WADA approves plans for Code implementation and compliance reporting

“We covered a series of significant and pressing topics this weekend, particularly the matter of ensuring all signatories have the opportunity and motivation to have Code compliant rules ahead of the revised Code coming into effect at the start of 2015.”

The World Anti-Doping Association (WADA)’s Foundation Board approved key plans relating to Code implementation and Compliance reporting, and was presented with technical documents and matters relating to the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) and the addition of a substance to the 2014 Prohibited List during its meeting in Montreal, Canada, this month.

WADA’s President Sir Craig Reedie chaired his first Executive Committee and Foundation Board meetings, and was pleased at the outcome.

He said: “We covered a series of significant and pressing topics this weekend, particularly the matter of ensuring all signatories have the opportunity and motivation to have Code compliant rules ahead of the revised Code coming into effect at the start of 2015.”

World Anti-Doping Code implementation

Following the approval of the revised Code and International Standards in November 2013, WADA has been assisting and guiding signatories through a series of steps aimed at adopting the rules required to become Code compliant. This is a process that will continue throughout the remainder of 2014.

The Foundation Board confirmed that WADA would publish a list of signatories who have – and a list of signatories who have not – amended their rules appropriately and implemented them in line with the revised Code by 1 January 2015.

As part of the implementation process, the Foundation Board received an update on the Athlete Guide to the Code, a tool aimed at helping athletes understand the rules of the Code ahead of its introduction in 2015. The Guide will be published in electronic form later in 2014.

Working group on compliance reporting

As a continuation of the working group which addressed the Ineffectiveness of testing in 2012-2013, the Group produced a report on code compliance. The report considers several aspects, including: the process of becoming compliant; the measurement of compliance of quality programs; remedial and other measures to be applied when Code compliance has not been achieved by any particular signatory or group of signatories; and the recommendation that an independent group is involved in compliance assessment.

Technical Documents

As a result of the approval of the 2015 Code, the Executive Committee endorsed six Technical Documents (TDs) which will assist with the scientific analysis of samples.

Sport-specific analysis

The Foundation Board heard a report on the Technical Document in relation to sport-specific analysis. This Technical Document - under the new International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI) - establishes a risk assessment in which prohibited substances and methods are most likely to be abused in particular sport disciplines. A guideline to support the development and implementation of more effective test distribution plans is also being issued, and was discussed during the meeting.

WADA will continue to consult with International Federations (IFs) and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) in collaboration with the Expert Group in relation to the physiological risk assessment against the performance enhancing benefits of the prohibited substances and methods contained in the Technical Document. The Technical Document will be released after it is approved at the next Executive Committee meeting in September.

Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)

The Foundation Board considered a report on the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Operating Guidelines, which covers both Haematological (blood) and Steroidal (urine) modules, the latter of which became operational on 1 January 2014. The integration of both modules into the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) was also discussed.

It was reported that the Haematological Module – which has now been implemented by 40 ADOs – has resulted in 53 ABP-related anti-doping rule violations since 2010.

The ABP now uses the athlete’s own Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) values rather than population values as a basis for evaluation, thereby ensuring a robust, more individual and fully cost-efficient system.

“The introduction of the Steroidal Module earlier this year represented a significant step forward for clean sport,” said Reedie.

“Given that every athlete can automatically have their own Steroidal Profile by providing urine samples, this module brings great strength to the overall Passport programme.

“The ABP’s strength lies in the fact that not only can it be used to directly pursue rule violations as stated in the Code, but it also allows the anti-doping community to identify and target athletes for specific analytical testing by interpreting the data in an intelligent and timely fashion.”

Amendment to the 2014 Prohibited List

Having been alerted to the substance of Xenon and its potential performance enhancing characteristics in February, the WADA List Committee discussed the matter during its April meeting.

Following its consideration, the Executive Committee approved the option to modify Section S.2.1 of the 2014 Prohibited List, which will be effective following the required three-month notice period:

S2. PEPTIDE HORMONES, GROWTH FACTORS AND RELATED SUBSTANCES

The following substances, and other substances with similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s), are prohibited:

1. Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agents [e.g. erythropoietin (EPO), darbepoetin (dEPO), hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) stabilizers and activators (e.g. xenon, argon), methoxy polyethylene glycol-epoetin beta (CERA), peginesatide (Hematide)];

The process means that the amendment to the 2014 Prohibited List will not come into effect until three months after UNESCO has appropriately communicated the amendment to all States Parties.