateurs should be prepared to submit urine and blood samples for pre-and post-competition drug testing at the 2007 ITU Olympic distance Triathlon World Championship in Hamburg Germany August 30-September 2.
While the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), on behalf of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) has been engaged in rigorous testing of professional triathletes who might qualify for Olympic competition, age group amateurs have largely been left out of the official anti-doping testing until now.
For the first time, the ITU will require athletes taking part at the ITU Age Group World Championships to present medical certificates, including medical diagnosis and prescribed substances. The ITU statement asserted that their officials “reserve its right to evaluate their presented certificates and to deny the acceptance.”
While the number of doping positives among professional triathletes has risen, the IOC’s Dick Pound has speculated that wealthy age group amateur triathletes, who previously faced little or zero doping controls, might be engaging in performance enhancing drug use.
The following were official notices posted by USA Triathlon and the ITU announcing the new policy.
**USA Triathlon statement **
"Dear Team USA athletes, "This letter was just sent out to all National Federations. It is critical that you read over this document and contact us immediately if you take any medication that could be questionable. Age Group athletes will be undergoing drug testing. To make sure you are playing by the rules, be sure to read this letter and email teamusa@usatriathlon.org with any medication or health issues we need to be aware of.
"Thank you,
“Team USA.”
ITU Statement
"Dear representatives of the National Triathlon Federations,
"On behalf of the International Triathlon Union and the German Triathlon Federation, the hosts and organizers of the Hamburg BG Triathlon World Championships would like us to inform you about some important details in regards to the handling and execution of the current ITU Anti-Doping Program during the event in Germany:
"During the World Championships, the ITU will carry out a high number of doping controls. In conformity with the International Standards for Testing urine samples will be taken, as well as blood samples. Thereby Age Group, Junior, Under 23 and Elite athletes will all be monitored. The ITU intensifies its fight against doping by conducting strict pre-competition controls beside the regular competition controls.
"We want you to forward the following information to all of your national athletes taking part in Hamburg - as soon as possible:
"According to the WADA Code and rule 4.4. of the ITU Anti-Doping Rules each participating athlete with documented medical conditions requiring the use of a prohibited substance or a prohibited method basically has to exhibit a therapeutic use exemption (TUE). Thereby, each athlete is generally obliged to provide a TUE issued by ITU (Rule 4.4.2.).
"For the purpose of these provisions the ITU and the anti-doping administrator will accept for the facilitation of the result management the following:
"1. For Junior, U 23 and elite competitors: TUE´s issued by their National Anti-Doping-Organizations in compliance with the WADA-Code and the International Standard for TUE.
"2. For athletes taking part at the ITU Age Group World Championships: the presentation of medical certificates including medical diagnosis and prescribed substances. In relation to the facilitation for Age Group athletes, the ITU reserves its right to evaluate their presented certificates and to deny the acceptance.
"During the BG Triathlon World Championships 2007 testing will take place for the juniors, U23, elite and age group athletes. In case they are chosen to be tested the athlete needs to carry a copy of his identity card including a photo.
"ITU assumes no liability for drinks or food every athlete ingests during the race. ITU cautions all athletes about possible ingredients being part of the list of prohibited substances in context with the ITU anti-doping rules and the WADA prohibited list.
"Also the intake of food supplements - before and during the race - happens at the athletes’ own risk. With possible ITU anti-doping rule violations in mind each athlete should urgently inform himself on the ingredients of these supplements before every intake.
“Please submit the TUEs or the Medical Certificates to Leslie Buchanan at leslie.buchanan@triathlon.org or fax at 1.604.904.9249. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. ITU and the DTU (German Triathlon Federation)”