Jan 28, 2010 - WADA’s President John Fahey expressed its satisfaction following the decision of a provincial court in Almeria, Spain, to reject the appeal of cyclist Carlos Roman Golbano. This cyclist was challenging the legitimacy of the whereabouts information system implemented by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

The latest court decision confirmed a sentence issued in 2007 by a Spanish court which ruled that the implementation of the whereabouts program by UCI does not breach individual rights guaranteed by the Spanish Constitution, in particular in respect of the protection of privacy. In addition, the latest court decision ruled that the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) developed by WADA adequately protects athlete confidentiality and personal data. WADA supported the UCI as part of the initial action.

“Whereabouts information is an important element of effective out-of-competition testing programs, and WADA is pleased with the decision of the Almeria court,” said WADA’s President. “This decision confirms that requiring a limited number of top level elite athletes to provide anti-doping authorities with whereabouts information is proportionate with the purpose of protecting the integrity of sport. Whereabouts rules help preserve the right of clean athletes to compete on a level playing field. I am heartened that the vast majority of athletes agree that this duty is a small price to pay to achieve this collective objective.”

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