IESF and KADA partner to improve Anti-doping standards.

 

International Esports Federation (IESF) has announced that it has signed a MOU with Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA).

IESF and KADA will work together sharing resources with each other relating to the development of an effective anti-doping program in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code, as done by WADA, to develop and improve the standards in the esports community.

Under the agreement, both parties will cooperate for the fairness of esports events taking place around the world and for anti-doping education and tests for esports athletes.

With this strategic movement, IESF can support esports athletes globally through its member nations for a fair and clean esports environment..

WADA TO DELIVER INDEPENDENT OBSERVER AND ATHLETE OUTREACH PROGRAMS AT THE 2019 AFRICAN GAMES

Montreal, 15 August 2019 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to outline its planned Independent Observer (IO) and Athlete Outreach (AO) programs for the 12^th African Games, taking place from 19 to 31 August 2019 in Rabat, Morocco. The Games will involve almost 7,000 athletes from 54 African countries competing in 26 sports.

The IO and AO teams (listed below) will be active during the African Games and, respectively, will provide real-time expert advice to organizers on all matters relating to the doping control program in place, and will give athletes and their supporting teams the opportunity to learn more about anti-doping and how the anti-doping community works to protect clean sport.

WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said: “The African Games are another important event on this year’s sporting calendar as we inch closer to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020. WADA is pleased that an Independent Observer team will be present in Rabat, working alongside the African Games’ doping control team and organizers, to assess every aspect of the anti-doping program in place for the benefit of clean athletes.

“We also welcome the opportunity for a dynamic WADA outreach team to be on hand to engage and educate participating athletes and their support personnel about anti-doping and the importance of instilling clean sport values within the larger sporting community. These are key priorities for WADA and I wish to thank the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the African Games’ organizing committee for their ongoing support in helping us to execute these programs on the ground.”

WADA’s IO team, which is composed of international experts in anti-doping, is intended to instill confidence in athletes and other stakeholders as to the quality, effectiveness and reliability of anti-doping programs being carried out at major events around the world.

The IO team will observe all aspects of the African Games’ anti-doping program, including:

• Test distribution planning
• Selection of competitors for testing
• Notification of doping control
• Sample collection procedures
• Therapeutic Use Exemption procedures
• Results management

The team will provide daily feedback to ANOCA and the African Games Organization Committee of Rabat 2019 (RAGOC). The team will then issue a post-event report that will include a series of observations and recommendations designed to enhance anti-doping activities at future African Games.

A WADA AO team will also be present to provide an opportunity for all competitors to engage with anti-doping in an informal and fun environment. The AO team, which will be staffed by anti-doping experts from across the African continent, will be active in the athletes’ village during the first week of the Games. The aim of the team is to raise awareness among athletes, support personnel and others as to the dangers and consequences of doping and as it relates to athletes’ rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code.

Visitors to the AO booth will be encouraged to complete the Play True Quiz, which is now available in 43 languages, to sign a pledge explaining why they Play True, and to share their experience on social media using the hashtag #PlayTrue.

THE IO AND AO TEAM MEMBERS

The IO Team

• Sophie Berwick (IO Chair), Anti-Doping Consultant
• Sameh Elray (Team Manager), WADA
• Dr. Elske Schabort, South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS)
• Issoufou Aliou, African Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) Zone II and III

The AO Team

• Anica Manuel Joao Neto Troso, RADO Zone VI
• Jason Hilton Snyders, RADO Zone VI
• Mohamed Habib Zaoui, RADO Zone I
• Nathalie Bashala, WADA
• Prince Addo Osei, RADO Zone VI
• Stacy Spletzer-Jegen, WADA

WADA PROVIDES INTERNATIONAL FEDERATIONS WITH FIRST BATCH OF CASES IN RUSSIA INVESTIGATION

Montreal, 2 July 2019 – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announces today that it has provided a first batch of cases to International Federations (IFs) with respect to its Russian investigation. This achievement was made possible by the WADA Executive Committee’s (ExCo’s) September 2018 decision, which reinstated the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) as compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) under strict conditions, including that RUSADA and the Russian Ministry of Sport provide WADA with required samples by a 30 June deadline, which was met.

Since WADA Intelligence and Investigations’ (I&I’s) successful missions to Russia in January and April to retrieve a copy of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), associated raw data and samples from the former Moscow Laboratory, WADA I&I has continued validating the data and has begun compiling strong evidence against those who are believed to have cheated.

The raw data are the result of sample analysis and indicate whether a substance or metabolite was detected. In an anti-doping case, raw data provide the most compelling evidence and are superior in that regard to LIMS data*. This is why WADA’s ExCo placed such importance on accessing the raw data, making sure that was a critical condition of its September 2018 decision.

From the data, WADA I&I has identified a target pool of 298 athletes (representing 578 samples) with the most suspicious data.

WADA confirms that the relevant IFs’ results management process has begun. To date, of those 298 athletes identified by WADA I&I, the data of 43 athletes (150 samples) have been reviewed and evidentiary packages compiled. These packages have now been sent to the relevant IFs, which have commenced assessment of the evidence with a view to identifying those cases to take forward as Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Assessment will include review of the raw data by laboratory experts, which will take some time. In the near future, WADA aims to provide more packages to the relevant IFs. It is estimated that by the end of 2019, all priority cases will have been investigated by WADA.

Director of WADA I&I Gunter Younger said: “WADA I&I continues to make good progress on this long-running and complex case. The fact that we have moved to the results management phase means we are another step closer to bringing to justice those who cheated. This is an excellent development for clean sport and athletes around the world.

“There is still a lot of work left to do but we wish to acknowledge the ongoing cooperation with IFs as well as RUSADA. None of this progress would be possible without WADA’s ExCo decision of September 2018.”

In cases where an IF chooses not to act, WADA will review and discuss the facts with the IF. WADA reserves the right to bring cases forward to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), as appropriate, and will also monitor the decisions rendered by the respective IFs and CAS to adjust its strategy.

In addition to and separate from the evidentiary packages, WADA I&I has commenced a targeted re-analysis program of samples removed from Moscow. Already, three Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) have been identified and reported. In collaboration with WADA I&I, RUSADA has notified the athletes and progressed ADRVs. The commitment and assistance of RUSADA throughout this process has been invaluable.

Furthermore, on 18 June 2019, WADA I&I met with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of the IAAF and provided it with the LIMS and raw data for relevant athletes, including those who are part of WADA I&I’s target pool. An estimated 500 gigabytes of data were provided to the AIU. Following a formal handover from WADA I&I, the AIU will now take the lead and review this information with a view to identifying ADRVs.

While much has been achieved since the data and samples were retrieved, a lot of highly technical and protracted work remains in collaboration with leading experts in digital forensics. This includes examining some differences identified between the LIMS database provided by a whistleblower in October 2017 and the version WADA I&I removed from the laboratory in January 2019, and any impact that these may have on bringing cases forward.

* Raw data are produced by an analytical procedure and are the evidence considered by a laboratory expert when reporting an AAF.

Background

WADA’s ExCo decision of September 2018 endorsed the recommendation of the independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) that RUSADA be reinstated as compliant with the Code subject to the following post-reinstatement conditions:

1. RUSADA and the Russian Ministry of Sport must procure that the authentic LIMS data and underlying analytical data of the former Moscow Laboratory are received by WADA by no later than 31 December 2018.
2. RUSADA and the Russian Ministry of Sport must procure that any re-analysis of samples required by WADA following review of such data is completed by no later than 30 June 2019.

In addition, as per the RUSADA Roadmap to Compliance, a successful audit of RUSADA would be carried out within four months to ensure RUSADA continues to meet compliance standards. This audit was successfully carried out in December 2018.

On 10 January 2019 the Moscow Laboratory was accessed by a WADA I&I expert team and the data [i.e. a copy of the LIMS data and underlying analytical data (raw data)] from the file server and 19 analytical instrument computers was retrieved.

On 22 January 2019, the ExCo unanimously agreed via teleconference to approve the CRC’s recommendation to continue applying the decision of 20 September.

Since then, a rigorous process of authentication was undertaken by two separate expert teams, a WADA team in Canada, and an independent team in Switzerland.

In late April 2019, another expert team from WADA returned to Russia and retrieved 2,262 samples from the Moscow Laboratory, fulfilling the second of the two conditions outlined above. The samples in the Laboratory, which had initially been sealed by Russian authorities as part of a federal investigation, were taken to a WADA-accredited laboratory outside Russia. The CRC determined that this satisfied the second post-reinstatement condition highlighted above as, by supplying all samples, the Russian authorities have given WADA full control over their re-analysis.

As it relates to RUSADA, WADA remains encouraged by the significant progress achieved by RUSADA under its new management with the support of WADA and others.

Further information: WADA has produced a flowchart that summarizes the three phases of the RUSADA Compliance Process and has compiled a document that summarizes the ‘Progress of the Anti-Doping System in Light of the Russian Doping Crisis’.

REMINDER: CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR WADA's 2020 SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM

REMINDER: CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR WADA's 2020 SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM

THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT PROPOSALS IS 14 JULY 2019

Montreal, 13 June 2019 Dear Colleagues, Further to our communication of 14 May, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) wishes to remind you of the upcoming deadline to submit proposals as part of the Agency's Call for Proposals for its 2020 Social Science Research Program. All proposals must be received, via the Agency’s WADAGrants platform, no later than 14 July 2019 (23:59 GMT). Proposals can be submitted from universities, colleges, small businesses, for-profit and not-profit organizations. ‘Increasing and enhancing research-led anti-doping education’ is one of WADA’s strategic priorities. Accordingly, WADA’s Education Committee is tasked with identifying relevant areas of social science research in the field of anti-doping to inform more effective doping prevention strategies. WADA-supported research requires that anti-doping education programs and initiatives are grounded in scientific knowledge and evidence. There are two categories to the Call, an open call and one that specifically ‘measures the effectiveness of existing anti-doping strategies and interventions for athletes and for athlete support personnel’. It should be noted that, proposals that demonstrate partnerships and collaboration between research institutions and anti-doping organizations will be looked upon favorably during the decision-making process. Similarly, interdisciplinary proposals drawing from multiple social science fields (e.g., sociology, psychology, law, economics, and management science) are encouraged. All proposals responding to the terms and conditions of this Call will be evaluated by external peer-reviewers, whose recommendations will be reviewed by WADA’s Social Science Research Project Review Panel and the Education Committee for recommendation to the Agency’s Executive Committee. Applicants will be notified of the results at the end of 2019. For further information regarding the 2020 Program, including the application process and guidance on topics for research, please refer to the Application Guidelines and FAQ section of the WADA Grants platform. Best regards, World Anti-Doping Agency

WADA FOUNDATION BOARD MOVES FORWARD WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF GOVERNANCE REFORMS

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

On 16 May 2019  the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Foundation Board (Board) held its first meeting of the year in Montreal, Canada. The 38-member Board – which is composed equally of the Sports Movement and Governments of the world – met to discuss progress regarding WADA’s priorities and other important matters concerning the Agency and the future of clean sport. The full-day Board meeting, which was open to the media and observers, included a number of presentations, discussions and decisions.
 
On 15 May 2019, WADA’s 12-Member Executive Committee (ExCo) met and made several decisions and recommendations, which then came before the Board.
 
WADA Presidential Nominee
 
At the start of the meeting, WADA President Sir Craig Reedie congratulated Poland’s Minister of Sport and Tourism and former 400m sprinter Witold Banka who, on Tuesday, was nominated by the Public Authorities as their preferred candidate for the position of WADA President when Sir Craig stands down at the end of 2019. He also thanked Mr. Banka’s opponent in that nomination process, Marcos Diaz, Vice-Minister of Sports of the Dominican Republic, and pointed out the positive and respectful way in which the process was carried out.
 
By way of response, Mr. Banka thanked the Public Authorities for the confidence shown in him by nominating him as their preferred candidate. He also thanked Mr. Diaz and stated that he looked forward to working hard with him and all stakeholders to strengthen WADA.
 
The new President will be elected by the Board at the fifth World Conference on Doping in Sport, which will take place in Katowice, Poland, from 5-7 November, and will assume the role for a three-year term from 1 January 2020.
 
Governance Reforms
 
The ExCo approved a detailed timeline for further implementation of wide-ranging governance reforms that were agreed at the November 2018 meeting with work on that progressing well.
 
In particular, the ExCo approved the appointment of an independent agency to identify and vet members of the inaugural Nominations Committee, which will have a pivotal role in recruiting and vetting candidates to occupy senior governance positions within WADA in the future, such as President, Vice-President, Standing Committee Chairs and members of the ExCo and Board.
 
Sir Craig said: “Any strong organization will constantly review its governance structures and, last November, the Board approved a raft of far-reaching reforms intended to make WADA stronger and fit for the future. An important element of that is the formation of a Nominations Committee to help ensure that the right people in terms of the requisite level of skills and independence, serve in those key roles within WADA.
 
“The review of WADA’s governance model has been extensive and has clearly shown WADA’s willingness to adapt. In an ever-changing world, WADA’s role has grown and evolved since its current governance model was first formed. It is right that the structure should develop as well and should continue to be looked at in the future.”
 
The range of reforms approved in November are part of the beginning of an ongoing process of governance review within WADA.
 
Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA)
 
Further to the ExCo’s September 2018 decision to reinstate RUSADA as compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), both the ExCo and the Board received an update regarding management of the data and samples collected from the former Moscow Laboratory earlier this year.
 
Since the Board’s November 2018 meeting, separate WADA delegations visited the Moscow Laboratory in Russia and, in January, extracted 24 terabytes of analytical data (equivalent to more than 24 million documents) and, in April, 2,262 samples, which were securely taken to a WADA-accredited laboratory outside of Russia.
 
The authentication process is still ongoing for some data but has already confirmed that a very high percentage of the data collected in the Moscow Laboratory is authentic and matching with the copy of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) that WADA’s Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) had acquired through a whistleblower in November 2017.
 
Armed with this material, as well as other evidence, WADA’s Intelligence & Investigations (I&I) has started providing International Federations (IFs) with evidentiary packages, which IFs will assess with the view to taking the cases forward as Anti-Doping Rule Violations. WADA will work in close collaboration with IFs and, in cases where IFs choose not to take action, the Agency will review the facts, discuss with the relevant IF and reserves the right to bring them forward to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
 
Director of Intelligence and Investigations Gunter Younger said: “WADA continues to make real progress on this long-running and complex case. Thanks to the fact that we have been able to access the data and the samples, we are now currently in the process of building strong cases that we will present to International Federations. Indeed, we have already delivered some of those evidentiary packages and more will follow in the coming weeks and months.”
 
Conduct at WADA Meetings
 
Yesterday, WADA issued a statement in relation to allegations of improper conduct by two ExCo members at its September 2018 meeting. The findings of the full, independent investigation, carried out by US law firm Covington and Burling LLP, were discussed extensively at the ExCo and presented to the Board by the firm today.
 
The related report, which is published in full, is available for everyone to read. In addition, the ExCo took the step of releasing the unedited recording of the meeting in question, as well as transcripts. This has been done in the interests of transparency and full disclosure and are the actions of an organization determined to lay bare the facts of the matter. At every stage, WADA has taken this matter extremely seriously.
 
The investigation found there was no bullying or harassment and the September ExCo meeting will consider the four recommendations made by Covington relating to the Agency’s governance policies, training and protocols and is committed to making improvements as appropriate.

University Chair in Anti-Doping
 
The Board approved plans to establish a multi-disciplinary Chair on Anti-Doping and Sport at the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada, in order to respond to a demand for more education and research in this field. The intention is that this initiative will also create further partnerships with other universities in the world.
 
Clenbuterol
 
The Board approved an amendment to Article 7.4 of the World Anti-Doping Code which allows laboratories and results management authorities to close as “no case to answer” matters involving athletes testing positive for clenbuterol when established that it is as the result of ingesting contaminated meat products.
 
It has been scientifically established that an athlete can test positive for clenbuterol at low levels following ingestion of contaminated meat in a small number of countries where this is an issue.
 
The issue will be addressed in the forthcoming 2021 Code and International Standard for Results Management. However, until these instruments come into force, this interim solution is required so that valid meat contamination cases are dealt with fairly.
 
To this end, WADA will circulate details of this decision to all stakeholders in advance of 1 June when this amendment comes into effect.
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
Hosting agreement with Montréal International 
 
Following the celebration on 15 May marking the extension of WADA’s agreement with Montreal International for the Agency to remain in the city until 2031 at least, Canada’s Minister for Transport, the Honorable Marc Garneau addressed the Board on the importance of WADA’s continued presence in Montreal.
 
Mr. Garneau pledged the Canadian government’s support for WADA and for clean sport, stating Canada’s full confidence in WADA’s ability to regulate and oversee the global fight to protect clean sport and committing to partnering with WADA in that process.
 
Sir Craig thanked the Minister for his presence at the meeting and for Canada’s longstanding and ongoing support.
 
Athletes
 
The Board heard a report from Chair of the Athlete Committee Beckie Scott, including an update on the working group set up to look at the global representation of athletes with the view to strengthening the athletes’ voices further on the WADA ExCo and Board. Broader consultation and the development of a new draft will be the next steps.
 
Fellow Athlete Committee member Ben Sandford updated the Board on the Anti-Doping Charter of Athlete Rights, which will be tabled for endorsement at the World Conference on Doping in Sport in November, as well as the proposal from WADA’s Athlete Committee to create an Athlete Ombudsperson position for anti-doping matters. Discussions on this proposal will continue over the coming months.
 
Laboratories
 
The ExCo approved the application for King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to become a candidate laboratory as it seeks to gain WADA approval to carry out blood sample testing as part of the Athlete Biological Passport program.
 
The ExCo approved the removal of candidate laboratory status from the Anti-Doping Analysis Laboratory of the University of Chile in Santiago, Chile.
 
Code Review
 
The Board received an update on progress with the ongoing review of the Code and the International Standards, which continues as per the agreed process. The intention is for them to be approved at the 2019 World Conference on Doping in Sport and come into force on 1 January 2021.
 
Finance
 
The Board received an update on the finances of the Agency and approved the accounts for the year-end 2018.
 
Next Meetings
 
The ExCo will next meet on 23 September in Tokyo, Japan. The ExCo and Board will both hold meetings during the World Conference on Doping in Sport in November in Katowice, Poland.

WADA SUCCESSFULLY RETRIEVES SAMPLES FROM MOSCOW LABORATORY

Montreal, 30 April 2019 – Since January’s retrieval by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of the analytical data generated by the former Moscow Laboratory in Russia, WADA Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) has been working on a mission to extract all relevant samples still contained within the laboratory.
 
WADA can confirm that a five-person team has successfully retrieved 2,262 samples from the laboratory, which had been split into A and B samples and contained within 4,524 collection bottles. The samples have now been taken out of Moscow and are on their way to a WADA-accredited laboratory outside of Russia. Importantly, all samples targeted by I&I in advance of the mission were successfully located and extracted.
 
WADA Director of I&I Gunter Younger, who is leading the process, said: “WADA Intelligence and Investigations is pleased to be continuing to make progress in this complex and difficult case. Extracting the required samples from the laboratory is another step forward. These samples will be used to strengthen cases against those who may have cheated and may exonerate athletes who have not committed an anti-doping rule violation.”
 
“In removing the bottles, as a precaution we decided to take any and all samples that corresponded to data in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) database that was even remotely anomalous, even where an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) was not suspected. We can therefore proceed to the next phase and support the various International Federations (IFs) and other Anti-Doping Organizations to bring cases forward.”
 
In parallel, the authentication process of the Moscow data is close to completion. In early May, a progress report from that process will be sent to the independent Compliance Review Committee– which has received updates from WADA I&I every two weeks since the data was extracted in January – and an update will be presented at the next meetings of WADA’s Executive Committee and Foundation Board on 15 and 16 May, respectively.
 
Meanwhile, the process continues as I&I investigators identify all available evidence for each case, including ordering further sample analysis, where appropriate. In due course, the relevant IFs will be presented with evidentiary packages, which they will assess with the view to taking the cases forward as ADRVs. In cases where IFs choose not to take action, WADA will review the facts, discuss with the relevant IF and reserves the right to bring them forward to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
 
Last week, WADA held a conference call with a number of IFs outlining the next steps and answering any questions they might have. Similar conference calls have also been held with athletes and with National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs).
 
Background: The successful data and sample retrieval came about as a result of the 20 September 2018 decision of WADA’s Executive Committee to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), under strict conditions, to the list of World Anti-Doping Code-compliant Signatories. Under the terms of that decision, the Russian authorities were required to provide the data while also agreeing that any samples required by WADA for re-analysis would be made available by 30 June 2019. The samples had been stored and sealed off as part of a federal investigation being carried out by Russian authorities.
 
Further information: WADA has produced a flowchart that summarizes the three phases of the RUSADA Compliance Process and has compiled a document that summarizes the ‘Progress of the Anti-Doping System in Light of the Russian Doping Crisis’.

WADA AND ANTI-DOPING FORM KEY PART OF IOC INTERNATIONAL ATHLETES’ FORUM

© IOC/Fabrice Coffrini The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was strongly represented at the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC's) International Athlete Forum, which brought together around 350 athletes from more than 200 countries in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 13-14 April 2019. As part of a panel on the protection of clean sport featuring representatives from the IOC, WADA, the International Testing Agency and the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Chair of the WADA Athletes Committee Beckie Scott spoke in particular about the work of the committee in the fight against doping and highlighted some of the group’s current priorities, including the development of the Anti-Doping Charter of Athlete Rights and of a strategy to ensure that the committee continues to strengthen the athletes’ voice within WADA and the wider anti-doping movement. Also speaking in this panel, Chief Operating Officer Frédéric Donzé updated the forum on recent developments in WADA’s activities. He told the meeting that real progress had been made by WADA in light of the Russian doping crisis, particularly in the areas of WADA’s compliance monitoring of World Anti-Doping Code Signatories, investigations and whistleblowing, and review of the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. He said: “While work is ongoing in terms of the authentication and analysis of the data retrieved from the former Moscow Laboratory in January, we have tried to use the lessons learned in the past few years as much as possible to help rebuild a strong and credible Russian Anti-Doping Agency and to further enhance our programs for the benefit of clean sport, in partnership with the global anti-doping community. “We as a community need to continuously look at new and creative ways and means to better protect clean athletes, and the involvement and input of the athlete’s community is a critical part of this work.” The Athlete Committee was also represented by member Ben Sandford, who brought the forum up to speed on the development of the Anti-Doping Charter of Athlete Rights, which will be further discussed at the May meetings of WADA’s Executive Committee and Foundation Board. Lastly, WADA Deputy Director, Standards and Harmonization, Stuart Kemp gave athletes an update on the latest developments regarding the revamp of the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS). He indicated, in particular, that the first phase of this overhaul was close to completion, which will see a brand-new athletes’ whereabouts application rolled out shortly. During the International Athlete Forum, as well as the World Olympians’ Forum held on 15 April at the same venue, hundreds of athletes visited the WADA outreach booth to ask questions and interact with the WADA Athlete Committee and WADA Management members present in Lausanne. This year’s IOC International Athlete Forum brought together athletes representing the IOC, the International Paralympic Committee, WADA, Olympic Continental Associations, International Federations, National Olympic Committees, Organizing Committees of upcoming Olympic Games, and the World Olympians Association. This Forum is usually held every two years.

WADA HAILS 30th ANNIVERSARY OF COUNCIL OF EUROPE ANTI-DOPING CONVENTION

Athens, 5 April 2019 – Yesterday, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Director General, Olivier Niggli, addressed a two-day conference in Athens, Greece, being held to commemorate the 30^th anniversary of the Council of Europe’s Anti-Doping Convention (Convention).
 
This year marks three decades since the Convention was open for signature – a treaty that has now been ratified by all 47 Council of Europe member countries and several other states. Arriving 10 years before WADA was formed, the Convention helped to prepare the way for the Agency’s work by standardizing and harmonizing measures to tackle doping across all boundaries.
 
Olivier Niggli told the conference that while the success of the Convention and many other measures in protecting clean sport were clear, now was not the time for complacency.
 
“Without a doubt there is much more work to be done and improvements to be made,” he said. “The fight against doping is not static. It evolves every day and none of us should rest on our laurels. Together, the Council of Europe, Member States, WADA, UNESCO, the Sport Movement and all other players within the anti-doping community must go further by improving our methods, our rules, our science, our monitoring, our education programs, our investigative capabilities and much more.
 
“The input of governments, such as those represented at this important conference, is paramount to going further and making a difference. We need them as a crucial part of the team. The athletes make all of us proud every day through their hard efforts, their excellence and their dedication. They act as role models for the youth and make their nations’ flags fly on the world stage. We owe them our full commitment – to protect them and the sports they love.
 
“Over the years, WADA has been working very closely with the Council of Europe on a range of issues, including matters related to monitoring the compliance of anti-doping programs. This partnership has allowed for a crossover of important expertise, which benefits both organizations in increasing their respective efficiency while avoiding duplication of resources.
 
“On behalf of WADA, I wish to thank Europe for their commitment, their investment and their relentless efforts in protecting clean sport and society.”

Testing will not be compromised, says SAIDS

Please see below communication from the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) regarding the suspension of the South African Doping Control Laboratory in Bloemfontein

Testing will not be compromised, says SAIDS

Testing in South African sport will continue to be thorough and robust in spite of the temporary suspension of the University of Free State’s Bloemfontein laboratory, says the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS).

Samples taken by SAIDS will be tested at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory in Doha, Qatar, which has already been doing some testing for the South African organisation.

SAIDS chief executive officer Khalid Galant said “we want to reassure SASCOC and national sporting federations that testing will continue to be robust and will not be compromised”.

He added that results will still be reported “within the prescribed timelines”.

“There will therefore be no negative impact on the test distribution plan for South African sport, and testing will continue to be robust,” he added.

In March this year SAIDS began sending urine samples to Doha while the South African Doping Control Laboratory at the University of Free State in Bloemfontein temporarily shut down part of its operation. The laboratory had taken this step to give it an opportunity to upgrade equipment and improve staff capacity and training.

However, WADA this week suspended the accreditation of the laboratory until 30 September 2016.

The suspension prohibits the laboratory from carrying out any anti-doping activities, including all analyses of urine and blood samples.

WADA said in a statement that: “During the period of suspension, the laboratory shall address all non-conformities identified in its External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) program and any other non-conformities identified in the course of WADA site visits during the suspension period.”

All blood and urine samples taken by SAIDS will now go to Doha.

The Bloemfontein laboratory operates independently of SAIDS and reports to the University of Free State.

Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods at the IeSF's 7th World Championships - Seoul

IeSF has put into place Anti-Doping Rules in accordance with  the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code, to continue efforts to eradicate doping in e-Sports.

The Anti-Doping Rules are rules which govern the conditions under which sport is played, and are distinct in nature from civil laws, and are not intended to be subject to any national requirements and legal standards applicable to civil proceedings.

The Rules represent the consensus of a broad spectrum of stakeholders to protect and ensure fair e-Sports.

The Rules are applicable during the period of “the World Championship” for supporting the detailed operation of Doping Control. IeSF Anti-Doping Rules can be downloaded from the link.

IeSF Competition Committee is responsible for establishing policies, guidelines and procedures to support the fight against doping, including management for results and violation of IeSF Anti-Doping Rules.

The Prohibited List International Standard of WADA Code shall be applied to Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Method enforced in competition Doping Control within “the World Championship”.  Link

Prohibited Substances 
S0. Non-Approved Substances
S1. Anabolic Agents
S2. Peptide Hormones, Growth factors & related substances
S3. Beta-2 Agonists
S4. Hormone & Metabolic Modulators
S5. Diuretics & Other Masking Agents
S6. Stimulants
S7. Narcotics
S8. Cannabinoids
S9. Glucocorticosteroids
P2. Beta-Blockers

Prohibited Methods
M1. Manipulation of Blood and Blood Components
M2. Chemical and Physical Manipulation
M3. Gene Doping