With the controversy at hand, I thought I’d take this chance to inform people on anti-doping procedures, the athletes’ experience and what is required of them in meeting WADA (World Anti-Doping Association) standards. 

Any athletes participating in the Rio Games are liable to be tested and have an obligation to meet certain requirements. 

Top-level athletes can be put on the RTP (Registered Testing Pool), which is a database of athletes that can be tested randomly to show their commitment to doping-free sport.

These athletes are required to inform the testers of their whereabouts every day throughout the year, which must include a 60-minute window where they can definitely be located, without excuse. 

Depending on their level of competition, athletes are tested randomly throughout the year ranging from once per quarter to numerous times per month.

The most I have been tested was three times in the space of ten days, twice out of competition, once in. I read earlier this year Rob Heffernan had been tested 24 times in the first six months of 2016. 

Out-of-competition testing consists of testers arriving at your listed location, unannounced, and taking samples of blood, urine or both.

Athletes also have a section to declare anything they may have taken and, if prescribed and registered, are allowed take medicines required for illnesses and injury.

The testers usually come in teams of two and are always highly professional and polite in their operations.

For bloods, the athlete must remain rested for 20 minutes before collection to avoid irregular hormone levels. For urine, the tester follows the athlete to the bathroom and observes the sample deposit, to avoid athlete tampering. 

All official paperwork required is completed throughout the session and the athlete has a section to comment on any areas they feel necessary, be that good or bad.

All in all, while following procedures, the athlete is very much in control in that they choose the collection containers, the testing utensils and they sign off on all elements.

Athletes also have a section to declare anything they may have taken and, if prescribed and registered, are allowed take medicines required for illnesses and injury.

With all the education and information from their individual sports federations, coupled with workshops, leaflets and an app to check medical clearance, the buck stops with the athlete and they alone are responsible for what they consume.

* Darren O'Neill fought for Ireland at the London Olympics in 2012, captaining the Irish boxing team at the Games.