December 2, 2014 - Following the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games held earlier this year in Scotland, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) are pleased to report on the outcome of their collaboration during the event.

Glasgow 2014 – which ran from 23 July – 3 August - marked the biggest multi-sport event yet at which WADA has conducted the new “better practice” model for an Independent Observer (IO) program, after the model was originally piloted at the World Games 2013 in Cali, Columbia. The Glasgow IO program, which combined advance planning with collaboration between the CGF and WADA, offered an enhanced approach in line with the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. The program marked a change from the traditional observer models seen at previous events where involvement and observations take place only during the period of the event.

This new-style IO Program – viewed by WADA as a template that should be adopted by other Major Event Organizations in the future - sought to ensure that the CGF’s doping control policy and testing plans were applied effectively and resourcefully. WADA’s involvement at the Games also provided an opportunity to develop its Models of Better Practice Guideline for Major Event Organizations.

WADA Director General, David Howman: “WADA was pleased with the success of the collaborative approach taken by the different anti-doping organizations during Glasgow 2014. We were impressed by the constructive relationship that developed between the CGF, the Glasgow Organizing Committee and UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), who were contracted by the Glasgow Organizing Committee to carry out all testing at the event. This type of partnership should be a template for future major events, and is something that is widely encouraged in the revised Code.

“One of the key aspects of the “better practice” model that was carried out in Glasgow was the enhanced focus on pre-competition testing. This emphasis on testing during higher-risk doping periods was successfully implemented and as a result WADA encourages all Major Event Organizations to expand their own out-of-competition testing programs in collaboration with International Federations and National Anti-Doping Organizations prior to the event; and further throughout the period the Athletes’ Village opens until the end of the event.”

Commonwealth Games Federation Chief Executive, David Grevemberg: “The CGF and the Glasgow 2014 Organising Committee were pleased to participate in the collaborative model which was successfully deployed in partnership with UKAD at this summer’s Commonwealth Games.

“As a sports movement committed to ensuring a safe and level playing field for all Commonwealth athletes, the Federation is delighted to have contributed by promoting the values of fair play and advancing the delivery of doping control regimes at major sporting events.”

WADA will be publishing new Models of Better Practice for Major Event Organizations in the coming months, which will provide recommendations on the most efficient ways of planning and conducting doping control during major sporting events. This Guideline will aim to promote consistency across anti-doping programs at all major events in years to come and will be an effective tool to assist organizing committees and other Anti-Doping Organizations achieve this.

Due to the nature of the IO Mission conducted in Glasgow, there will be no report published by WADA.

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