WADA Weighs in on X Games

(ATR) WADA is joining IOC President Thomas Bach in expressing concern over the "absence of quality anti-doping testing program" at X Games Oslo this week and says it sends "the wrong message to athletes."

"Whilst the X Games is an independent, privately-run event, it is still surprising and regrettable to learn that there will be no anti-doping testing program in place for athletes during the Games," said WADA Director General, David Howman. "This sends the wrong message to athletes at a fragile time for clean sport worldwide."

In Lillehammer on Sunday, Bach seemed surprised to have been informed there would be no formal drug testing at X Games Oslo, which starts Wednesday.

"You know the clear position of the IOC with regard to the protection of the clean athletes," he said, vowing to discuss the matter with WADA.

Anti-Doping Norway also took a stand on the matter.

"WADA would like to echo the sentiments expressed by Anti-Doping Norway, who are a very committed partner in the protection of clean athletes, and who, as the national anti-doping agency for Norway, are also deeply disappointed by the situation," Howman said. "Norway is a signatory to the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport and, as an event that receives public authority funding, we would expect the X Games to adopt a quality anti-doping program so that the athletes, and indeed the public, can have confidence in the competition."

WADA said it was aware that discussions "between the organizers have been ongoing, but that agreement has not been reached to run an in-competition testing program for the five-day event," which starts Wednesday.

However, an ESPN spokesman told Around the Rings on Sunday that drug testing has never been an official part of the X Games. ESPN founded the made-for-TV event.

The X Games and the similar Winter Dew Tour are not FIS-sanctioned, which means they count as out-of-competition.

The ESPN spokesperson told ATR, "Since the beginning of this project, and in accordance with the agreement that is in place for X Games Oslo, we have consistently communicated that X Games is an independent event, with its own guidelines for competition and athlete participation. At X Games Oslo, the federations can operate as they have for 20 years at X Games events around the world, and we are happy to provide accreditation and space for them to perform their normal ‘out of competition’ testing procedures. However, we are not prepared to change the X Games guidelines for participation at this time."

The spokesperson added, "As proponents of fair play, and as we do with all aspects of the X Games, we regularly evaluate our processes and policies. If at any time we believe there is an issue, we will address it and make necessary adjustments."

Written by Karen Rosen

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