WADA Symposium Highlights New Developments

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) organized a symposium from 21-22 April in Lausanne, Switzerland, providing a unique forum of information exchange between the agency and International Federations (IFs). 22 Apr 2009 By IPC

The two-day symposium saw a total of 250 participants from IFs and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), which was a format of joint participation with all stakeholders that will continue in the future.

Presentations from various experts were given concerning testing plans and investigations on the basis of longitudinal data collection and information retrieved from co-operation with intelligence services such as police and customs. Other subjects covered included resource efficiency for testing plans and educational initiatives, and the challenges that stakeholders have in complying with the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) and international standards.

The forum also allowed an exchange of practical experiences following the new WADC and the international standards which came into force on 1 January 2009. The general aim of the symposium was to gather IFs, NADOs and other anti-doping bodies at the same time to assess the current state of affairs and general ideas, concepts and approaches in the continued fight against doping.

Representatives from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) were also on hand for the WADA Symposium, including IPC Medical & Scientific Director Peter Van de Vliet, Anti-Doping Administration Manager Sophie Berwick as well as IPC Anti-Doping Committee members Nicki Vance and Dr. Joseph de Pencier.

Dr. Van de Vliet said the presentations which were presented by leading parties reflected the changing paradigms in the area of anti-doping. He continued saying that efforts were to strengthen the education and deterrence were constantly brought to the symposium for fruitful discussions.

Along with the WADA IF Symposium, Ms. Berwick also attended the Association of National Anti-Doping Organizations (ANADO) workshop in Dublin, Ireland, from 16-18 April.

For more information about the symposium, please visit the official website at www.wada-ama.org.