POSTED: September 22nd 2008
InDepth
WADA enhances anti-doping action
KEIR RADNEDGE / Sports Features Communications
MONTREAL: Punishments for athletes who fail dope tests are to be refined under modifications agreed by the executive committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
This development is likely to be welcomed by competitors and sports associations uneasy that the current mandate did not provide enough leeway for governing bodies in ‘grey area’ cases and left them at risk of possible legal action.
A statement, issued after the executive meeting in Montreal, said: “The reason is to allow for enhanced sanctions for deliberate offenders and reduced sanctions for inadvertent cheaters or for athletes that can clearly establish that the positive substance was not destined to enhance their performance.”
It added: “. . . if an athlete can clearly establish how a specified substance entered their body or was in their possession and that the substance was not destined to enhance their sport performance the sanction can be reduced to even a reprimand without a period of ineligibility.”
WADA’s new List of Substances and Methods for 2009, which includes modifications to the category of specific substances, is being published on October 1 and comes into effect on January 1.
The Hon John Fahey, WADA's president, said that the outcome of the meeting demonstrated that “all parties involved in the fight against doping are committed to further strengthening and coordinating their anti-doping activities under the World Anti-Doping Code.
“The fight against doping is a 24-7-365 responsibility. I am pleased that despite significant progress in the fight against doping in the past few years and months, stakeholders recognize the need to take further measures to protect the health of athletes and the integrity of sport worldwide."
All current prohibited methods maintain their status, including classes of anabolic agents and hormones, as well as stimulants and hormone antagonists and modulators already identified.
The remaining prohibited substances will fall into the classification of specified substances for the aim of working with more flexible sanctions.
Sanctions for the use of non-specified substances will likely result in a two-year ban for the first rule violation or a ban of up to four years in cases of aggravating circumstances.
Fahey added: “Specified substances, as defined in the revised Code, are not necessarily less serious agents for purposes of doping than other prohibited substances. For that reason, an athlete who does not meet the reduction criteria could receive up to a four-year period of ineligibility in case of aggravating circumstances.
“However, there is a greater likelihood that specified substances, as opposed to non-specified substances, could be susceptible to a credible, non-doping explanation."
Criteria include the potential for a substance to enhance performances, health risks, general use in medicinal products, legitimate market availability, illicit use, legal and controlled status in various countries, addiction potential, history and potential of abuse in sport, possible therapeutic approval and pharmacology.
Stimulants designated as non-specified substances and consequently subject to a two-year ban, in the event of non-aggravating circumstances, for example include amphetamine, cocaine, bromantan and modafinil.
In other decisions, WADA will commit US$6.5m to its grant program for scientific research and an anti-doping laboratory in New Delhi, India, has been approved, the world’s 34th accredited laboratory.
A new International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information was also approved to ensure a minimum level of privacy protection in relation to the collection and use of athletes' personal information.
The next WADA executive meeting is on November 22 in Montreal.
Keywords · WADA · John Fahey · anti-doping
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