How do they test athlete for drugs?

Athletic Drug TestingThe most common method of testing is chemical analysis using a urine sample. An athlete at the Olympics is required to give two urine samples (commonly refered to in the media as the A and B samples - which are kept in separate places). The A sample is tested chemically for substances on the banned substance list. If a substance is detected in the A sample the B sample is then tested. If both samples are positive for a banned substance then the athlete is asked to explain the findings at a hearing.