On 12th of September, 2024 the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Executive Committee (ExCo) held its third meeting of the year, which was graciously hosted by the Turkish National Olympic Committee, in Belek, Republic of Türkiye. A main feature of the meeting was an exchange with Independent Prosecutor, Mr. Eric Cottier, regarding his final reasoned report following his review of WADA’s handling of the no-fault contamination case involving 23 swimmers from China, regarding which a media release was issued earlier today. The ExCo also tabled a range of other topics, took a number of decisions – the main ones being summarized below – and made recommendations to the Agency’s Foundation Board (Board) for its next meeting in December.
After the meeting, WADA President Witold Bańka said: “I would like to thank the members of the Executive Committee for a very productive meeting here in Belek. As well as approving the 2025 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, members deliberated and took other important decisions aimed at strengthening the global anti-doping system for athletes worldwide.
List of Prohibited Substances and Methods
The ExCo approved the 2025 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), which designates the substances and methods that are prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). The ExCo also approved the composition of the substances that will feature on the 2025 Monitoring Program, which includes substances that are not on the List but that WADA wishes to monitor in order to detect potential patterns of misuse in sport. There will be a limited number of modifications to both documents, which will be published before 1 October 2024 and enter into effect on 1 January 2025.
Athlete Engagement
The ExCo received an update from WADA’s Athlete Council Chair, Ryan Pini, who highlighted several initiatives that the Athlete Council has been prioritizing, most notably engaging the athlete community to contribute to the Code and International Standard Update Process, supporting the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds Program as well as the Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment (IHRIA), and developing its own action plan.
The floor was then given to the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds, Ms. Anna Thorstenson, and the Head of Athlete Engagement, Ms. Karine Henrie. The Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds Program, which was proposed by WADA’s former Athlete Committee, began as a pilot project with Ms. Thorstenson having been appointed in March 2023 for an initial 12-month term. At its meeting in March 2024, the ExCo agreed to extend Ms. Thorstenson’s contract and agreed to consider the longer-term future of the Program. Today, Ms. Thorstenson presented her final pilot project report to the ExCo, and given the success of the project, Ms. Henrie proposed an approach for the Ombuds Program to continue, which was approved by the ExCo.
Mr. Pini said: “The anti-doping system can be complex, and we believe it is important for athletes all around the world to have access to a free, confidential, neutral and independent source of information and guidance. The Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds is filling that need and is making an important contribution to improving athletes’ experience of and trust in the system. I thank the other members of the Executive Committee for supporting this initiative and I look forward to seeing this program grow in profile and importance in the coming years as WADA continues to fulfil its strategic priority of putting athletes at the center of what we do. I was also pleased to hear the update from Independent Expert, Snežana Samardžić-Marković, in relation to her work on an Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment. This is another important athlete-centered initiative that is crucial to understanding how anti-doping rules and practices may impact athletes’ rights.”
Code Compliance
The ExCo followed the recommendation from the Agency’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) to allege one International Federation (IF) as non-compliant with the Code and added seven National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) to the compliance ‘watchlist’.
The IF of Basque Pelota (FIPV) has been alleged as non-compliant with the Code for failing to address non-conformities that were identified through the Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ) framework in 2023 in the area of testing. The proposed consequences and reinstatement conditions for the FIPV can be found by clicking here.
Under Article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), Signatories have 21 days following the date of receipt of the formal notice of non-compliance to dispute WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, and/or the proposed consequences and/or the reinstatement conditions proposed by the ExCo. For the FIPV, therefore, it should be noted that the decision (including the consequences) will enter into force on 4 October 2024, unless the decision is challenged by that date.
The ExCo also followed the recommendation of the CRC to place the following NADOs on the ‘watchlist’, giving them an additional four months to correct outstanding non-conformities:
- Namibia*
- Pakistan
- Panama
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Uganda*
- Uruguay
*National Olympic Committee acting as NADO
In the cases of Namibia, Pakistan, Samoa, Senegal and Uruguay, the non-conformities relate to issues highlighted during the CCQ process from 2023 that have still not been addressed. The procedure involving the Panama NADO follows a review of its legal framework that revealed its legal system was not in line with the 2021 version of the Code. Finally, the case implicating Uganda is a combination of having non-compliant legislation and also outstanding non-conformities from the 2023 CCQ.
Since these issues were identified, the NADOs in question and, where relevant, the Public Authorities, have finalized satisfactory corrective action plans (including, where relevant, draft amendments to the legal system in line with the 2021 Code and a timeline for adoption) to resolve the non-conformities within four months (by 12 January 2025) therefore meeting the criteria of the ‘watchlist’ as stated in Article 8.4.5 of the ISCCS. By being placed on the ‘watchlist’, if any of the NADOs fails to correct its outstanding issue(s) within the timeline, as per Article 8.4.5 of the ISCCS, WADA shall automatically send the NADO a formal notice alleging non-compliance and proposing consequences and reinstatement conditions.
2024 Scientific Research Grants
The ExCo approved funding recommendations for research proposals for WADA’s 2024 call for scientific research grants. In all, 14 projects were selected for funding, from a total of 70 expressions of interest that led to 32 full applications received, amounting to USD 1,419,835. Details of these projects will be published on WADA’s website in the coming months once the individual contracts are signed.
Laboratories
The ExCo approved the Shanghai Anti-Doping Laboratory, located in Shanghai, China, to conduct blood analyses exclusively in support of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP). Following the review process led by WADA’s Science Department and Laboratory Expert Advisory Group (LabEAG), it was determined that the laboratory had successfully completed the various technical and administrative steps of the WADA ABP approval process as established in the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL).
The ExCo also agreed to grant Candidate ABP Laboratory Status to the ‘Laboratoire Mohammed VI Antidopage’, located in Casablanca, Morocco. The decision follows a recommendation from WADA’s LabEAG, which determined that the laboratory’s application conformed with the relevant section (Article 4) of the ISL. The LabEAG will now evaluate the Candidate Laboratory’s progress in fulfilling all ISL requirements, including the development of its technical and analytical capabilities.
Technical Document
The ExCo approved version 10.0 of the Technical Document for Sport Specific Analysis (TDSSA), which will come into effect on 1 January 2025. The updated TDSSA will be published and circulated to all Anti-Doping Organizations shortly.
Annual Audit of Intelligence and Investigations Department
The ExCo approved the report of the 2024 annual audit of WADA’s independent Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department, which was carried out by independent supervisor, Mr. Emmanuel Leclaire, in June 2024. The purpose of the audit is to ensure that WADA I&I’s work continuously and rigorously satisfies investigative best practices, legal requirements, and complies with the Code and International Standards. In keeping with policy, the audit’s conclusions will soon be made public on WADA’s website.
Appointments
The ExCo approved the reappointment of member Mr. Jiři Kejval to represent it for a second term on the WADA Risk and Audit Committee.
The ExCo followed the recommendation of WADA’s Nominations Committee and approved current WADA Foundation Board and Finance & Administration Committee member, Ms. Dagmawit Girmay Berhane from Ethiopia, to the Foundation Board of the International Testing Agency in replacement of ExCo member Prof. Uğur Erdener, whose mandate concludes at the end of 2024.
Strategic Plan
Further to very productive sessions in September 2023 and March 2024, which engaged ExCo members in discussions concerning development of WADA’s next Strategic Plan (2025-2029), ExCo feedback was once again solicited to ensure that the draft Plan was meeting expectations of what WADA’s ambitions should be for the future, before being put before the Board for approval in December.
Next Meetings
The ExCo will meet next on Wednesday 4 December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the Board meeting taking place the following day.
