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Independent Observer and Outreach programs for Asian Games

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English

Press Release

10th August 2018

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to outline its planned Independent Observer (IO) and Athlete Outreach (AO) programs during the 18th Asian Games in the Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang, which will run from 18 August to 2 September 2018. 

The IO and AO teams will be present throughout the Games and, respectively, will provide real-time expert advice to organizers on all matters relating to the doping control program in place; and, will give athletes the opportunity to learn more about anti-doping and how the system works to protect clean sport.

WADA President Sir Craig Reedie said: “The Asian Games is a very important event on the sporting calendar with 11,500 athletes competing from 45 Asian nations in no fewer than 67 disciplines within 40 sports. From WADA’s perspective, it is important that we have a strong presence there. Our experienced team of observers will examine every aspect of the anti-doping program in place for Jakarta Palembang 2018.

“WADA’s outreach program for athletes is also very important as we continue to raise awareness and educate the world’s elite athletes and their entourage when it comes to their rights and responsibilities around anti-doping. Everything we do is about protecting the ambitions of clean athletes and our dynamic AO team will provide a welcome opportunity for all competitors to engage with anti-doping in an informal and fun environment.”

WADA’s IO team, which is composed of international experts in anti-doping, is intended to instill confidence in both athletes and the public as to the quality, effectiveness, and reliability of anti-doping programs from major events organized around the world.

The team will observe all aspects of the anti-doping programs, including:

  • Test distribution planning
  • Selection of competitors for testing
  • Notification of doping control
  • Therapeutic use exemption procedures
  • Chain of custody
  • Results management

The team will provide daily feedback to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) as well as the Jakarta Palembang 2018 Organizing Committee. The team will then issue a post-event report that will include a series of observations and recommendations designed to enhance anti-doping activities at future Asian Games.

WADA’s AO program, which is also staffed by anti-doping experts from around the world, will be visible and active in the athletes’ village during the Games. These programs will build awareness among athletes, support personnel and others as to the dangers and consequences of doping and as it relates to athletes’ rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code.

Visitors will be encouraged to complete the Play True Quiz, which is now available in 39 languages, to sign the Clean Sport Pledge and to share their experience on social media using the hashtag #PlayTrue.

The full teams are listed below.

The IO Team

  • Jeremy Luke (Chair), Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport
  • Karine Henrie (Vice-Chair), WADA
  • Ying Cui (Team Manager), WADA
  • Thomas Delaye-Fortin, Badminton World Federation
  • Nishel Kumar, Anti-Doping Agency of Malaysia
  • Ben Sandford, WADA Athlete Committee
  • Say Po Yeo, Anti-Doping Singapore

The AO Team

  • Stacy Spletzer (Team Manager), WADA
  • Kangeun Lee (Assistant Team Manager), WADA
  • Saparmammet Durdyyev, National Anti-Doping Agency of Turkmenistan
  • Nima Gyeltshen, Bhutan Anti-Doping Committee
  • Lama Mahafzah, West Asia Regional Anti-Doping Organization 
  • Fatimah Metali, Brunei Darussalam Anti-Doping Committee
  • Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ly, Vietnam Anti-Doping and Sports Medicine Agency
  • Yuko Otaki, WADA
  • Atus Thongdee, Doping Control Agency of Thailand
  • Tsend-Ayush Tsooj, Mongolian National Anti-Doping Organization 
  • Shuheng Wang, International Wushu Federation

Friday, 10 August 2018