THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) REPORTS THAT EGYPTIAN SQUASH ATHLETE MOUSTAFA ELSIRTY HAS ACCEPTED A 6-MONTH PERIOD OF INELIGIBILITY AFTER TESTING POSITIVE FOR A PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE.
The ITA confirms that a sample collected in-competition from Moustafa Elsirty on 10 November 2022 at the 2022 FISU World University Championship Squash returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for the prohibited substance terbutaline.
Terbutaline is classified as a beta-2 agonist on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) prohibited list. It is banned for athletes at all times, during and between competitions.
The case was resolved via an acceptance of consequences pursuant to Article 8.3.1. of the World Squash Federation’s anti-doping rules. The athlete accepted a sanction of a 6-month period of ineligibility from 10 March 2023 until 9 October 2023. The athlete’s individual results from 10 November 2022, including the 2022 FISU World University Championship Squash, until 10 March 2023 have also been disqualified.
The prosecution of the matter was handled by the ITA on behalf of the World Squash Federation.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered the appeal filed by the Romanian tennis player, Ms Simona Halep (the Athlete), against the decision rendered by the International Tennis Integrity Agency Tribunal dated 22 September 2023 (the Challenged Decision), in which she was found to have committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations and sanctioned with a four-year period of ineligibility commencing on 7 October 2022, and the disqualification of all results obtained in competitions taking place in the period 29 August 2022 to 7 October 2022, including forfeiture of any medals, titles, ranking points and prize money.
In her appeal to the CAS, the Athlete requests that the Challenged Decision be set aside and that her sanction be reduced.
The CAS arbitration proceedings have commenced. In accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration (the CAS Code), the arbitration rules governing CAS procedures, the parties are exchanging written submissions and the Panel of arbitrators that will decide the matter is being constituted.
Once constituted, the Panel will issue procedural directions for the next phase of the procedure, including the holding of a hearing. Following the hearing, the Panel will deliberate and issue an Arbitral Award containing its decision and the grounds for it. At this time, it is not possible to indicate a time frame for the issuance of the decision.
The CAS Panel’s decision will be final and binding, with the exception of the parties’ right to file an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days on limited grounds.
Every year Sport Integrity Australia revises its Anti-Doping Education Plan in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code International Standard of Education. The plan details our goals, objectives, resources, target audiences, interventions, and key activities for anti-doping education for each financial year. It helps us ensure Australian athletes and sports personnel are getting the best education possible in this space.
The 2022-2023 financial year saw us deliver education across five key target areas:
- National Sporting Organisations (NSOs)
- School and tertiary education
- Medical practitioners
- Digital and online, and
- International engagement and research.
Sport Integrity Australia Director of Education Alexis Cooper says tracking our education across all elements of sport integrity is important to ensuring we’re staying ahead of the game when it comes to keeping sport safe, fair and healthy for everyone.
“We’ve achieved some great reach this year through our education deliverables, but as with anything, there is always an opportunity for improvement,” she says when reviewing the results.
“More than 140 education sessions were delivered to over 5,400 people and while we’d have liked to have done a little bit more, this figure is still a 70% increase on 2021-22 and brings our program back in line with pre-COVID levels. Feedback from these sessions indicated that over 99% of attendees felt they had a better understanding of the anti-doping rules following their attendance, and our presenters received an average rating of 9.3 out of 10.”
Working with sports on their education is an essential part of ensuring maximum reach for best results.
“In regard to education plans within NSOs we now have 91 Anti-Doping Education Plans in place which is the greatest number of education plans endorsed by sport since they were first developed. We’d like 100% compliance in 2023-24 and will continue to work towards that result.”
Finding new and innovative ways to deliver education to ensure all learning styles are catered for is a particular focus each year.
“Our Decision Making in Sport Virtual Reality sessions continue to grow within schools and pathways sports, and our Managing Integrity in Sport course in conjunction with Victoria University reached another 60 sport administrators last financial year. The 2023 Annual Update online course has been completed by 19,282 people and our Health Effects app was updated to ensure greater athlete reach.”
Ms Cooper says growing our education through partnerships, collaborations, new technologies and additional resources will continue to be a focus for the coming 12 months.
“Safety in sport does not stop at the border, so both national and international approaches are key if we want to remain at the forefront of sport integrity,” she says. “Continuing our active involvement in the WADA Global Learning and Development Framework for Education, and our close working relationships with our international counterparts helps to enhance the education we offer both in Australia and globally.”
Further deliverables will be included in the Sport Integrity Australia education plan for 2023-24 to ensure continual improvement for maximum reach and best results.
To find out more about the education we offer, head to the Education page of our website.
While education is an essential part of our commitment to clean, far sport, we don’t limit our education to anti-doping. In addition to the improper use of medicines and the dangers of substances and supplements, our education extends to all areas of our remit including safeguarding, member protection, competition manipulation and match-fixing.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to share its plan to promote clean sport during the 2023 Pan American (Panam) and Parapan American (Parapan Am) Games in Santiago, Chile.
WADA will have its Athlete Engagement and Independent Observer (IO) teams on site for the Panam Games, which will run from 20 October until 5 November. The Athlete Engagement team will then stay through the Parapan Games, which will take place between 17-26 November. Together, both events will feature more than 8,000 athletes from 41 countries, which will compete across 39 sports in the Panam Games and 17 in the Parapan Games.
WADA’s IO program is designed to enhance athlete and public confidence as to the quality, effectiveness, and reliability of anti-doping programs during major international multisport events. WADA’s Athlete Engagement initiatives are in place to raise awareness about doping-free sport among athletes and their support personnel while also promoting clean sport.
WADA President, Witold Bańka, said: “We look forward to running our Athlete Engagement and Independent Observer programs in Santiago. The Independent Observer team will collaborate with our partners on the ground to help strengthen the anti-doping program during the Panam Games. Meanwhile, our Athlete Engagement team will have the important task of engaging with athletes at both the Panam and Parapan Am Games, and their entourages, on a variety of anti-doping topics. These Games represent an important opportunity for WADA to continue to champion its global collaborative mission for doping-free sport in South America and raise the game for athletes around the world.”
Independent Observer (IO) Program
WADA will be running an IO program during the Panam Games in Santiago 2023. The anti-doping program will be operated by Panam Sports in conjunction with the local organizing committee. WADA’s IO team will collaborate with the various organizations to help strengthen the program.
Providing daily feedback to the organizers, the IO team will observe all aspects of the Games’ anti-doping program, including:
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Test distribution planning and implementation;
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Recruitment and training of sample collection personnel;
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Athlete selection, notification and sample collection procedures;
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Transport and chain of custody of samples;
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Therapeutic Use Exemption procedures; and
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Results management.
Following the Panam Games, the IO team will issue a report that will formalize observations and recommendations designed to enhance anti-doping activities for future events.
The IO team consists of:
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Juan Lauria (Argentina), Manager, WADA Latin America Office (Chair);
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Federico Perroni (Uruguay) Manager, WADA Latin America Office;
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Maria Fernanda Carraca de Alcantara Frias (Brazil), Testing Manager, Autoridade Brasileira de Controle de Dopagem (ABCD); and
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Clare Egan (USA), WADA Athlete Council member, International Biathlon Union Athlete Commission Chair and two-time Olympic biathlete.
In keeping with the ‘Be Athlete Centered’ priority of WADA’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, the Agency is ensuring that athletes are involved in all aspects of anti-doping, including being part of its IO teams. As noted above, WADA Athlete Council member Clare Egan will be on hand as part of the team to provide an athlete’s perspective throughout the monitoring process.
Clare Egan said: “I am pleased to be joining the Independent Observer team for the 2023 Pan American Games. Having members of WADA’s Athlete Council on IO teams at major events provides opportunities for the Council to assess all aspects of the anti-doping process and eventually provide feedback regarding what we can do to make this part of an athlete’s career a positive experience. It is very important to me that a robust anti-doping program is implemented while still respecting athletes’ rights."
Athlete Engagement
WADA will have an Athlete Engagement team present at both the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games to deliver the ‘One Play True Team’ campaign while raising awareness and promoting clean sport. The team will run the program jointly with the Chilean NADO. The Program also includes a legacy aspect thanks to the banners and promotional resources that will be left behind for the Chilean NADO to use for their own engagement and outreach activities at future events.
The athlete-led team includes:
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Paola Mautino (Perú), two-time Pan American Games participant, nine-time national long jump champion and sprinter;
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Macarena Mondaca (Chile), Manager, Education and Awareness, Chile NADO;
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Gabriela Traña (Costa Rica), two-time Pan American Games participant, two-time Olympic long-distance runner and Costa Rican flag bearer at the 2012 London Games;
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Stacy Spletzer-Jegen (USA), WADA Senior Manager, Athlete Engagement; and
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Edna Serra (Uruguay), Office Manager, WADA Latin America Office.
As part of a circulatory vote that ended yesterday, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Executive Committee (ExCo) approved a revised recommendation of the Agency’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) to add the Bermuda National Anti-Doping Organization (Bermuda NADO) to WADA’s compliance ‘watchlist’1.
On 22 September 2023, the ExCo followed the CRC’s recommendation to allege the Bermuda NADO as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) due to a failure to appropriately implement the Code into their legislation.
In the days following the ExCo, the Bermuda NADO provided draft amendments to the legislation that WADA confirmed were in line with the Code, as well as a clear calendar for adoption of those amendments within four months. On this basis, the CRC has updated its recommendation for inclusion on the ‘watchlist’. As per the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), by adding the Bermuda NADO to the ‘watchlist’, the ExCo has given it four months to execute its corrective action plans. If by 12 February 2024 the non-conformities have not been corrected to the satisfaction of the CRC, the Bermuda NADO will be alleged as non-compliant without the need for a further decision by the ExCo.
The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with their obligations under the Code. The CRC Chair, Mr. Henry Gourdji, will report to the next meetings of the ExCo and Foundation Board that will be held on 16 and 17 November 2023.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from kabbadi athlete Adil Hussain from Pakistan has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for 19-norandrosterone, a non-specified Prohibited Substance, according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 4 October 2023. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-samples.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
List of Anti-Doping Rule Violations at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022
“We can confirm that Conor McGregor has re-entered the USADA testing pool as of Sunday, October 8, 2023. We have been clear and firm with the UFC that there should be no exception given by the UFC for McGregor to fight until he has returned two negative tests and been in the pool for at least six months. The rules also allow USADA to keep someone in the testing pool longer before competing based on their declarations upon entry in the pool and testing results.
Unfortunately, we do not currently know whether the UFC will ultimately honor the six-month or longer requirement because, as of January 1, 2024, USADA will no longer be involved with the UFC Anti-Doping Program. Despite a positive and productive meeting about a contract renewal in May 2023, the UFC did an about-face and informed USADA on Monday, October 9, that it was going in a different direction.
We are disappointed for UFC athletes, who are independent contractors who rely on our independent, gold-standard global program to protect their rights to a clean, safe, and fair Octagon. The UFC’s move imperils the immense progress made within the sport under USADA’s leadership.
The relationship between USADA and UFC became untenable given the statements made by UFC leaders and others questioning USADA’s principled stance that McGregor not be allowed to fight without being in the testing pool for at least six months. One UFC commentator echoed this, recently declaring that USADA should not oversee the UFC program since we held firm to the six-month rule involving McGregor, and since we do not allow fighters without an approved medical basis to use performance-enhancing drugs like experimental, unapproved peptides or testosterone for healing or injuries simply to get back in the Octagon.
Fighters’ long-term health and safety — in addition to a fair and level playing field — are more important to USADA than short-term profits at the expense of clean athletes. USADA is proud of the work we’ve done over the past eight years to clean up the UFC, and we will continue to provide our unparalleled service to UFC athletes through the remainder of our current contract, which ends December 31, 2023. As always, we will continue to uphold the rights and voices of clean athletes in all sport.”
Today’s announcement regarding the six-year sanction of Divine Oduduru under the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act (RADA) is another example of how the act is driving accountability in sport by exposing networks of conspirators working against clean athletes.
“Justice is once again being served in international sport thanks to the scope of RADA and the commitment of principled organizations like the Athletics Integrity Unit to seek the truth,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “We are honored to support all clean athletes through the act, and this is another win for those who value fair sport.”
A panel of independent arbitrators determined that Oduduru committed anti-doping rule violations that warranted a four-year suspension and concluded that another two years were appropriate for aggravating circumstances due to the athlete’s attempted use of multiple prohibited substances ahead of World Athletics’ competitions and the Tokyo Olympic Games.
The case arose out of the criminal investigation into Eric Lira, who was the first person to plead guilty under RADA for providing prohibited substances to Olympic athletes, including Oduduru, ahead of the Tokyo Games. Without RADA, Lira, who positioned himself as a doctor to athletes, likely would have escaped consequence for his conspiracy to defraud the Tokyo Games because he did not fall under any sport anti-doping rules.
RADA requires the sharing of information between law enforcement and USADA, and that collaboration has led to numerous cases and anti-doping rule violations, including the decision against Sabina Allen and the decision against Blessing Okagbare that prevented her from defrauding the Tokyo Games. In the case of Oduduru and Okagbare, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) brought the anti-doping cases and worked closely with USADA to successfully investigate and compile evidence. The ongoing collaboration between anti-doping organizations, law enforcement, and other federal agencies will continue to hold those accountable who conspire against the rules to rob clean athletes and defraud sport.
RADA was signed into law following the unprecedented state-sponsored doping fraud perpetrated by the Russian state and sport system on innocent athletes and fans across the globe.
Welsh rugby union player Joshua Hicks has been banned from all sport for a period of four years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of Prohibited Substances.
On 8 October 2022, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an In-Competition urine Sample from Mr Hicks at a game between Pembroke RFC and Penclawdd. Analysis of Mr Hicks’ Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for anastrozole, tamoxifen and drostanolone.
Anastrozole is listed under section S4.1 of the WADA 2022 Prohibited List as an Aromatase Inhibitor. It is a Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times.
Tamoxifen is listed under section S4.2 of the WADA 2022 Prohibited List as an Anti-Estrogenic Substance. It is a Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times.
Drostanolone is listed under section S1.1 of the WADA 2022 Prohibited List as an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid. It is a non-Specified Substance that is prohibited at all times.
On 16 December 2022, UKAD notified Mr Hicks that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample) and 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method) of the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), and provisionally suspended him.
Mr Hicks responded to UKAD’s Notice letter on 16 December 2022 and admitted taking the Prohibited Substances.
UKAD therefore charged Mr Hicks with ADRVs in relation to all three Prohibited Substances on 03 March 2023. On 21 March 2023, Mr Hicks re-iterated his admissions to taking the Prohibited Substances, but disputed the four-year period of Ineligibility asserted by UKAD.
On 04 April 2023, the matter was referred to the independent National Anti-Doping Panel (‘NADP’). However, on 28 June 2023, Mr Hicks confirmed that he now acceded to the period of Ineligibility of four years, and no longer wished to pursue a hearing before the NADP.
Speaking on the case, Hamish Coffey, UKAD Director of Operations, said:
“This case makes clear to those participating in rugby union in Wales that UKAD can conduct anti-doping Testing at all levels of WRU competition, and that all participants of the sport are liable for the consequences of their actions should they violate the ADR.
“All rugby players need to understand that taking banned substances will result in lengthy bans from the sports they love, and have trained long and hard to take part in. Rugby is a team sport, we want to protect sport for all, and we will always act to catch those individuals who try and cheat the system. It is never worth the risk.”
The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) added, “The WRU promotes Clean Sport, and players at every level of the game, must adhere to the WRU Anti-Doping Rules. It’s vital that players are aware of the risks if they decide to take a prohibited substance for performance-enhancing or recreational reasons. We want players to make good decisions both on and off the field.”
Mr Hicks is banned from all sport for a period of 4 years from 16 December 2022 to 15 December 2026 inclusive.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from Kurash athlete Tejen Tejenov from Turkmenistan, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited substances dehydrochloromethyl-testosterone metabolite and methasterone metabolites according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 30 September 2023 during the Kurash Mens +90kg finals. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has signed a four-year memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the World Health Organization (WHO), which will allow experts from both international organizations to collaborate and share information on issues where anti-doping and public health intersect.
The MOU was signed in Geneva, Switzerland, by WADA President, Witold Bańka, and Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The agreement will run until 1 October 2027 and provides a framework of cooperation between WADA and WHO to further their goals, specifically with regards to health promotion, the prevention of substance abuse and emerging drugs, and the promotion of clean sport.
Mr. Bańka said: “The memorandum of understanding signed today with the World Health Organization is a watershed moment that will benefit anti-doping efforts worldwide. WADA leads the global collaborative mission for doping-free sport; and, in so doing, we also protect the health of individuals around the world. One of the three criteria for a substance to be added to WADA’s Prohibited List of Substances and Methods is if it represents an actual or potential health risk to athletes. Through our agreement with WHO, experts from both organizations will be able to work collaboratively to exchange information on emerging substances and reinforce scientific positions that will ultimately benefit not only athletes, but society as a whole.
“WHO’s commitment to health and well-being of society at large fits perfectly with our mission. I want to thank Dr. Tedros and his team at WHO for their efforts leading up to this historic agreement and for their commitment to healthy, clean sport around the globe.”
The themes of the MOU include:
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Prevention and assessment of health risks associated with psychoactive substance use and related disorders, with a focus on doping compounds and substance use among athletes;
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Awareness raising and advocacy for clean sport and substance misuse prevention worldwide;
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Raising awareness through education initiatives with the support of goodwill ambassadors and influencers to drive positive change;
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Collaboration on sub-standard and falsified medical products, including identification of new emerging psychoactive drugs through sharing of information, mutual support, and engagement with sport federations; and
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Reporting on abuse and misuse of falsified and sub-standard medical products in sport.
Dr. Tedros said partnering with WADA reflected WHO’s commitment to work closely with the sport sector to encourage increased physical activity globally in order to promote healthier lives for all.
He said: "Sport and all forms of physical activity are essential to good health, and competitive sport plays a key role in inspiring people to be more active. The use of performance-enhancing substances can harm athletes, and certainly harms sport and those who look up to athletes as role-models. Keeping sport clean, therefore, has benefits beyond the sporting arena for the health and well-being of individuals and societies everywhere."
The MOU also aligns with the organizations’ common objective of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Goal 3: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. These goals stem from the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 and provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
This formal agreement between WADA and WHO follows an initial meeting between the two organizations which took place in April 2023 at the WHO headquarters in Geneva.
Published Friday, 29 September 2023.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Counsel of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from boxing athlete Mohammad Khaibar Nooristani (Afghanistan) has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited substances (i) 19-norandrosterone and (ii) Clostebol metabolite 4-chloro-3α-hydroxy-androst-4-en-17-one according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on 21 September 2023.
The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced today that Jonathan Stanley, a powerlifting athlete, received a three-year sanction for an anti-doping rule violation. The athlete’s urine sample, collected in competition on June 3, 2023, revealed the presence of trenbolone, oxandrolone, clostebol, nandrolone, drostanolone, and testosterone, six prohibited anabolic agents, as well as methylphenidate, a prohibited specified stimulant.
On August 12, 2023, the athlete signed an Early Admission and Acceptance of Sanction, thereby admitting to the violation and accepting the asserted period of ineligibility and all other consequences. As a result, the otherwise applicable four-year period of ineligibility was reduced by one year in accordance with Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) rule 10.8.1. Because the athlete was provisionally suspended, the sanction terminates on July 24, 2026.
During the sanction period, the athlete is ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the CADP or the World Anti-Doping Code, including training with teammates.
In compliance with rule 8.4 of the CADP, the CCES’s file outcome summary can be found in the Canadian Sport Sanction Registry.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was pleased to play a prominent role during the 3rd annual International Anti-Doping Symposium, which was hosted in a hybrid fashion on 24-25 September 2023, by the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA).
Commissioned and supported by CHINADA and Sports Bureau of Zhejiang Province, the symposium was co-organized by the Hangzhou Asian Organizing Committee and the Anti-Doping Branch of the China Sport Science Society. The event has become a staple on the clean sport calendar within the Asia/Oceania region.
Under the theme ‘Reinforcing Governance Capability of National Anti-Doping Organizations’, this year’s event attracted participants from the region and beyond, and its agenda focused on National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) compliance, development and capacity building and supporting NADO’s at major sporting events.
In his opening address, WADA President Witold Bańka thanked CHINADA for hosting the Symposium and commended the NADO for its leadership within the region. He also announced the Agency’s plans for global expansion of its Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department’s Anti-Doping I&I Network.
He said: “Over the past year, we have been bringing together anti-doping experts from NADOs and law enforcement agencies in Europe to build out an Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network. This project has already delivered tangible results, having dismantled several illicit steroid laboratories, and seized significant amounts of performance enhancing drugs, catching a number of doping athletes in the process.
“Due to its success, the WADA Intelligence and Investigations Department has decided to expand this project worldwide and establish a Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network. We will do this region by region, with the next phase of the project beginning in Asia/Oceania as of 2025. We believe it is a great opportunity to increase I&I capacities here, strengthen our relationships with law enforcement, and make a significant impact in the protection of clean sport just as we are doing in Europe.”
During the first day of the Symposium, Director General Olivier Niggli presented WADA’s Strategic Plan, the Agency’s short and long-term priorities, and went through the various ways the Agency was helping to build capacity within NADOs and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations (RADOs) in Asia and around the world. WADA Vice-President Yang Yang also delivered a keynote speech focusing on the importance of education and WADA’s athlete-centered approach.
Yang Yang said: “Education is and must remain our first line of support for athletes. It has a strong voice within our governance structure, and it is also reflected in the fact there is now an International Standard for Education and a dedicated, stand-alone Education Department at WADA.
“As part of the ‘Be Athlete Centered’ priority of the Agency’s Strategic Plan, WADA is always looking at ways to engage and empower athletes to contribute to the development of anti-doping policies. We are constantly striving to simplify the anti-doping journey for athletes so they can forge healthy and sustainable careers in sport. We want to ensure we are listening to the views of athletes worldwide and addressing the matters that are of most interest to them.”
WADA Chief Operating Officer, Stuart Kemp, and Director of WADA’s European Office and Sport Movement Relations, Sébastien Gillot, also contributed their expertise to the symposium with sessions on World Anti-Doping Code compliance, and Anti-Doping Organization development and capacity building.
According to Article 20.5 of the World Anti-Doping Code (hereinafter Code), it is not within the authority of a national anti-doping organization, such as RUSADA, to amend national legislation (in this case, the laws of the Russian Federation). RUSADA is not a governmental body, does not have the right to issue any legislation and has no right of legislative initiative.
Article 23.2 of the Code states that "The Signatories shall implement applicable Code provisions through policies, statutes, rules or regulations according to their authority and within their relevant spheres of responsibility."
The Code is implemented in Russia through the All-Russian Anti-Doping Rules, which are enacted in accordance with the Federal Law "On Physical Culture and Sport in the Russian Federation" of December 4, 2007, No. 329-FZ.
RUSADA has taken extensive measures to reinstate the agency's compliance status within the framework of its functions and powers. To date, WADA has not received any complaints about RUSADA's work regarding the application of the CAS Award.
RUSADA is currently evaluating the documents received to determine whether a notice of disagreement with WADA's decision is required. The subject of compliance evaluation may be brought to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne in the event of notice.
RUSADA continues to carry out its functions without limitations and in strict accordance with international standards and regulations.
Polish professional boxer Kamil Sokolowski has been banned from all sport for a period of three years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.
On 12 November 2022, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) collected an In-Competition urine Sample from Mr Sokolowski after his fight against Frazer Clarke at the AO Arena in Manchester. Analysis of Mr Sokolowski’s Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for the exogenous origin of testosterone and its Metabolites 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (‘5αAdiol’) and 5βandrostane-3α,17β-diol (‘5βAdiol’).
Testosterone is listed under section S1.1 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List as an anabolic androgenic steroid. It is a non-Specified substance which, when administered exogenously, is prohibited in sport at all times.
On 21 April 2023, UKAD notified Mr Sokolowski of the AAFs and issued him with a Provisional Suspension from sport.
Mr Sokolowski responded to UKAD’s Notice on 30 April 2023 indicating that he used a supplement which he believed contained the Prohibited Substances found in his Sample.
On 26 May 2023, UKAD charged Mr Sokolowski with the commission of ADRVs for the Presence and Use of Prohibited Substances. Mr Sokolowski admitted the ADRVs and accepted the asserted period of Ineligibility. In accordance with ADR Article 10.8.1, Mr Sokolowski was able to reduce the asserted four-year period of Ineligibility to three years, after admitting the violations and accepting the asserted period of Ineligibility within twenty days of the Charge Letter.
Mr Sokolowski’s ban from all WADA Code-compliant sport commenced on 21 April 2023 and will expire at midnight on 20 April 2026.
Speaking on the case, Hamish Coffey, UKAD Director of Operations said: “Strict liability applies to all athletes under the Anti-Doping Rules. It is essential that athletes take responsibility for what goes in their body. By not following the rules, athletes put their health and careers at risk and they will face a lengthy ban from sport.”
Published Thursday, 07 September 2023.
Published Friday, 01 September 2023.
Inspired by the calls of trail running athletes, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is pleased to announce a partnership with Salomon North America and the Golden Trail Series to conduct pre-race anti-doping education and in-competition testing at the Pikes Peak Ascent and Mammoth Trail Fest this September. The partnership is an important first step in implementing robust anti-doping protocols and practices to provide trail runners with access to a level playing field.
“Trail running athletes have been calling for robust anti-doping protocols in their sport for years and we are honored to stand with them in the effort,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “This partnership with the Golden Trail National Series is a great step in the right direction and we hope to see more progress in the future with additional education, increased in-competition testing, and the potential addition of out-of-competition testing.”
Under the current agreement, USADA will deliver a pre-race education webinar for all athletes competing in the Mammoth Trail Fest in Mammoth Lakes, California and the Pikes Peak Ascent, where athletes will attempt to summit Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs at a grueling vertical climb of 7,800 feet. Additionally, athletes competing in these events will be subject to urine testing during the in-competition period. All testing will be conducted in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) International Standard for Testing and Investigations.
“At Mammoth Trail Fest, we believe in with respect to the environment, competitive sport, and our community, there is no place for shortcuts or compromised ethics,” shares Mammoth Trail Fest race director, Tim Tollefson. “We remain committed to clean sport through advocacy and education. We are delighted that we now offer legitimate gold standard race-day testing at both races through USADA.”
“The Golden Trail Series brings an elevated level of competition to the Pikes Peak Ascent, and with this level of competition, we want to advocate for clean sport and enhance the future of trail running,” says Ryan Linder, Pikes Peak Marathon race director. “Overall, the Pikes Peak Marathon is thrilled to collaborate with Salomon and Mammoth Trail Fest to make this partnership with USADA possible.”
Results management will be conducted by USADA and handled according to the WADA International Standard for Results Management. As always when USADA is the results management authority, any sanctions will be published on the USADA website after conclusion of the results management process. Race organizers will withhold prize money until the results are processed.
The ITA’s partnership with Caribbean RADO focuses on harmonising testing efforts to ensure an effective allocation of resources and intelligence-led programs at both national and international levels. The collaboration also supports the exchange of information between the ITA and the Caribbean RADO to the benefit of potential investigations and intelligence-led doping controls in the countries and for the athletes it represents. Finally, the collaboration also extends to identifying mutual efficiencies and opportunities for capacity building in the area of anti-doping education.
The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization is based in Barbados and acts as the secretariat to coordinate anti-doping efforts in the countries of Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Montserrat, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, The Virgin Islands (US), Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos Islands. It was established in 2005, one year after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) created the RADO program to strengthen the protection of athletes in regions where countries organise their anti-doping efforts within regional conglomerates and is one of three RADOs in the Americas. It is the third RADO to enter a partnership with the ITA after the Central Asian and Panamerican RADOs.
“We are very pleased to officialise our collaboration with the Caribbean RADO and strengthen our network of partnerships in the Americas,” said ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen. “Through our joint agreement we can work hand in hand to enhance anti-doping efforts for international-level athletes from the countries the Caribbean RADO represents and those who are tested within their territory. Seamless information-sharing between our two organisations will furthermore ensure that investigations into any potential doping offences can be conducted across borders and regions. I welcome the Caribbean RADO to our network of partnerships with national and regional anti-doping organisations and look forward to working with them for our joint cause of fair play and clean sport.”
“The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization is committed to fostering a clean-sport environment, ensuring that our member countries are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code, while protecting the rights of athletes,” said Patrick Werleman, Chairman of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization. “As such, we focus on establishing key partnerships with regional and international organizations. We are enthusiastic about the new collaboration agreement between the Caribbean RADO and the International Testing Agency (ITA). We have worked well with the ITA on numerous occasions; and this MOU further highlights our continued commitment to the delivery of high-quality anti-doping services. The Caribbean RADO coordinates most of the sample collection in our member countries on behalf of local, regional, and international sporting bodies. This collaboration with the ITA is especially valuable in the areas of testing, information sharing and intelligence. We are looking forward to working closer and more effectively with the ITA to the benefit of our member countries and the Caribbean region as a whole.”
The ITA has already established bilateral collaboration agreements with over 30 National and Regional Anti-Doping Organisations on all continents of the world. The ITA strongly believes that the anti-doping community is able to bring the support of athletes to the next level by working hand-in-hand with all other anti-doping organisations. Consequently, the ITA will continue to welcome to its network any National and Regional Anti-Doping Organisation that wishes to strengthen synergies between national and international level anti-doping programs.
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of Basketball Australia to impose a one-month ban on Tahjere McCall for the Presence of a metabolite of a Prohibited Substance.
Mr McCall, an American professional basketball player who is contracted to the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League (NBL), returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an In-Competition doping control test on 3 February 2023 at the Perth v Cairns game at RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia.
Mr McCall’s sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, and the presence of 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (metabolite of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)) was detected.
The substance THC is listed under class S8 (Cannabinoids) and is classified as a Specified Substance under the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List – 2023 (2023 Prohibited List) and is prohibited In-Competition. THC is also classified as a ‘Substance of Abuse’ under the 2023 Prohibited List.
As of 1 January 2021, under Article 10.2.4.1 of the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021 (ANADP), if an Athlete tests positive to a 'Substance of Abuse’ (such as Marijuana or Cocaine), then the Athlete’s period of Ineligibility may be reduced to three months if the Athlete is able to prove that the substance was ingested or Used Out-of-Competition and was unrelated to sport performance.
In addition, the Athlete’s period of Ineligibility calculated under Article 10.2.4.1 of the ANADP may be further reduced to one month if the Athlete satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment program approved by Sport Integrity Australia.
In Mr McCall’s case, all requirements for a reduction in the period of Ineligibility under Article 10.2.4.1 of the ANADP were satisfied.
Basketball Australia thereby imposed a one-month period of Ineligibility on Mr McCall, commencing on 21 June 2023.
Mr McCall was ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 21 July 2023.
The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) has unveiled an extensive testing plan for the World Athletics Championships Budapest 23 – in partnership with the Hungarian Anti-Doping Agency (HUNADO) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) – with more than 1,100 tests combined, for profiling and detection, to be undertaken for the elite event.
On the eve of the Championships in the Hungarian capital, AIU Chair David Howman detailed the highlights of the AIU’s Test Distribution Plan yesterday. The wide range of tests and analyses include up to 600 pre-competition tests (for profiling purposes mainly) in the period 14-24 August at the athletes’ hotels as well as up to 550 in-competition tests (mainly detection tests) at the stadium.
“This is one of the biggest and most intensive anti-doping programmes outside of the Olympic Games,” he noted.
“We are determined to protect the integrity of the World Championships, in particular the podium, and the scope of testing underlines the level of our commitment to our mandate.”
Urine, blood and Dried Blood Spot (DBS) samples will be collected and analysed for a wide range of substances or methods: EPO and Growth Hormones analyses on urine and blood samples; Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) analyses for steroid doping; and Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) analyses for blood doping and steroid doping. Other analyses such as blood transfusion analyses and analyses for steroid esters will be performed. All samples will be collected by the Hungarian Anti-Doping Agency (HUNADO) and will be analysed at the WADA-accredited laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria.
“We are pleased to have good facilities in which to work; nine testing locations at hotels and two world-class testing locations at competition venues. The AIU appreciates the great rapport and collaboration which it has enjoyed with the LOC for Budapest 23 and we look forward to supporting clean athletes and competition through our important work,” added Howman.
The AIU has been closely monitoring national testing programmes in the lead-up to Budapest, in accordance with Rule 15 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules, and has observed that the level of testing of elite athletes has generally increased compared with last year, thanks to the joint efforts of the AIU and National Federations, supported by their National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO). Due to exceptional circumstances arising from the war in Ukraine, the AIU Board has exempted 12 Ukrainian athletes from the strict eligibility requirement under Rule 15 to have at least three out-of-competition tests in the ten months prior to the Championships.
Another key component of the AIU’s mission at Budapest 23 is the continuation of a pilot study, initiated last year in collaboration with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which has been exploring a new and less invasive method for collecting blood samples from athletes for anti-doping profiling purposes. Athletes selected for doping control in Budapest will be asked to contribute to the study by providing an additional sample using the new device. The results will be compared with the routine samples.
“The AIU is constantly looking to innovate and upgrade our technology, and this is a major step in advancing our blood-collection protocols. There were some very promising results trialling the new device at previous events, including this year’s Boston Marathon,” explained Howman.
As for every World Championships, doping control samples collected in Budapest will be transferred to a dedicated long-term storage facility, after the initial analyses have been performed, with the view to re-analyse them in the future, using the latest available detection analyses or methods.
Statements released by UK Anti-Doping regarding Conor Benn
Last updated: 17 August 2023, 15:23 BST
17 August 2023
A UKAD spokesperson, said:
“UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) can today confirm that it has filed an appeal in respect of a decision handed down by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel regarding anti-doping proceedings brought by UKAD against Mr Conor Benn.
“As confirmed previously in UKAD’s statement on 28 July 2023, Mr Benn is no longer subject to a provisional suspension.
“The appeal process will now be followed in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
"UKAD issues this statement in accordance with Article 14.3.4 of the World Anti-Doping Code and is not able to make any further public disclosures at this time.”
28 July 2023
A UKAD spokesperson, said:
“In April 2023 UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) took the exceptional step of publicly disclosing details of Mr Conor Benn’s provisional suspension and charge following reports from the media and comments made by Mr Benn himself. UKAD’s statement also confirmed that the case would follow the Results Management process in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
“UKAD notes that Mr Benn has made further public comments today regarding proceedings before the independent National Anti-Doping Panel. UKAD can confirm Mr Benn is no longer provisionally suspended under the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
“The UK Anti-Doping Rules detail limited circumstances in which UKAD is able to make public disclosures about ongoing cases. They also set out a clear process within which cases can be heard and decisions can be handed down by the independent National Anti-Doping Panel. Where case decisions are handed down by a panel, the Rules provide all relevant parties with a right of appeal. Under the Rules, UKAD has 21 days from the date of receipt of a decision to file any appeal. UKAD carefully reviews all decisions in its cases before deciding whether to exercise its right of appeal.
“UKAD is not able to make any further public disclosures in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules at this time.”
20 April 2023
A UKAD spokesperson, said:
“Following a public consultation in late 2020, and having considered the results of that consultation, UKAD’s Board decided in February 2021 that UKAD will not routinely publicly disclose the fact that an Athlete has been charged or provisionally suspended before a charge has been resolved. However, it was also recognised that there might be limited and rare examples where it is appropriate to do so in ‘exceptional circumstances’, as set out in UKAD’s Policy on Public disclosure of provisional suspensions and charges available here.
"Following reports in the media and comments made by professional boxer Mr Conor Benn on Tuesday 18 April 2023, and in exceptional circumstances, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) confirms that Mr Benn was notified and provisionally suspended by UKAD on 15 March 2023 in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules. Whilst provisionally suspended Mr Benn is prohibited from participating in any capacity (or assisting another Athlete in any capacity) in a Competition, Event or activity that is organised, convened, authorised or recognised by the British Boxing Board of Control or any other World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport.
"UKAD can also confirm that on 3 April 2023 it charged Mr Benn with an Article 2.2 violation for the alleged Use of a Prohibited Substance (clomifene). The charge against Mr Benn is pending and will now follow the Results Management process in accordance with the UK Anti-Doping Rules.
"UKAD issues this statement in accordance with its Policy on Public disclosure of provisional suspensions and charges and Articles 7.10.7 and 7.11.5 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules. UKAD will not be providing any further comment at this stage.”
15 October 2022
UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD) Chief Executive, Jane Rumble, said: “UKAD takes all matters of suspected doping activity very seriously. We act on all reports of doping and encourage anyone with information on suspected doping activity to come forward and share that with us in confidence via our Protect Your Sport initiative.
“UKAD will not comment publicly on the specific facts of any case that may or may not be ongoing. We do this to respect and ensure the confidentiality of information as required by the World Anti-Doping Code and other applicable laws and regulations. Athletes know their rights and responsibilities when it comes to anti-doping and we will continue to work tirelessly to remove anyone from sport that breaks the rules.”
6 October 2022
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Chief Executive, Jane Rumble said, “UKAD notes the reporting of a failed VADA test by the boxer Conor Benn with concern. UKAD acts on all reports of doping and always encourages anyone with information on suspected doping activity to come forward and share that with us.”
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has confirmed that Rugby League player Rob Worrincy has been banned from all sport for a period of three years following first Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Use and Presence of Prohibited Substances in his urine Sample.
On 20 January 2023, UKAD collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Mr Worrincy at a Hunslet RLFC squad training session. Analysis of Mr Worrincy’s urine Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for ostarine (enobosarm), ibutamoren and GW1516 Metabolites; GW1516-sulfoxide and GW1516-sulfone.
Ostarine is listed under section 1.2 of the 2023 WADA Prohibited List as an Anabolic Agent. Ibutamoren is listed under section 2.4 of the 2023 WADA Prohibited List as a Peptide Hormone. GW1516 is listed under section 4.4 of the 2023 WADA Prohibited List as a Hormone and Metabolic Modulator. All three substances are prohibited at all times.
On 24 February 2023, UKAD notified Mr Worrincy that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample) and 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method) of the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), and provisionally suspended him from that date.
Mr Worrincy responded to UKAD’s Notice on 01 March 2023 admitting the ADRVs, indicating that he had used a supplement that contained the Prohibited Substances found in his Sample.
UKAD charged Mr Worrincy with both ADRVs on 24 March 2023, which Mr Worrincy promptly accepted.
In accordance with ADR Article 10.8.1, Mr Worrincy was able to reduce the asserted four-year period of Ineligibility to three years, after admitting the violations and accepting the asserted period of Ineligibility within twenty days of the Charge Letter
Mr Worrincy’s ban from all WADA Code-compliant sport commenced on 24 February 2023 and will expire at midnight on 23 February 2026.
Speaking on the case, Hamish Coffey, UKAD’s Director of Operations said: “Athletes who violate the Anti-Doping Rules face a ban from sport. It is important that all athletes follow the Anti-Doping Rules and understand the risks associated with using supplements.”
The Rugby Football League added: “We support UKAD in their determination to ensure that sport is clean, and therefore in their testing programme in and out of competition, of part-time as well as full-time players. This is another example of how strict liability places responsibility on all athletes in these matters, and the serious repercussions of a positive test.”
On 19-20 October, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) met in-person, for its third and final regular meeting this year, to discuss a range of important issues related to WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Compliance Monitoring Program.
The CRC Chair, Henry Gourdji, who was accompanied by CRC members and WADA Management in Montreal, led discussions on the following matters:
- New cases of Signatory non-compliance with the Code and International Standards involving legislation, the Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ), and audit and non-respect of Signatory consequences cases. The cases will be presented to WADA’s Executive Committee on 16 November if the non-conformities discussed by the CRC are still not resolved;
- The latest update on the reinstatement conditions imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in its award related to the case between WADA and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency;
- An update on:
- Current non-compliant Signatories, including the National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Gabon, and the International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding;
- Signatories currently on the ’watchlist‘, including the NADOs of Algeria, Angola, Bermuda, Ecuador, Mongolia, Morocco and the Philippines;
- Signatories whose cases will be referred to the CAS, namely the NADOs of Russia (in relation to additional consequences and conditions of reinstatement) and South Africa.
- An update on the operations of Ukraine’s NADO and testing of Ukraine athletes. The Ukraine NADO has a suspended compliance case due to force majeure in relation to the ongoing Russian Federation invasion of Ukraine;
- The latest on the amendments to the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories following stakeholder consultation process initiated in June 2023;
- An update on the development and implementation of WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program, including an update on anti-doping rules and legislation review, the CCQ, and WADA’s Signatory audit program. In addition, the CRC reviewed WADA’s progress on its Compliance Annual Plan and approved WADA’s Signatory Audit Plan for 2024.
The CRC also held an in-camera session on 18 October to prepare, review and discuss documentation received.
WADA and the CRC also took the opportunity to express their appreciation to Penny Heyns, who currently fills the athlete member seat of the CRC. Her term concludes at the end of 2023.
The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with the Code.
Mr. Gourdji will report to the next Executive Committee meeting on 16 November and the Foundation Board on 17 November.
FROM 1 JANUARY 2024, TRAMADOL WILL BE PROHIBITED FROM IN-COMPETITION USE IN SPORT. DO YOU KNOW IF OR HOW THIS ADDITION TO THE PROHIBITED LIST MAY AFFECT YOU?
What is tramadol?
Tramadol is a synthetic opioid pain medication used to treat moderate-to-severe pain. It is sometimes used to treat pain due to sports injuries in athletes. It is in the category of “Narcotics” on the Prohibited List.
Tramadol is available in many different formulations, and is sold under many various brand names in different countries. Examples of brand names include: Tramal, Tramedo, Tramake, Zydol. Many other brand names exist and so athletes should check with their doctor or pharmacist what brands are prescribed in their own countries.
How does a substance get added to the Prohibited List?
For a substance to be placed on the Prohibited List it must meet two of the three following criteria:
- It has the potential to enhance or enhances performance
- It represents and actual or potential health risk to the athlete
- It violates the spirit of sport
Which criteria does tramadol meet?
Recent studies have confirmed the potential to enhance physical performance in certain activities. Read one of the studies here: Is tramadol a performance enhancing drug?
Tramadol use has potential health risks for athletes. It can result in serious side effects, which include addiction and physical dependence, seizures and decreased alertness.
Use of tramadol for the purpose of performance enhancement is also against the spirit of sport.
When is tramadol banned?
Athletes will be prohibited to use tramadol during the in-competition period unless they have a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
What is the In-Competition period?
The in-competition period usually begins at 11:59pm on the night before competition, but always check your International Federation’s (IF) Anti-Doping Rules.
Use of tramadol for urgent or emergency treatment of pain
Sometimes tramadol is required to be prescribed and administered to athletes for the urgent or emergency treatment of pain, such as when a severe, painful injury occurs during sport. When required for urgent or emergency treatment during the in-competition period, a Retroactive TUE should be applied for. It is therefore important that your doctor keeps good medical records of tramadol administration as it will be needed for this purpose.
I’m an athlete and I sometimes take tramadol for pain: what do I need to do?
Tell your doctor that tramadol is banned in-competition in sport. Ask them to consider your treatment options and possible alternatives.
If you require tramadol for your condition, ask your doctor to support you in submitting a TUE application. This may be a “Retroactive TUE” if tramadol was needed urgently for emergency treatment.
Understand the process around TUEs and whether you need one. Make sure you follow the necessary steps and have the required medical documentation. The ITA Athlete Hub is an excellent resource for more information on these topics.
Consequences of taking prohibited substances
The consequences of a positive test for a substance on the Prohibited List can be wide-ranging, with potential serious adverse effects to your health, sanctions from competing in your sport which will impact your sporting career, social and family network and potentially your finances.
You can find two interesting webinars on the ITA YouTube channel about the consequences of doping. Check out this playlist, or watch them directly below.
Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) player Kaiden Carnell has been banned from all sport for a period of three years following Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.
On 9 March 2023, UKAD collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Mr Carnell at a Ystrad Rhondda squad training session. Analysis of Mr Carnell’s urine Sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for oxandrolone.
Oxandrolone is a Prohibited Substance listed under S.1 of the 2023 WADA Prohibited List. It is an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid, which is prohibited at all times.
On 14 April 2023, UKAD notified Mr Carnell that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance in an Athlete’s Sample) and 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance) of the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR). Mr Carnell was also provisionally suspended from all World Anti-Doping Code-compliant sport from that same date.
Mr Carnell responded to UKAD’s Notice letter on 24 April 2023, admitting the ADRVs. UKAD charged Mr Carnell with both ADRVs on 2 June 2023. On 16 June 2023, Mr Carnell responded to the Charge Letter, confirming that he had used oxandrolone, and admitting both ADRVs and the applicable consequences.
Under ADR Article 10.8.1, Mr Carnell’s prompt admission of the ADRVs afforded him a one-year reduction to his ban.
Speaking on the case, Hamish Coffey, UKAD Director of Operations, said:
“The Anti-Doping Rules apply to all Athletes. Those rules are here to keep players safe and protect the integrity of sport. All participants in the sport of rugby union are liable for the consequences of their actions should they violate the Anti-Doping Rules.
“Rugby is a team sport. Doping impacts the whole team. It’s not worth the risk. Always play clean and respect the rules of the game.”
Mr Carnell’s period of ineligibility is deemed to have commenced on 14 April 2023 (the date of the provisional suspension) and will expire on 13 April 2026.
Further to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA's) Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting of 22 September 2023, and the update of 28 September 2023, WADA wishes to update stakeholders regarding the ExCo’s decision to follow the recommendation of WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) to allege new consequences and reinstatement conditions against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), which is already non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code(1). The non-compliance in this case was a result of a non-conformity relating to national legislation that was identified during a virtual audit in September 2022 and not addressed to date.
Under Article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), RUSADA had 21 days following the date of receipt of the formal notice of non-compliance to dispute the consequences and/or the reinstatement conditions proposed by the Agency.
Today, WADA has received formal notification from RUSADA that it disputes WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, the proposed consequences and reinstatement conditions. WADA will shortly refer the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for its consideration. As such, the consequences will not apply until such time as CAS makes its ruling.
(1) As it relates to the December 2020 decision by CAS, since the end of the two-year period of consequences imposed by CAS, WADA has been assessing and monitoring RUSADA to see whether it meets all the reinstatement conditions contained in the CAS decision. Until all the reinstatement conditions are met, RUSADA cannot be considered for reinstatement. In addition, RUSADA will not be eligible for reinstatement under the CAS Award until the non-conformity related to its national legislation (described above) is resolved.
For more information on non-compliant Signatories
There are currently four non-compliant Code Signatories. They are the NADOs from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Gabon and Russia, as well as the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation.
For more information on the Signatories and the consequences, please visit the ‘Global list of non-compliant signatories and applicable consequences’ page of WADA’s website. While WADA will monitor the implementation of the consequences, under Code Article 24.1.9, other Signatories to the Code must recognize and implement the consequences in full.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from boxing athlete Chinzorig Baatarsukh from Mongolia has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for metandienone metabolite, a non-specified Prohibited Substance, according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an in-competition anti-doping control performed on 4 October 2023. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-samples.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
List of Anti-Doping Rule Violations at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022
Divine Oduduru has been banned for six years by a three-member Disciplinary Tribunal for committing two Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) of Possession of Prohibited Substances and the Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Method and ordered to pay World Athletics US$3000 towards its expenses regarding the case.
The ban takes retroactive effect from 9 February 2023 – the date on which the Nigerian sprinter’s provisional suspension began – and runs until 8 February 2029, while all his results from July 12 2021 until the date of his provisional suspension have been disqualified.
The case arose out of the criminal investigation into Eric Lira who earlier this year became the first person to plead guilty under the US Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act to providing performance enhancement drugs to Olympic athletes in advance of the Tokyo Olympic Games (Southern District of New York | First Defendant Charged With Violating Anti-Doping Act Pleads Guilty In Manhattan Federal Court | United States Department of Justice). The initial complaint issued by the US Department of Justice against Lira in January 2022 made reference to two athletes, “Athlete1” and “Athlete-2”. By comparing information from Blessing Okagbare’s doping cases, which resulted in a cumulative 11-year ban for her last year, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) concluded that “Athlete-1” was Okagbare and, following an interview with her Nigerian teammate Oduduru, in May 2022, the AIU concluded that Oduduru was “Athlete-2”.
“We are very pleased with the outcome of this matter, given its particularly grievous nature, exposing the sinister collusion between athletes and other persons in deliberate plans to corrupt athletics at the highest level,” said Brett Clothier, Head of the AIU – World Athletics’ independent integrity arm which brought the charges against Oduduru.
“The AIU is fully committed to unearthing cheats and the extent of their networks. In our quest to protect the integrity of athletics, we often work closely with other investigative organisations. On this occasion, we are grateful for the assistance from the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and United States Department of Justice whose legal reach provided vital evidence which helped in this matter as well as in our case against Blessing Okagbare last year.”
The panel found Oduduru guilty of Possession of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method under Rule 2.6 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) and of Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method (ADR 2.2), together treated as a single first violation. Oduduru received a mandatory fouryear ban for the combined violation, with an additional two years for Aggravating Circumstances (ADR 10.4), after the panel determined there was justification for increasing the period of ineligibility, due to the athlete having multiple nonspecified Prohibited Substances which he attempted to use in the lead-up to World Athletics’ competitions and the Tokyo Olympic Games (summer 2021).
“To procure those substances, he engaged into a scheme with his teammate who in her turn was procuring those substances on his behalf from a person who was illegally bringing them to US in order to distribute among athletes with the aim to improve their sport performance, thus influencing unfairly the outcome of athletic competitions, including the major ones. The Panel considers this behaviour to be particularly serious,” read the decision.
While the panel did not uphold the AIU’s charge against Oduduru of Use of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method, it was satisfied that he had engaged in conduct that constituted a substantial step in a course of conduct planned to culminate in the Use of a Prohibited Substance and therefore upheld the Attempted Use charge.
Oduduru, who turned 27 on 7 October, maintained his innocence despite overwhelming evidence against him. At the core of the AIU’s case were Whatsapp messages between Okagbare and Lira, which revealed Okagbare soliciting Prohibited Substances on Oduduru’s behalf, and photographic evidence of multiple Prohibited Substances discovered in Oduduru’s Florida apartment.
The Prohibited Substances found in Oduduru’s apartment were two boxes of Somatropin, “Xerendip” and “Humatrope”, which were identified as human growth hormone; a plastic ziplock bag labelled “IGF LR3” – an abbreviation for synthetic or “recombinant” Insulin Growth Factor – containing three vials, and two boxes of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO). According to testimony, one of the boxes of EPO was open and had only one of six vials remaining.
Also discovered in the apartment was an opened US Postal Service envelope containing “Xerendip” – addressed to Okagbare and with Lira labelled as the sender.
“The Panel finds it to be an extraordinary coincidence that all the Prohibited Substances found in the Athlete’s apartment were precisely those requested from Mr. Lira by Ms. Okagbare for her and “Divine”, specifying that she had to give (to Divine) his stuff too and for which she tested positive (EPO and hGH),” asserted the Panel.
Given the Prohibited Substances found in Oduduru’s apartment, when and where they were found, and the fact that he had exclusive control of the apartment, the panel concluded that Oduduru was in constructive possession of the Prohibited Substances.
As we approach the final stages of the 2023 tour season, the ITIA is reminding players and their support teams to be aware of upcoming changes to the WADA [World Anti-Doping Agency] Prohibited List, which will take effect from 1 January 2024.
The full list of prohibited substances has been published by WADA and is available here. The most notable change to the list is the addition of tramadol, a well-known and commonly used pain-killing drug. Tramadol will become a prohibited substance in the new year, following recommendation of the List Expert Advisory Group to prohibit its use in competition from 2024.
Tramadol has been on the WADA Monitoring Program and data gathered through that programme have indicated significant use in sports. Tramadol abuse, with its dose-dependent risks of physical dependence, opiate addiction and overdoses in the general population, is of concern and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries. Research studies funded by WADA have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance sports performance.
The ITIA will work with everyone on the tennis tour to ensure that players understand the changes to the WADA Prohibited List in 2024. Players who currently use tramadol as part of their pain management regimen are urged to phase out its use as soon as possible, as its presence in a player’s system will constitute a breach of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) from January 2024 – except in the cases in which a player successfully applies for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), with legitimate medical grounds for use.
Committed to prioritising prevention of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) over punishment, the ITIA will – in collaboration with the ATP, WTA, and ITF - deliver a mixture of direct communication, education sessions and visual reminders in player-facing areas at tournaments to ensure that players are fully aware of the changes ahead of the 2024 season.
Nicole Sapstead, the ITIA’s Senior Director for Anti-Doping, said: “It is essential that all players and their representatives are aware of upcoming changes to the Prohibited List. In particular, players must note the addition of tramadol as a banned substance from next year.
“As a sport, we have a collective responsibility to ensure that the non-essential use of tramadol is eliminated before the changes to the Prohibited List take effect.
“Being unaware of changes to the list is, unfortunately, no defence against prospective sanctions, and it is incumbent upon the entire tennis family to protect players from unintentional doping violations by taking a proactive approach to rule changes.”
Players seeking further understanding of the WADA Prohibited List, or seeking practical support from the ITIA on anti-doping matters, can make contact with us directly via our app, through direct message on social media, or by filling out the contact form at itia.tennis.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from weightlifter Erdenezul Buyandelger, from Mongolia, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited steroid drostanolone metabolite according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on 1 October 2023. The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. She has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
The International Testing Agency (ITA), mandated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) to independently handle areas of the anti-doping program at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, including results management, reports that a sample collected from track and field athlete Wesam Nasser A ALFARSI, from Saudi Arabia, has returned an Adverse Analytical Finding¹ for the non-specified prohibited substance darbepoetin (dEPO) according to the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The sample was collected by the ITA at the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 during an out-of-competition anti-doping control performed on 29 September 2023.
The Sample Collection Authority was the China Anti-Doping Agency.
The athlete has been informed of the case and has been provisionally suspended with immediate effect. He has the right to request the analysis of the B-sample.
The matter will thereafter be referred to the Anti-Doping Division of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS ADD) for adjudication under the OCA Anti-Doping Rules.
Given that the case is underway, there will be no further comments during the ongoing proceeding.
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a human anti-doping case.
A sample taken from the Brazilian athlete Pedro Stefani Marino (FEI ID 10017829) on 5 December 2021 during the CEI3* 160 Punta del Este (URU), returned positive for the Prohibited Substance Carboxy-THC. Carboxy-THC is a metabolite of THC (Cannabis) and is included in the Class “S8 Cannabinoids” of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List 2021. The athlete was notified of the violation of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) on 2 February 2022.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal decided to suspend the athlete for a period of two years, starting from the date of the Final Decision (2 October 2023). Additionally, all competitive results of the Athlete obtained at the Event and from the date of the hearing onwards (15 May 2023) were disqualified with all the relevant consequences (forfeiture of any medals, points and prizes, etc.). Any competitive results from the conclusion of the Event up until the date of the hearing remained valid. Finally, the Athlete was imposed a fine of CHF 7,500 and ordered to pay costs of CHF 5,000.
The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.
The full text of the FEI Tribunal’s Final Decision is available here.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today confirmed that British bobsledder Nathan Togun will serve an additional nine-year ban from sport following an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for Tampering and a breach of the terms of his original ban.
In August 2019, Mr Togun was issued with a four-year ban from sport after a Sample he provided on 6 October 2018 returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for metabolites of stanozolol. In the course of those proceedings, Mr Togun asserted that he had been prescribed stanozolol for a medical condition and provided UKAD with a ‘Statement of fitness for work’ certificate to support that assertion. This certificate purported to confirm that Mr Togun was not fit for work and indicated that he had been prescribed stanozolol.
UKAD made enquiries to check the veracity of the document and found that the document was not genuine.
On 11 November 2022, UKAD charged Mr Togun with the commission of an ADRV for Tampering. On 14 February 2023, Mr Togun admitted the charge. Since this was Mr Togun’s second ADRV, the period of Ineligibility to be applied is eight years (which is twice the ban that would have been applied had this been Mr Togun’s first ADRV).
Separately, in late 2019, UKAD became aware that Mr Togun, while serving his original ban, had been assisting an Athlete licensed by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC). Contrary to the terms of his ban, Mr Togun partook in sparring sessions with the Athlete and assisted him with strength and conditioning sessions.
On 25 October 2022 following a full investigation, UKAD charged Mr Togun with a breach of Article 10.12.1 of the ADR and proposed an additional period of Ineligibility of one-year by way of sanction. Mr Togun accepted this new period of Ineligibility in respect of the breach of his original ban.
Mr Togun’s nine-year ban from sport was deemed to have commenced on 13 November 2022 and will expire on 12 November 2031.
Jane Rumble, UKAD’s Chief Executive, added: “The rules are in place to make sure everyone plays their part in keeping sport clean and to ensure a level playing field.
“Tampering with any part of the Doping Control process is a serious offence. Where an Athlete seeks to undermine the Doping Control process, including by providing falsified documentation to UKAD during Anti-Doping proceedings, they should be under no illusion that such behaviour will lead to a lengthy ban from sport.
“Furthermore, this case shows that UKAD will act on intelligence and investigate to enforce bans on athletes who do not respect the conditions of their original sanctions.”
Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List), which was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 22 September 2023 and enters into force on 1 January 2024.
We also publish:
The List is one of the eight International Standards that are mandatory for all Signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). It designates what substances and methods are prohibited both in- and out-of-competition and which substances are banned in particular sports.
WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said: “We encourage athletes, their entourage and all stakeholders to acquaint themselves with the Summary of Major Modifications to avoid inadvertent use of substances and methods that are prohibited in sport for 2024. In particular, we kindly ask all Anti-Doping Organizations around the world to share the List and its related documents with athletes, their entourage and other relevant stakeholders under their jurisdiction.
Major modifications for 2024
All Major Modifications for 2024 are outlined in the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, including the following particular information regarding tramadol:
On 23 September 2022, the ExCo endorsed the recommendation by WADA’s List Expert Advisory Group to prohibit the narcotic tramadol in competition, effective 1 January 2024. The delay in implementation was to provide an additional year to allow enough time for stakeholders to learn and adapt to this change.
Tramadol has been on WADA’s Monitoring Program and data gathered through that program have indicated significant use in sports. Tramadol abuse, with its risk of physical dependence, opiate use disorder and overdoses, is of concern worldwide and has led to it being a controlled drug in many countries. Research studies funded by WADA, as referenced in the Explanatory Note, have also confirmed the potential for tramadol to enhance sports performance.
Annual list review process
WADA leads an annual revision process concerning the List, beginning with an initial meeting in January and concluding with the publication of the List by 1 October. This is an extensive consultation process that includes WADA’s List Expert Advisory Group gathering information including the latest scientific and medical research, trends, and intelligence gathered from law enforcement and pharmaceutical companies; circulating a draft List among stakeholders; and, taking their submissions into consideration to revise the draft, followed by review by the Agency’s Health, Medical and Research (HMR) Committee. The HMR Committee then makes its recommendations to WADA’s ExCo, which approves the List during its September meeting.
For a substance or method to be added to the List, it must be determined that it meets at least two of the following three criteria:
- It has the potential to enhance or enhances sport performance
- It represents an actual or potential health risk to the athletes
- It violates the spirit of sport
The List is released three months ahead of it taking effect so that athletes, their entourage and other stakeholders can acquaint themselves with any modifications. Ultimately, athletes are responsible for prohibited substances found in their body and prohibited methods found to have been used. Athlete entourage are also liable for Anti-Doping Rule Violations if determined to be complicit. Consequently, if there is any doubt as to the status of a substance or method, it is important that they contact their respective Anti-Doping Organizations (International Federation or National Anti-Doping Organization) for advice.
The Therapeutic use Exemption Program
It should be noted that for athletes who have a legitimate medical reason for using a prohibited substance or method that is on the List, they can apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to determine whether they meet the criteria outlined in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE). The TUE Program is a rigorous and necessary part of elite sport which has overwhelming acceptance from athletes, physicians and anti-doping stakeholders.
Educational Resources
In addition to the documents linked above, WADA has provided, or will provide, a number of educational resources as part of its Code Implementation Support Program (CISP), which can be accessed on the Agency’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL). These resources include:
- A CISP Checklist – Implementing Revised List (available now)
- Athlete and Athlete Support Personnel (ASP) Factsheet on tramadol (to be available in November)
- Medical Professionals Factsheet on tramadol (to be available in November)
- Athlete and ASP Guide to the 2024 List (to be available in January 2024)
Languages and Formats
The 2024 Prohibited List; the 2024 Summary of Modifications and Explanatory Notes; and the 2024 Monitoring Program are available for download on WADA’s website in English and French with Spanish to follow in the coming weeks.
Stakeholders wishing to translate the List into other languages are kindly asked to signal their interest to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. WADA will then provide the necessary files and, once the translation is finalized, will make the translated List available on the Agency’s website.
The List’s mobile-friendly digital edition will go live on 1 January 2024.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing in the arbitration procedures CAS 2023/A/9451 Association Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) v. Kamila Valieva, CAS 2023/A/9455 International Skating Union (ISU) v. Kamila Valieva, Association Russian AntiDoping Agency (RUSADA), and CAS 2023/A/9456 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) v. Association Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) & Kamila Valieva) has been adjourned at the end of its third day.
The Panel of arbitrators in charge of the matter heard the parties (RUSADA, ISU, WADA and Ms Valieva), their experts and witnesses during the hearing that took place at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, this week. After the presentation of evidence by the parties, the Panel ordered the production of further documentation and, in order to allow the parties to consider and address such documentation, allowed two further days for the hearing of the appeal. The hearing will therefore resume on 9 and 10 November 2023 in Lausanne at which time the evidentiary proceedings will be completed and the Panel will hear the parties’ closing submissions. The Panel will then deliberate and prepare the Arbitral Award containing its decision.
Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launches the first phase of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code & International Standards Update Process (2027 Code & IS Update Process) for which the Agency is soliciting your feedback by 22 December 2023*.
Background
The World Anti-Doping Code (Code) is the core document that harmonizes anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organizations and among public authorities around the world. It works in conjunction with eight International Standards which aim to foster consistency among Anti-Doping Organizations in various areas.
The first Code was approved in January 2003, during the Second World Conference on Doping in Sport in Copenhagen. At that time, WADA committed to ensuring that the Code would be a living document subject to periodic review and that the process would be a collaborative and transparent exercise intended to further update and strengthen these documents to ensure their continued effectiveness for use and implementation.
In keeping with that commitment, the Code and International Standards have undergone subsequent review processes which resulted in the 2009, 2015, and 2021 Codes and International Standards.
2027 Code & IS Update Process
On 9 May 2023, WADA’s Executive Committee endorsed the approach, timetable, and drafting teams for the 2027 Code & IS Update Process, which will involve the simultaneous review and update of the Code and International Standards.
This is a two-year, multi-phase process, which is respectively summarized in the 2027 Code & IS Update Process – Timelines & Key Phases document and corresponding webinar presentation and is also outlined below:
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Circulation of drafts of proposed amendments to the Code and International Standards;
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Final versions of the Code and International Standards being presented for consideration and approval at the sixth World Conference on Doping in Sport, to be held in November 2025 in Busan, Republic of Korea; and
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Updated 2027 Code and International Standards, entering into effect on 1 January 2027.
The following key points should be noted:
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A standalone International Standard for Intelligence and Investigations will be developed and come into force, and the current International Standard for Testing and Investigations will revert to a Standard dedicated solely to testing requirements.
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The List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, which is also an International Standard, will be updated separately as part of its distinct annual stakeholder consultation process.
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The relevant documentation provided over the course of the process will be in English; however, finalized French versions of the updated 2027 Code and International Standards will be made available following their approval.
2027 Code & IS Update Drafting Team Working Groups
Nine different drafting teams – one for the Code and each International Standard – have been formally constituted as Working Groups in accordance with WADA’s Governance Regulations and will be responsible for reviewing feedback from WADA stakeholders, providing expert advice and recommendations, and drafting proposed amendments to updated versions of the Code and International Standards.
The drafting teams are composed of internal members from WADA management and external experts from various Code Signatories and stakeholder organizations that have been appointed based on their relevant experience and knowledge in anti-doping and their areas of expertise.
To submit feedback
Stakeholders are invited to provide their feedback via WADAConnect, the Agency’s online consultation platform. In order to be considered for inclusion in the first drafts of the amended Code and International Standards to be published in May 2024, stakeholders must provide their feedback by:
Feedback is being requested on certain key concepts that have been identified as requiring consideration for update and have been organized into different ‘Concept Papers’ on WADAConnect. Stakeholders may also provide feedback on areas outside of these concepts.
For more information related to WADAConnect, please refer to the user guide.
In the interest of transparency, and because this is a public consultation, WADA will publish all comments received on its website at the end of the Stakeholder Engagement Phase. Stakeholder credentials, such as username, organization, and organization type, will be posted along with the comments unless WADA is otherwise notified by email at the address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
While the drafting teams will carefully consider and review all comments, it cannot be guaranteed that they will individually address different stakeholders’ comments or that a given suggestion will be included in amended and updated versions of the Code and International Standards.
It has been 595 days since my teammates and I earned medals at the Olympics. We still have not received them.
You may remember what happened. Representing Team USA, we placed second in the Figure Skating Team Event at the 2022 Winter Olympics. We were bested only by the Russian team, with Japan finishing third and Canada fourth. On the day that we were scheduled to receive our medals, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cancelled the ceremony due to a “situation” that required a “legal consultation.” The IOC assured us that they would do their “utmost to make sure it [was] resolved as quickly as possible.”
The “situation’s” focal point was Russian skater Kamila Valieva’s positive drug test. Her urine sample, collected more than six weeks earlier but only just analyzed, contained the prohibited substance trimetazidine. The positive test would ordinarily have nullified Team Russia’s results immediately, and the awards ceremony could have proceeded as planned, with us, the Japanese team and the Canadian team receiving medals. However, the Russian Disciplinary Anti-Doping Commission (DADC), supported by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), decided that different anti-doping rules may apply to Valieva because she was only 15 years old at the time of the competition. So, for the first time in modern Olympic history, no medals were awarded.
While there are significant economic costs associated with not receiving an Olympic medal (sponsors love medals), the real harm has come from the way the “situation” has been handled by sport administrators.
In the 19 months since we took the ice in Beijing, my teammates and I have heard almost nothing from the officials handling the case, and we have no reason to believe that our interests are being adequately represented. This week, a hearing is scheduled at CAS that will pit the IOC, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) against Valieva and the Russian DADC. The idea that such a hearing will serve the interests of clean athletes is absurd - the Russian “Anti-Doping” Agency has been facilitating Russian doping for over a decade. The IOC, for its part, has repeatedly refused to hold Russia accountable for a state-sponsored doping program involving more than 1,000 athletes. WADA, which is controlled by the IOC through a governing agreement with public authorities, reinstated the Russian Anti-Doping Agency in 2018 despite the agency’s refusal to turn over data detailing the extent of Russian doping. And the “court” in next week’s hearing, CAS, which is an arm of the IOC (its president is the IOC vice-president), has repeatedly sided with Russia – first in overturning sanctions of Russian athletes and then in watering down subsequent sanctions on Russia and RUSADA. Who in this panoply of actors represents the interests of me and my teammates, and furthermore, the interests of the broader sporting community?
We asked to be allowed to observe the upcoming hearing. In response, we were told that CAS hearings are confidential – closed even to those of us directly affected by the proceedings. We were told that either of the involved parties could request a public hearing, but that neither did. For that reason, the proceedings will happen behind closed doors.
An open and transparent hearing would go a long way towards helping athletes understand any decision that is rendered. Transparency would build confidence in a global anti-doping system that has lost the trust of its most important stakeholders: athletes. In contrast, asking the parties themselves to decide whether the hearing will be public is akin to asking them whether their actions should be scrutinized by outsiders. Unsurprisingly, they chose to act with impunity and to avoid public accountability.
The situation we found ourselves in at the Beijing Games and the painful process that we have endured since are a direct result of decisions made by the IOC, WADA, and CAS. The global sport administrators allowed Russian athletes to compete in the past four Olympics, including Beijing, despite the country’s state-sponsored doping program. The program is widely known to have corrupted multiple Olympic Games and defrauded thousands of athletes. Also, the Russian government has obstructed the pursuit of justice by manipulating data, destroying laboratories, and going so far as to murder whistleblowers in order to undermine investigations. And yet, the Russian team has not been excluded from a single Olympic Games.
Valieva’s positive drug test is not an isolated incident. My teammates and I are aware of widespread doping by other Russian skaters – and this, unfortunately, should surprise no one, given that a non-compliant anti-doping organization is still tasked with ensuring the integrity of sport inside Russia. Valieva and her teammates would never have been placed in this position if the IOC, WADA, and CAS had done their jobs and banned Russia from global sport. But, because of the inaction of sport administrators, Russia has never been incentivized to reform. Athletes both inside and outside of Russia have borne the cost.
As my team’s empty medal boxes show, the global anti-doping system is failing athletes. The revered elitism of the Olympics is dependent upon the principles of clean sport and fair competition. Yet, the governing bodies that are tasked to observe and enforce these principles continuously act against their supposed missions and fail to act on behalf of the people for whom they exist to serve: the athletes. Whenever finally held, the awards ceremony for the Beijing 2022 Figure Skating Team Event will be a symbol of the gross failures of the IOC, CAS, RUSADA, and other global sporting administrators. Justice delayed is justice denied, and my teammates and I will never get back the chance to stand before the world to celebrate a lifetime's worth of hard work culminating in a career-defining achievement. We have been forever prevented from experiencing the moment that every athlete dreams of – and ultimately, the organizations assumed to protect and create such moments are instead responsible for the emptiness of our success.
On September 15, 2023 the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Lausanne, Switzerland) set aside the decision rendered by the World Triathlon on September 12, 2022 which made the athlete Riasova Valentina ineligible for a period of 6 months for the violation under art. 2.1 and art. 2.2 of the World Triathlon Anti-Doping Rules.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the appeal of RUSADA and rendered the decision which made the Athlete ineligible for a period of 2 years, namely between September 15, 2023 and March 14, 2025, with credit for the served period of ineligibility, namely between September 12, 2022 and March 11, 2023.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirms the following arrangements for the hearing in the arbitration procedures CAS 2023/A/9451 Association Russian AntiDoping Agency (RUSADA) v. Kamila Valieva, CAS 2023/A/9455 International Skating Union (ISU) v. Kamila Valieva, Association Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), and CAS 2023/A/9456 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) v. Association Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) & Kamila Valieva):
The hearing will take place on 26, 27 and 28 September 2023, with 29 September 2023 being a reserve day. It will be held at the CAS Headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, although the Panel will hear some parties, witnesses and experts via video-conference, including Ms Kamila Valieva and the representatives of RUSADA.
The parties to the proceedings: RUSADA, the ISU, WADA and Ms Valieva (collectively, the parties), want privacy and have not requested that a public hearing be held. Consequently, the hearing will take place behind closed doors in accordance with the provisions of Article 57 of the Code of Sports-related Arbitration (the “CAS Code”), and outside persons will not be authorised to attend. For that reason, on 5 September 2023, the CAS Panel denied a request filed by the 2022 United States Olympic Figure Skating Team for an observer to be permitted to attend the hearing on their behalf.
The Panel of CAS arbitrators constituted to decide the matter is composed of:
President: Mr James Drake KC, Barrister, United Kingdom & Australia
Arbitrators: Mr Jeffrey Mishkin, Attorney-at-Law, USA
Dr Mathieu Maisonneuve, Professor of law, France
The ISU and WADA nominated Mr Jeffrey Mishkin, and Ms Valieva nominated Prof. Mathieu Maisonneuve. RUSADA being involved as Appellant in one procedure and as Respondent in the other two, it decided not to participate in the nomination process. The President of the Panel was appointed by the Deputy President of the Appeals Arbitration Division in accordance with the CAS Code.
The Panel and parties have established a detailed hearing timetable. The proceedings will open on Tuesday, 26 September 2023 with a short opening submission from each party, followed by the hearing of fact witnesses. On Wednesday, 27 September 2023, the Panel will hear expert witnesses and on Thursday, 28 September 2023, the Panel will hear the parties’ closing submissions and rebuttals. Should additional time be required, the Panel and parties have reserved Friday, 29 September 2023.
Following the hearing, the Panel will deliberate and prepare the Arbitral Award containing its decision. At this juncture, it is not possible to indicate when the final decision will be announced. The CAS Panel’s decision will be final and binding, with the exception of the parties’ right to file an appeal to the Swiss Federal Tribunal within 30 days on limited procedural grounds.
The hearing concerns the appeals filed individually by RUSADA, the ISU, and WADA against the decision issued by the RUSADA Disciplinary Anti-Doping Commission (RUSADA DADC) dated 14 December 2022 (the Challenged Decision), in which the Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva (the Athlete) was found to have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) for which she bore “no fault or negligence” and was not sanctioned with the exception of the disqualification of the results achieved on the date of the sample collection (25 December 2021).
RUSADA seeks a ruling from CAS setting aside the Challenged Decision and finding the Athlete to have committed an ADRV under the RUSADA Anti-Doping Rules (RUSADA ADR), and sanctioned with “the appropriate consequences (which may include or be limited to a reprimand) in respect of such ADRV pursuant to the RUSADA ADR”.
The ISU seeks a ruling from CAS sanctioning the Athlete with a four-year period of ineligibility or, subsidiarily, a two-year period of ineligibility, starting from 25 December 2021, as well as the disqualification of all results achieved by the Athlete during this period.
WADA seeks a ruling from CAS setting aside the Challenged Decision and finding the Athlete to have committed an ADRV under art. 4.1 and/or 4.2 of the RUSADA ADR, and sanctioned with a period of ineligibility of four years, as well as the disqualification of all competitive results obtained by the Athlete from and including 25 December 2021.
Ms Valieva seeks a ruling from CAS that it lacks jurisdiction over WADA, ISU and RUSADA claims, subsidiarily that no violation of the RUSADA ADR is proven and that she be re-established in the results obtained at the 2021 Russian Figure Skating Championship. In the alternative, she seeks a ruling that she bears no fault or negligence or, more subsidiarily, that the violation of the rules was not intentional, so that the period of ineligibility shall be at most two years and that no results shall be disqualified
In accordance with Article R52(5) of the CAS Code, the three appeals were consolidated and a common timetable was established for the filing of the parties’ written submissions. The exchange of written submissions, which was lengthened by extensions of time granted with the mutual agreement of the parties, has concluded.
Ombuds calls on athletes and Anti-Doping Organizations to take note of this important new resource
On behalf of the inaugural Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds (Ombuds), Ms. Anna Thorstenson, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds website, which is pertinent for Athletes covered by the World Anti-Doping Program.
This website is a secure platform that athletes can use to contact the Ombuds, a free, neutral and confidential resource for athletes with questions or concerns about anti-doping issues. The website includes:
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a contact form to send concerns/questions directly to the Ombuds;
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detailed answers to frequently asked questions; and
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links to other useful material and platforms, such as WADA’s Speak Up platform that is a secure way to report doping or other activity that goes against anti-doping rules.
In March this year, Anna Thorstenson was announced as the inaugural Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds. A Swedish lawyer and anti-doping specialist, Ms. Thorstenson is working independently of WADA; and, is overseeing the pilot project of the Ombuds Program, which includes development and publication of the new website.
“As the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds, my role is to provide Athletes with cost-free, neutral, impartial, and fair advice and assistance with regard to their anti-doping concerns and to ensure fair application of their rights,” says Thorstenson, who has worked in the anti-doping field since 2009. “The new website is an excellent gateway for any Athlete who may have questions or legitimate concerns about their rights or the anti-doping system more generally. I would invite all athletes and Anti-Doping Organizations to please take note of this important new website and for ADOs to share it with athletes within their jurisdiction.”
WADA Athlete Council Chair and ExCo member, Ryan Pini, said: “I am happy to see that the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds website is now up and running. The Ombuds Program is so important to the athlete community. I encourage athletes around the world to feel free to contact the Ombuds, Anna Thorstenson, directly via the site with any questions that they may have concerning the anti-doping system. The Ombuds role was established to fill the gap between Athletes and Anti-Doping Organizations and to provide Athletes with safe and confidential assistance when they feel they are unable to turn to their Anti-Doping Organization directly.”
Background
In November 2021, in line with the ‘Be Athlete Centered’ priority of WADA’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) endorsed the one-year pilot project proposal for an Ombuds Program that was put forward by WADA’s Athlete Committee (now known as the Athlete Council since 1 January 2023). The Program was also supported by the Athlete community and other stakeholders as a natural follow up to the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act, developed by WADA’s Athlete Committee and published in June 2020.
The Ombuds provides athletes with cost-free, neutral, impartial, fair advice and assistance in relation to the World Anti-Doping Code and the entities that play a role within it.
The Ombuds Program has been launched in Europe but is available to athletes from around the world. The hope is to create guidelines so that Anti-Doping Organizations in other countries may setup similar programs, realizing that many athletes would choose to go local first.
You can learn more about the roles and responsibilities of the Ombuds on the Ombuds website.
On 24-25 August, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) met in a hybrid fashion, for its second regular meeting this year, to discuss a range of important issues related to WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Compliance Monitoring Program.
The CRC Chair, Mr. Henry Gourdji, who was accompanied by WADA Management in Montreal, lead discussions on the following matters:
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New cases of Signatory non-compliance with the Code and International Standards, involving both legislation and Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ) cases; which, will be presented to WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) when they meet on 22 September 2023 (if the non-conformities discussed are not resolved by then);
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The latest update on the reinstatement conditions imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in its award related to the case between WADA and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA);
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An update on current non-compliant Signatories, including the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Gabon National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) and the International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB);
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An update on the operations of Ukraine’s NADO and testing of Ukraine athletes. The Ukraine NADO has a suspended compliance case due to force majeure in relation to the ongoing Russian Federation invasion of Ukraine;
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The latest on the amendments to the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS) following stakeholder consultation;
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An update on the development and implementation of WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program, including an update on anti-doping rules and legislation review, the CCQ and WADA’s Signatory audit program;
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WADA’s progress on its Compliance Annual Plan for 2023 and risk management program.
The CRC also held two virtual in-camera sessions on 22 and 23 August to prepare, review and discuss documentation received for the meeting.
The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA’s management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with the Code.
The CRC Chair will report to WADA’s ExCo meeting on 22 September.
As part of its ongoing efforts to enhance its anti-doping and integrity initiatives, Concacaf is collaborating with FIFA to intensify its anti-doping efforts within the Confederation’s competitions.
In addition to educational programs, the frequency and volume of testing has increased in 2023 compared to previous years and can be expected to continue to grow in 2024.
2023 has already seen Concacaf implement a new program of doping controls at various major international and club tournaments, including the recently completed 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League Finals, 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup and the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup, which is currently underway. The 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League and future competitions will also include these new anti-doping provisions.
“Working hand in hand with FIFA, we continue to expand the Confederation's anti-doping program and prioritize integrity and fair play in our game,” said Concacaf Director of Competitions Carlos Fernandez.
“Our joint efforts, including education programs for players and staff and additional testing before and during tournaments, will contribute to Concacaf football's ongoing growth, professionalism, and success.” concluded Fernandez.
The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) announced today that Donovan Burgmaier, a U SPORTS football athlete affiliated with the University of Alberta, received a seven-year sanction for a second anti-doping rule violation. The athlete’s urine sample, collected out of competition on March 3, 2023, revealed the presence of dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a prohibited anabolic agent.
On August 6, 2023, the athlete signed an Early Admission and Acceptance, thereby admitting to the violation, waiving his right to a hearing, and accepting the asserted period of ineligibility and all other consequences. As a result, the otherwise applicable eight-year period of ineligibility was reduced by one year in accordance with Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP) rule 10.8.1. The seven-year sanction will begin January 26, 2028 (the end date of his current period of ineligibility) and concludes on January 25, 2035.
During the sanction period, the athlete is ineligible to participate in any capacity with any sport signatory to the CADP, including training with teammates.
In compliance with rule 8.4 of the CADP, the CCES’s file outcome summary can be found in the Canadian Sport Sanction Registry.
WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE AND QUALITATIVE FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING ON A GLOBAL SCALE TO PERSONNEL OF ANTI-DOPING ORGANISATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES AS DOPING CONTROL OFFICERS (DCOS), THE INTERNATIONAL TESTING AGENCY (ITA) RECENTLY CONDUCTED ITS FIRST ITA DCO FOUNDATION TRAINING IN ASIA. THE THREE-DAY FACE-TO-FACE TRAINING WAS CONDUCTED AT THE SHANGHAI UNIVERSITY OF SPORTS (SUS), ITA’S FIRST EVER ACADEMIC CENTRE.
Equipping DCOs for Effective Anti-Doping Operations
The ITA’s DCO Foundation Training which was held on 10-12 July at the SUS is an intensive three-day program designed to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and ethical insights needed to conduct effective anti-doping operations. The training covers a wide array of topics, including an introduction to anti-doping, DCO roles in testing procedures, sample collection techniques, athlete communication, and the legal and ethical dimensions of anti-doping efforts. Role play, the practical handling of doping control kits, interactions and discussions supported the learning process.
The main aim of the training is not only to prepare the participants for their first doping control missions as DCOs, but also to harmonise testing processes worldwide and emphasise the importance of maintaining high ethical standards throughout their work. The ITA aims to instill a deep appreciation for the significance of anti-doping endeavors, inspiring these professionals to be advocates for clean sport.
SUS: A Hub for Anti-Doping Education
Selecting the Shanghai University of Sports as the venue for the ITA DCO Foundation Training underscores the institution’s commitment to sports education and research. As a recognised ITA Academic Centre, SUS provides an ideal setting for a training program that focuses on upholding the values of sports. The collaboration with SUS also allowed the ITA to hold the training for the first time on the Asian continent, easing access for participants from Asian National and Regional Anti-Doping Organisations, sports bodies and interested individuals living on the continent.
Global Participation for Unified Action
The ITA DCO Foundation Training in Shanghai was also held with the support of the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) and saw participation from a diverse group of thirty course graduates representing various countries: China, HongKong, Chinese Taipei, South Africa, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Greece, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand and the United States.
This global participation showcases the collaborative efforts being made by the ITA to promote quality testing across the globe and uphold the principles of fair play and clean sport. As the thirty course graduates return to their respective regions and countries armed with newfound knowledge and an ITA certification, they may apply to become a DCO with their respective national anti-doping agency or any other anti-doping organisation and hopefully join the clean sport community for many years to come.
The training is delivered with the support of Berlinger Special AG, who also provides the sample collection equipment for the training.
The next ITA DCO Foundation Training will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 25-27 October, more information can be found here.
The UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal has rendered its decision in the case concerning Toon Aerts.
The Tribunal found Toon Aerts guilty of an anti-doping rule violation (presence of letrozole metabolite in a sample collected out-of-competition on 19 January 2022) and imposed a two-year period of ineligibility, starting from 16 February 2022 (the date on which he accepted a provisional suspension).
After a thorough examination of the case, including several expert reports submitted by the Belgian rider, the Tribunal considered that Toon Aerts had failed to establish how the prohibited substance entered his body and imposed the standard sanction under the UCI Anti-Doping Rules (ADR) and the World Anti-Doping Code for the presence of letrozole.
The Tribunal also cancelled Toon Aerts’ race results obtained from 19 January 2022 (date of the sample collection) until 5 February 2022 pursuant to the UCI ADR and the Code.
In accordance with the Procedural Rules of the Tribunal, the decision will be published on the UCI website in due time.
The decision may be appealed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within one month.
The UCI will not comment further on the matter.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has confirmed that Rugby League player Ryan Snowden has been banned from all sport for a period of three years, following first Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Use and Presence of Prohibited Substances in his urine Sample.
On 13 December 2022, UKAD collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Mr Snowden at a Batley Bulldogs RLFC squad test. Analysis of Mr Snowden’s urine Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for ostarine (enobosarm) and clenbuterol.
Ostarine and clenbuterol are listed under section 1.2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List as Anabolic Agents. They are non-Specified Substances that are prohibited at all times.
On 10 February 2023, UKAD notified Mr Snowden that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample) and 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method) of the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), and provisionally suspended him from that date.
Mr Snowden responded to UKAD’s Notice letter on 16 March 2023 admitting the ADRVs, explaining that he had taken a supplement that contained the Prohibited Substances.
UKAD charged Mr Snowden with both ADRVs on 05 April 2023, which Mr Snowden promptly accepted.
In accordance with ADR Article 10.8.1, Mr Snowden was able to reduce the four-year asserted period of Ineligibility to three years, after admitting the violations and accepting the asserted period of Ineligibility within twenty days of the Charge Letter.
Mr Snowden’s three-year ban from all WADA Code-compliant sport commenced on 10 February 2023 and will expire at midnight on 09 February 2026.
Speaking on the case, Hamish Coffey, UKAD’s Director of Operations said: “There is no place for anabolic steroids in sport and there are serious consequences for athletes caught taking them.
It is important that all athletes follow the Anti-Doping Rules and understand the risks associated with using supplements.”
The Rugby Football League added: “We support UKAD in their determination to ensure that sport is clean, and therefore in their testing programme in and out of competition, of part-time as well as full-time players. This is another example of how strict liability places responsibility on all athletes in these matters, and the serious repercussions of a positive test.”
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has confirmed that Rugby League player Ryan Snowden has been banned from all sport for a period of three years, following first Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) for the Use and Presence of Prohibited Substances in his urine Sample.
On 13 December 2022, UKAD collected an Out-of-Competition urine Sample from Mr Snowden at a Batley Bulldogs RLFC squad test. Analysis of Mr Snowden’s urine Sample returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for ostarine (enobosarm) and clenbuterol.
Ostarine and clenbuterol are listed under section 1.2 of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) 2022 Prohibited List as Anabolic Agents. They are non-Specified Substances that are prohibited at all times.
On 10 February 2023, UKAD notified Mr Snowden that he may have committed ADRVs pursuant to Article 2.1 (Presence of a Prohibited Substance or its Metabolites or Markers in an Athlete’s Sample) and 2.2 (Use or Attempted Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method) of the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), and provisionally suspended him from that date.
Mr Snowden responded to UKAD’s Notice letter on 16 March 2023 admitting the ADRVs, explaining that he had taken a supplement that contained the Prohibited Substances.
UKAD charged Mr Snowden with both ADRVs on 05 April 2023, which Mr Snowden promptly accepted.
In accordance with ADR Article 10.8.1, Mr Snowden was able to reduce the four-year asserted period of Ineligibility to three years, after admitting the violations and accepting the asserted period of Ineligibility within twenty days of the Charge Letter.
Mr Snowden’s three-year ban from all WADA Code-complaint sport commenced on 10 February 2023 and will expire at midnight on 09 February 2026.
Speaking on the case, Hamish Coffey, UKAD’s Director of Operations said: “There is no place for anabolic steroids in sport and there are serious consequences for athletes caught taking them.
It is important that all athletes follow the Anti-Doping Rules and understand the risks associated with using supplements.”
