Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU)
The Athlete Passport Management Unit (APMU) operates within the Laboratory in accordance with the Polish Anti-Doping Act and the International Standards of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The APMU is responsible for the scientific management and evaluation of Athlete Biological Passports (ABP), which are designed to monitor athletes' individual biological profiles and identify changes that may indicate the use of prohibited substances or prohibited methods.
All evaluations are performed by independent experts in accordance with WADA International Standards, ensuring impartiality, confidentiality and the highest standards of scientific integrity.
Responsibilities
The main responsibilities of the APMU include:
- monitoring and evaluating Athlete Biological Passports;
- assessing longitudinal changes in athletes' biological markers;
- identifying atypical passport findings requiring expert review;
- providing recommendations to Anti-Doping Organizations to support intelligent target testing;
- supporting anti-doping results management by providing expert scientific opinions.
Athlete Biological Passport Modules
The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) programme currently consists of three modules:
Haematological Module
Monitors blood variables associated with oxygen transport in order to detect blood manipulation and other methods aimed at enhancing athletic performance.
Steroidal Module
Monitors an athlete's urinary steroid profile to identify the use of endogenous anabolic androgenic steroids.
Endocrine Module
Monitors biomarkers associated with human Growth Hormone (hGH) administration, including insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), to support the detection of growth hormone misuse in accordance with current WADA guidelines.
Organizational Structure
The APMU is headed by the APMU Director, Dr. Dorota Kwiatkowska.
The Unit consists of three specialized modules:
- Steroidal Module
- Haematological Module
- Endocrine Module
Each module is managed by a designated Module Manager, supported by a Deputy Manager and a team of qualified experts. Administrative and operational support is provided by the Laboratory.
The current organizational structure of the APMU is presented below.
Legal Framework
The operation of the Athlete Passport Management Unit in Poland is regulated by Article 47x of the Polish Anti-Doping Act of 21 April 2017, which establishes the APMU and defines its responsibilities within the Laboratory.
The activities of the APMU are conducted in accordance with the applicable World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) International Standards, including the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Operating Guidelines, covering the Haematological, Steroidal and Endocrine Modules.
References:
- Polish Anti-Doping Act of 21 April 2017.
- World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – International Standard for Results Management (ISRM).
- World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – Athlete Biological Passport Operating Guidelines.