June 27, 2013 - South Africa has been selected to host the 4th World Conference on Doping in Sport. The conference will take place in Johannesburg from November 12-15, 2013 at the Sandton Convention Centre. More than 2000 people from around the globe will be attending.

The Conference will focus on the revised version of the World Anti-Doping Code. With the continuing aim of enhancing anti-doping programs worldwide, WADA launched in 2011 a Code consultation process based on the successful earlier formats. This process has again allowed stakeholders to contribute to the Code’s improvement and culminates with the presentation and endorsement of the suggested revisions to the Code during the Johannesburg Conference.

Says Rodney Swigelaar, Director, Africa Regional Office; “The conference will most certainly be memorable. WADA is thankful for the generosity and commitment of South Africa, its leaders, especially the Hon Minister of Sport and the Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, for premising their bid not only on RSA’s ability to host this event, but also on their commitment to drug-free sport and anti-doping.”

The City of Johannesburg and the Department of Sport and Recreation are proud partners in hosting this world conference.

Previous World Conferences were held in Europe – Lausanne 1999, Copenhagen 2003 and Madrid 2007.

The 2013 WADA Conference message is “Play True – Say No! To Doping.”

Says Executive Mayor of City of Johannesburg – Councillor Parks Mpho Tau; “Our aim is to promote one of the most fundamental principles governing our life, which is the concept of fairness. Fair play is certainly the very essence of sport.”

Sport and Recreation South Africa will use the World Conference to mobilize and educate society against doping, especially in school sport as South Africa rolls-out the schools sport programme this year.

Preparations are well underway to host this prestigious event which is yet another great milestone for the City of Johannesburg.

The conference will be closed to the public but opened to the media.

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