David Howman: Russian Doping a 'Huge Challenge' for WADA

(ATR) World Anti-Doping Agency director general David Howman tells Around the Rings that the Russian doping scandal that continues to escalate may be the biggest challenge the agency has ever faced.

"We’re going through a big challenge now, a huge challenge," he told ATR on the sidelines of the WADA Foundation Board meeting in Montreal on May 12. "That’s certainly one of the [greatest challenges]."

"There was so much stuff in that [New York Times] article that has come from the previous director of the laboratory that is shocking, concerning, disturbing - you name it. We will have to follow up to have a look at all of this and see what must be done quickly, we cannot wait."

Howman was referring to an article in the NY Times where former RUSADA laboratory director Grigory Rodchenkov claimed to have facilitated a massive doping program for Russian athletes during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. The article was published the same day WADA held its semi-annual Foundation Board meeting.

The Russian doping scandal engulfed the sporting world when a German documentary exposed doping cover-ups within the Russian athletics federation in September 2015. The documentary led to an investigation by WADA and the publication of an Independent Commission report by Richard Pound that supported the allegations presented in the documentary.

The latest claims by Rodchenkov only exacerbate the challenges for Russian sports federations to right the ship and earn the trust of the IOC, WADA and athletes across the world still outraged by the revelations. Howman wishes that Rodchenkov had told the IC investigation about the Sochi 2014 doping program but understands his decision at the time.

"It’s a pity that Rodchenkov didn’t talk to the commission when he had the chance but I don’t criticize him for that," Howman says. "I think he had to find himself in a space where he had freedom and safety, and now he’s got that."

As Howman prepares to leave WADA this June after 13 years in the agency, he says getting accustomed to the 24-hour news cycle where stories like the Russian doping scandals can break at any time has been one of his greatest challenges.

"Living in Montreal and everyday you wake up, half the world has been awake for a while and the issues arise, so you have to deal with a reactive approach to those issues," he tells ATR. "That’s a huge challenge in terms of your mindset."

Howman joined WADA when the agency was three-years-young and moved its headquarters from Lausanne, Switzerland to Montreal. Starting as chief operating officer, Howman was promoted to director general within five months and retained the position throughout his tenure. He says the progress the organization has made towards protecting clean athletes in less than 20 years is outstanding.

"When I arrived in 2003 we had enough money to keep the lights going for six weeks," he quipped. "Now we get close to 100 percent of the contributions. We didn’t have most of the world covered by anti-doping so we developed the RADO approach where countries join together. All those things have meant a significant change."

At the end of the Foundation Board meeting, WADA played a 10-minute video tribute for Howman commemorating his 13 years of service. Hearing the praise of all of his colleagues at WADA and his family brought a smile to his face and even a few tears.

"That was very moving," he says. "It’s really nice that your team respects the work you’ve done with them. It’s also a bit emotional when you have your grandchildren on."

Howman now leaves the post to his long-time colleague Olivier Niggli.

"My success will be up to my successor," he says. "I totally believe he will deliver that success. I have utmost respect for him and his ability to deal with the issues that we deal with."

"That’s one of my driving wishes when you’re doing something like this is to make sure that everyone who works for you could perhaps be you or could at least when they leave your employment get a better job. I’ve promoted that and I think you can see the results, which is quite nice."

Although he is moving on from WADA, Howman plans to remain involved in the international sporting community.

"I’m not retiring," he emphasized. "My mandate here finishes and I’ll go back to being an independent barrister and advocate for sport in New Zealand that I was before I came here."

Howman will continue to support athletes and work to protect the integrity of sport. As for the Rio 2016 Olympics this August, Howman says he will observe from a distance.

"I will be sitting down in New Zealand and turning on the tele."

Written by Kevin Nutley

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