In 2025, a total of 2,545 tests were carried out in accordance with FINCIS’s national testing programme. Testing co-operation with various parties went well, and athletes, competition organisers and international sports federations were satisfied.
The testing activities were carried out in accordance with the International Standard for Testing and Investigations under the World Anti-Doping Code. The number and allocation of tests are based on several factors, such as the physical requirements of the sport, the benefit of doping, the size of the sport, the international level of Finnish athletes, the professionalism of the sport and previous anti-doping rule violations. In particular, out-of-competition testing focuses on sports with high physical demands and clear benefits from doping.
In 2025, a significant proportion of tests were targeted at athletes aiming for the Milano Cortina Olympic Games, including NHL ice hockey players. Thanks to the additional funding received, the number of tests under the national testing programme increased. Last year, Finland also carried out an exceptionally large number of tests on behalf of national anti-doping organisations and international federations, which increased the number of tests carried out by FINCIS to 3,097.
“Numerous international events were organised in Finland, where FINCIS was the party carrying out the testing. In these events, the tests are owned and the athletes to be tested are ordered by the international sports federation, but FINCIS’s doping control officers collect the samples. Co-operation with various parties has gone well,” says FINCIS’s Doping Control Manager Katja Huotari.
Three anti-doping rule violations were discovered under the national doping control programme of FINCIS. In addition, the hearing of two cases was transferred to the anti-doping organisations of the countries of the athletes in question: the United Kingdom (UK Anti-Doping) and the United States (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency).
Athletes’ experiences of testing
FINCIS collects feedback on the test situation and doping control from tested athletes. In 2025, the majority of athletes (95 per cent) rated the testing situation as very good or good, and the majority felt that the amount of testing was appropriate in their sport. Critical feedback was mainly given on the test facilities, which were sometimes considered uncomfortable and compromising athletes’ privacy. The testing staff received special praise for their friendliness and for creating a safe atmosphere.
“Athletes’ trust in doping control is of paramount importance to us. It is extremely pleasant that the majority of the athletes feel that the test situations are well-arranged and safe. At the same time, the feedback helps us to further improve the testing conditions. The criticism of the test facilities has been distributed to the sports federations and competition organisers who manage the test facilities during the competitions,” says Huotari.
Further information:
Susanna Sokka
FINCIS Communication Manager
tel. +358 40 740 7477