WADA: Six Countries Non-Compliant, "Integrity of Sport under Threat"

(ATR)The WADA Foundation Board declared Russia, Andorra, Israel, Argentina, Bolivia and Ukraine non-compliant at its meeting in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Nov. 18.

The board had been expected to discuss the compliance of Russia’s Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), but the decision on the other five National Anti-Doping Agencies came ahead of the Russia verdict to the surprise of many.

Andorra and Israel were declared non-compliant due to insufficient anti-doping rules. Argentina, Bolivia and Ukraine are non-compliant due to the use of non-accredited laboratories for blood and urine sample analysis. WADA approved the recommendation of the Independent Commission report that RUSADA also be declared non-compliant.

According to WADA, the meeting signaled a "defining moment" in anti-doping efforts, "strengthening anti-doping worldwide".

"Our priority is now on ensuring all our partners are fully compliant and have watertight anti-doping systems that protect clean athletes and reassure sports fans worldwide," said WADA president Craig Reedie.

An additional six countries were put on a compliance "watch list". Belgium, Brazil, France, Greece, Mexico and Spain will have to meet certain conditions by Mar. 18, 2016 in order to maintain compliance with the WADA Code.

"If the conditions are not met, the independent Compliance Review Committee will recommend that these signatories should be declared non-compliant," a WADA spokesperson tells Around The Rings.

Reedie added that WADA will "not rush this process of compliance".

"Make no mistake, we will do it right – the integrity of sport is under threat."

Reedie: "Investigations Theme of the Day"

The Foundation Board agreed to strengthen its internal investigations capabilities as a direct result of the success of the IC report exposing alleged cover-ups of positive doping tests by Russian track and field athletes.

WADA Athlete Committee chair Beckie Scott requested that the IC expand its investigation into other sports in Russia. Reedie said WADA would conduct "necessary meetings with Russian authorities" and then determine whether to expand the IC’s mandate.

However, Reedie noted that in order to increase WADA’s investigative powers, more funding is required.

"The theme of the day has clearly been investigations. I will now write to all public authority stakeholders and ask them to make further contributions specifically to fund anti-doping investigations," said Reedie.

He added he would ask the IOC to match any commitments received from authorities and governments.

The Foundation Board also requested improvements to WADA’s whistleblowing process to offer greater protection to anonymous sources. The valuable information provided could be used to drive further investigations to root out corruption from sport.

"Whistleblowers are the unsung heroes in all of this. We are long beyond the 'he said, she said days’," said IC leader Richard Pound.

Working Group to Study Independent Testing Proposal

WADA will create a group to study the feasibility of the independent testing proposal raised by IOC members at the Olympic Summit in Lausanne.

The group will be tasked with analyzing the practical and technical issues associated with WADA taking over all anti-doping controls. It would report on the feasibility of the proposal at the next Foundation Board meeting in May 2016.

WADA will also see changes to its leadership next summer as Olivier Niggli will take over as the director general, replacing David Howman.

Written by KevinNutley

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