WADA Symposium Pushes Higher Information Exchange

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) organized its annual Anti-Doping Organizations (ADO) symposium from 13-14 April in Lausanne, Switzerland, providing a strong forum for ideas and information between the agency and International Federations (IFs). 14 Apr 2010 By IPC

The two-day symposium saw a total of 240 representatives from IFs, National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) and testing agencies, with representatives from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) including IPC Medical and Scientific Director Peter Van de Vliet and Anti-Doping Administration Manager Lydia Grecova.

One of the main discussion points during the symposium was the need to enhance overall communication and the exchange of information and knowledge between IFs and NADOs. In seeking that goal, the reduction of administrative workloads was recommended via increasing electronic resources for the sharing of information and general anti-doping administration.

Additionally, it was determined that there should be an increase in intelligent testing, rather than a focus on the testing numbers.

Concerning the whereabouts of athletes and the process of gathering information, the subject and the general requirements were discussed with the aim to improve efficiency and the effectiveness of testing.

Dr. Van de Vliet said that the symposium reflected the ten years of work and development that has occurred since the inception of WADA and that it has significantly contributed to the fight for doping-free sport.

“The annual meeting also highlighted the responsibilities to all parties involved to enhance communication and exchange of information,” Dr. Van de Vliet said. “From that perspective, the WADA ADO Symposium achieved a major goal in providing a platform to both IF and NADO representatives in discussing strategies to improve efficient testing. The strategies discussed could already be activated in the networking opportunities created along the official symposium programme.”

WADA was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world. Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti Doping Code – the document harmonizing anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries.

WADA is a Swiss private law Foundation. Its seat is in Lausanne, Switzerland, and its headquarters are in Montreal, Canada.

For more information about the World Anti-Doping Agency, please visit www.wada-ama.org.