CAP Whereabouts
When are requirements changing?
Athletes will see the updated requirements when filing their Q1 2027 Whereabouts information, which is due December 15, 2026. While CAP athletes will continue to NOT be subject to Whereabouts Failures, they will be subject to compliance action starting January 1, 2027 if Whereabouts requirements are not met.
Why are we making these changes?
We are making these changes to ensure that Whereabouts requirements are clear for CAP athletes and that USADA and IFs receive the information needed to complete testing. More explanation regarding the reasons for the changing requirements is provided below.
- Clearer filing process: Athletes have told us that the CAP summary page can be confusing and difficult to update. The new calendar view in Athlete Connect will make it easier to enter, review, and update daily information.
- Clearer expectations: The updated requirements will standardize and harmonize what information athletes provide and update, including travel, training camps, extended stays, international travel, and Olympic & Paralympic Training Center visits.
- Fewer follow-ups: More complete information will reduce the need for USADA or National Governing Bodies to contact athletes to confirm their location or return date when their schedule changes.
- Reliable testing: Detailed, current Whereabouts information helps testing personnel locate athletes efficiently, particularly during high-volume or targeted testing periods, such as pre-Games preparation.
- Updated international rules: Beginning in 2027, testing personnel will no longer be able to use phone calls to help locate athletes at the time of testing. Accurate written information will therefore be increasingly important.
- Reduced RTP burden: More detailed CAP filings may reduce the need to move athletes into the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) to fulfill testing. CAP athletes will continue to NOT be subject to Whereabouts Failures.
- Fair competition: Clear, consistent requirements help support effective testing and a level playing field as athletes prepare for major events, including Lima, LA28, and beyond.
What is changing?
Each quarter, athletes in the CAP will need to submit all Whereabouts information through Athlete Connect. Quarterly filings must include the following information for every day of the quarter:
- An overnight location
- A primary training location (specific times do not have to be included)
- Any upcoming competitions
Athletes must update this information as soon as they become aware of changes. If they do not have a primary training location because they are not training on certain days or date ranges, they will be required to state that they are not training that day.
Athletes may also provide additional information that could help us locate them for testing, such as travel details or other relevant schedule information.
Athlete Connect will provide a calendar view to make it easier to review, enter, and update all daily information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the question to drop down the answer.
What is a “primary training” location?
“Primary training” is the location where you are most likely to train or practice your sport. If you do not have a fixed training location, you will enter the address or coordinates where you normally start and/or finish training. If there are days of the week you don’t train at this location (e.g., Tuesdays and Thursdays), please indicate No Training in the custom interval option and provide a reason in the required field.
What do I do if I’m traveling?
If you are traveling, you will update your primary training location for the relevant date range by providing a new training location or indicating No Training and providing a reason in the required field.
There is an option in Athlete Connect to add times – do I need to do that?
Athletes do not need to add times to their primary training location even though there is an option to do so in Athlete Connect. If athletes choose to add times, they are not required to keep those times updated if their schedules change.
What happens if I forget to update or file by the deadline?
CAP athletes are not subject to Whereabouts Failures. However, athletes can receive CAP Compliance Warnings if required information is not submitted, updated, accurate, or sufficient.
You may receive a Compliance Warning if you:
- Do not submit your quarterly filing by the deadline
- Do not update your overnight location when it changes
- Do not update your primary training location as it is not geographically accurate any more or the location becomes inaccurate
- Do not update or provide required competition information
- Provide information that is inaccurate or insufficient to reasonably locate you for testing
If you receive Compliance Warnings within a 12-month period, you will be moved into the USADA RTP for a minimum of nine months.
Is there anything I can do after receiving a CAP Compliance Warning?
The CAP Compliance Warning process gives athletes an opportunity to respond before a final decision is made. The relevant steps are detailed below.
- USADA will send you an email notice of an apparent Compliance Warning, generally within 14 days of receipt of the Unsuccessful Attempt.
- You will have 14 days from the date of the Compliance Warning notice to submit a written response and provide relevant explanation or supporting information.
- If you respond, USADA will review the information and make a final decision within 14 days of receiving your response, unless additional investigation is needed.
- If no response is received within 14 days, the apparent Compliance Warning will be upheld, and you will receive notice of the final decision.
- After receiving notice of an apparent Compliance Warning, you remain subject to additional Compliance Warnings for ongoing issues.
How do compliance requirements vary between USADA’s RTP and CAP?
Athletes in USADA’s RTP and CAP are subject to varying compliance criteria. The following section outlines the different requirements for each pool. At least once a year, athletes in either pool must also complete Athlete’s Advantage®, an online education tutorial that provides information related to anti-doping requirements for RTP and CAP athletes. Athletes must complete the tutorial prior to providing and/or confirming personal information.
| RTP | CAP |
|---|---|
| Basic contact info | Basic contact info |
| Tutorial completion | Tutorial completion |
| Passport-style photo | Passport-style photo |
| Daily overnight | Daily overnight |
| Daily 60-minute time slot | |
| Primary training location (times not required) | Primary training location (times not required) |
| Competitions | Competitions |
| Other locations | Other locations |
| Travel | Travel |
| Requires updating information | Requires updating information |