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WADA prepares to shape future of anti-doping in sport

2013-11-13 13:55 AIPS

November 12, 2013 - The global anti-doping community will descend on Johannesburg, South Africa today to join leading figures from the world of sport and government in helping shape the future of anti-doping in sport.

The Fourth World Conference on Doping in Sport, which runs from November 12 – 15, will mark a major milestone in the strengthening of global efforts to combat doping in sport through the approval of the revised World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards.

Organized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and hosted by Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) and the City of Johannesburg, the World Conference will see over 1,000 representatives of public authorities, the sport movement, the anti-doping community, athletes, observers and media convene to review the major advances made in the fight against doping, and to discuss future strategy.

The main focus for the Conference will be the approval of the revised World Anti-Doping Code and four accompanying International Standards. The Code – which was adopted by the sport movement and governments in 2003 – is the core document that harmonizes regulations regarding anti-doping across sports and countries all over the world. Following its approval in Johannesburg, the Code will be implemented by signatories in 2014 before taking effect on January 1, 2015.

“Doping has been, and continues to be, one of the greatest threats that we face in sport,” said WADA President John Fahey. “Since WADA was formed 14 years ago, we have made huge strides to tackle the scourge of doping, yet today we still face challenges on a number of fronts.

“It is these challenges, and the strategies needed to combat them, that we will discuss over the course of the next four days in Johannesburg. As a community, we can now look forward to helping shape the very future of anti-doping in sport through the approval of what I believe will be the most effective response to tackling this issue yet – the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code.”

The importance of the Conference will be bolstered by the announcement from WADA of some new initiatives, aimed at tackling doping in sport.

Steroidal Module

WADA President John Fahey today announced the launch of the Steroidal Module for the Athlete Biological Passport. The Steroidal Module tests an athlete’s urine sample to observe unique steroidal variables such as testosterone, therefore making it a useful technique in spotting athlete abuse of Anabolic Androgenic Steroids. The Steroidal Module joins the Haematological Module to complement the Athlete Biological Passport which, overall, aims to identify athletes for further target testing in addition to assisting detection of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs).

University Project

In collaboration with the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and Gwangju 2015 Universiade Organizing Committee, WADA has developed an eTextbook and teaching material for first year university students. The anti-doping etextbook is part of an initiative to deliver a full ‘model curriculum’ for university academic staff to educate future practitioners, athletes, coaches and all leaders of sport, on the dangers of doping in sport and their role in combatting the issue.

Rules to be matched by practice

Enhancements will be made to rules and processes to assist signatories with the implementation of more effective and intelligent anti-doping programs moving forward.

WADA will then be responsible for an effective monitoring process once the Code and International Standards have been approved. The compliance and monitoring process will be approved by the Foundation Board in May 2014.

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