World Anti Doping Agency and IPC Agree to Groundbreaking Testing and Education Program

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will observe the doping control program for the 2002 Winter Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City as part of its efforts to help the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) develop the first in- and out-of-competition doping control program for Paralympic competition. The two organizations signed an agreement to formalize their collaboration in fighting doping in Paralympic sport on July 7, 2001.

"Working with the IPC is an important extension of WADA's activities, which to this point have focused on Olympic sports," said Richard W. Pound, Q.C., Chairman of WADA. "Unfortunately, the threat of doping exists throughout sport, and Paralympic athletes deserve the same protection from dope cheats as do all other athletes."

The WADA-IPC anti-doping partnership will include several other initiatives in addition to testing and observing. WADA will help the IPC develop international, anti-doping educational programs for athletes, coaches, and sports administrators within Paralympic sports. Both entities will urge National Anti-Doping Agencies to include Paralympic Sport within their testing and education programs. In addition, the IPC will be fully involved in the development of the WADA Anti-Doping Code.

"Our cooperation with WADA will be a great asset for the IPC's anti-doping efforts," said IPC President Dr. Robert Steadward. "It is our target to keep future Paralympic Games doping-free."

WADA: A "Watchdog" and
"Upholder of Moral Standards" in Sport

"Think positive - test negative!" This is the message of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to every athlete in all sports. It has been the aim of WADA to change the reality of the international sporting world according to this slogan since its creation less than two years ago.

The need for an international anti-doping agency became evident in 1999, when during the World Conference on Doping in Sport, officials of sports organizations and governments tried to find ways to effectively fight doping. The conference was called as a result of the doping scandals that shook the sport of cycling in 1998. After the conclusion of the World Conference in February 1999, those in charge had to react quickly, as the goal was set to create an international anti-doping agency to be fully operational for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. In November 1999, WADA was founded as an independent foundation with equal representatives from the Olympic Movement and public authorities.

"The creation of WADA is one of the most recent and impressive examples of collaboration in international sport," said WADA Chairman Richard Pound. Sports Organizations as well as public authorities, intergovernmental organizations and governments cooperate in WADA's fight against doping. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with the IPC is only one of many agreements with national and international sports organizations.

Although its focus is clearly on the international field of play, WADA will help nations enhance and develop effective anti-doping programs. "We must do what we can to help ensure sportsmen and women compete in consistent doping control environments, despite resources available in their own countries," explained Pound.

One of WADA's main tasks is the promotion and coordination of research. Its primary interest lies in new substances and methods used by athletes and in the psychological and sociological aspects of doping. Hence, in June 2001, nearly US$ 5 million were awarded to 21 research teams that will study topics such as factors regulating and enhancing growth (e.g. human growth hormone), blood doping, testosterone and genetic doping.

Updating, modifying and adapting the common list of prohibited substances and methods is another responsibility of WADA, which it carries out in close cooperation with the IOC Medical Commission. The most recent list, which will be in effect from September 2001 until at least December 2002, contains a new definition of blood doping and tougher requirements for asthma medications.

On August 21, WADA selected Montreal (Canada) to be the location of its permanent headquarters. Until the final move to Montreal, the organization will use its temporary headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

So far, the short history of WADA has been a success story. While at the beginning, some voiced serious concerns regarding the lack of independence from the IOC, it soon became evident that WADA is able to effectively fulfil its role as the international "watchdog" and "upholder of moral standards" with regards to doping in sports. The Independent Observers Program during the Sydney 2000 Games was a great success and has paved WADA's way to become a much needed and respected partner for many sports organizations, governments and other public or private bodies alike.