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The International Testing Agency (ITA) is pleased to announce the publishing of the the NOC Clean Sport Education Guide: A resource for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.  

This resource, designed by the ITA in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and with support from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), is free and available to all National Olympic Committees (NOCs). The purpose of the guide is to support you to fulfil your responsibility, in cooperation with your National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), to ensure athletes and Athlete Support Personnel are educated prior to a Major Event.

This resource is part of a wider pre-Games education program conducted by the ITA on behalf of the IOC. A survey of NOCs is currently underway to identify gaps in clean sport education such as lack of capacity and resources. NOCs that request support for education planning and/or delivery through the survey will be contacted with the offer of additional assistance. If you have not yet completed the survey, please do here as soon as possible.

The ITA is an independent international organisation that manages comprehensive and independent anti-doping programmes. It leads its activities in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code without any real or perceived conflict of interest following its main objective to protect the integrity of sport and athletes all over the world. The IOC has delegated its entire anti-doping programme to the ITA in 2018.

ITA Monthly Webinar (January 2024)

All athletes and their support personnel are invited to join ITA, the protection of clean sport with ITA Education Ambassadors and former professional athletes, @schellingf, OLY and Anita Hartung are discussed.

☑️ Registration is free and open now. registration

Florence and Anita will share their experiences of clean sport and provide their perspectives from both during and after their athletic careers.

Through the lens of athlete rights and responsibilities we will take a look at some fundamental clean sport topics including understanding what happens during the testing process, knowing what substances are prohibited in sport and provide an overview of the anti-doping rules. At each step we will direct you to additional resources to help you practically navigate each of these topics.

WADA´s 2024 Prohibited List now in force (January 1, 2024)

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) wishes to remind stakeholders that the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List) and the 2024 Monitoring Program enter into force today (1 January 2024). The 2024 List was approved by WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) during its meeting on 22 September 2023 and was first published on 28 September 2023.

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 (EAG) to prohibit the narcotic tramadol in competition, effective 1 January 2024. The delay in implementation was to ensure stakeholders had enough time to learn and adapt to this change, especially as it pertained to the education of athletes, their entourage, and medical personnel.

ITA monthly webinar December (December 12, 2023)

December monthly webinar is dedicated to “Clean Sport for Youth Athletes”.

With the start of a new year just weeks away, we will discuss key aspects of anti-doping, so as a future young athlete who aspires to be an Olympian you know what to expect with regards to anti-doping and are prepared, so you can focus on being the best you can be!

Topic: Clean Sport for Youth Athletes

Registration link: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Twk1s5COT0m-ubFeTnHVDw

Event date: Tuesday 12 December, 14:00 – 15:00 CET

Panellists:

• Marc Mundell OLY, ITA Education Ambassador
• Randolph Oduber, ITA Education Ambassador
• Clare Egan OLY, WADA Athlete Council Member

Moderator: Dilhan Karaç, ITA Education Team

ITA monthly webinar November (November 29, 2023)

November monthly webinar is dedicated to “What you need to know for 2024”.  

The 2024 Prohibited List, which documents all substances and methods prohibited in sport, has recently been published and its changes will come into force on 1 January 2024. Mark Stuart, a sports pharmacist, and ITA Operations Development Senior Manager will be explaining the key changes athletes and Athlete Support Personnel must be aware of.

Topic: What you need to know for 2024

Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yAkl3pTuRTyvJihw1m9lCA

Event date: Wednesday 29 November, 14:00 – 15:00 CET

Panellists:

• David Healy, WADA Senior Manager, Medical, Science and Medicine
• Mark Stuart, ITA Operations Development Senior Manager

Moderator: Mairi Irvine, ITA Education Team

WADA highlights key achievements in 2022 Annual Report (November 24, 2023)

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to publish its 2022 Annual Report, which was approved by WADA’s Foundation Board on 17 November 2023.

The Report is an opportunity to thank all our partners in clean sport for their collaboration, and to highlight the ways in which we are Delivering Impact Together.

This year’s Report is structured around our Strategic Priorities to showcase the ways in which our activities are informed by, and advancing, our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan. Also, with an eye towards making content more accessible and engaging, we are publishing it in a dynamic digital fashion.

The Report, which includes the Agency’s audited financial statements, is an important element of WADA’s ongoing commitment to accountability and transparency.

You can read the Report here.

WADA publishes updates to documents relating to the narcotic tramadol that is on the 2024 Prohibited List (November 23, 2023)

On 28 September 2023, WADA published the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (Prohibited 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. That same day, WADA also published the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes as compared to the 2023 Prohibited List.

This washout period is established at 24 hours, based on the therapeutic use of tramadol. The washout period refers to the time from the last administered dose to the time of the start of the In-Competition period (i.e., beginning at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a Competition in which the Athlete is scheduled to participate, unless a different period was approved by WADA for a given sport).

The updated version of the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes can be found here.

                    A Technical Letter dealing with the Minimum Reporting Level (MRL) for Tramadol

In addition, on 16 November 2023, the ExCo approved a Technical Letter dealing with the Minimum Reporting Level (MRL) for tramadol (TL25 tramadol).

The updated version of the TL25 Tramadol can be found here.

TL25 Tramadol contains instructions on the analysis and reporting of tramadol findings in urine samples, including the establishment of a MRL applicable to the tramadol free parent compound, which is the relevant target analyte to be monitored and confirmed in urine samples by WADA-accredited Laboratories.

Under the International Standard for Laboratories, WADA’s TLs provide specific direction to WADA-accredited Laboratories, WADA-Approved Laboratories for the Athlete Biological Passport, and other stakeholders on particular issues regarding the analysis, interpretation and reporting of results for specific prohibited substance(s) and/or prohibited method(s) or on the application of specific laboratory procedures.

All WADA-accredited Laboratories are required to implement the TL25 Tramadol as of 1 January 2024.

Should you have any questions regarding the above TL, we invite you to contact WADA’s Science Department at: [email protected].

                                                  Tramadol-related Factsheets

WADA would also like to draw attention to the addition of the following 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): 

• Tramadol factsheet for medical professionals (multiple languages); and 
• Tramadol factsheet for athletes and athlete support personnel (multiple languages). 

WADA invites Athletes and other Stakeholders to complete 2024 Annual Perception Survey (November 23, 2023)

By gaining a deeper understanding of your perceptions of how WADA is performing in leading the collaborative worldwide mission for doping-free sport, we will be better positioned to ensure that our actions prioritize the interests of our athletes and all our stakeholders.

Click on the survey link for Athletes
Click on the survey link for all other Stakeholders

WADA refers compliance case against the Russian Anti-Doping Agency to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (November 21, 2023)

Further to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA's) Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting of 22 September 2023, WADA wishes to provide an update regarding the ExCo’s decision to endorse the recommendation of WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) and allege the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). The alleged non-compliance in this case is a result of Russia’s federal sports legislation not being in line with the 2021 Code.

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 WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, as well as the consequences and/or the reinstatement conditions proposed by the Agency.

On 13 October 2023, WADA received formal notification from RUSADA that it disputed the allegation of non-compliance against it, as well as the proposed consequences and reinstatement conditions. Accordingly, and in line with Article 24.1.7 of the Code, WADA now publicly announces that it filed a request for arbitration with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 16 November 2023. As set out in Article 24.1.7, certain Signatories have the right to intervene in the CAS proceedings as a party whereas other persons may apply and be permitted to intervene under certain conditions. As per the same article, the notice of intervention or the application to intervene must be filed within 10 days of the publication of this notice.

The allegation of non-compliance and the consequences will not take effect until such time as CAS makes its ruling. Further details regarding the case including, in particular, the consequences and reinstatement conditions can be found here.

WADA refers compliance case against the South African NADO to Court of Arbitration for Sport (November 21, 2023)

Further to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA's) Executive Committee (ExCo) meeting of 22 September 2023, WADA wishes to provide an update regarding the ExCo’s decision to endorse the recommendation of WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) and allege the National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) of South Africa as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). The alleged non-compliance in this case is a result of South Africa’s legislation not being in line with the 2021 Code.

Under Article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), the NADO had 21 days following the date of receipt of the formal notice of non-compliance to dispute WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, as well as the consequences and/or the reinstatement conditions proposed by the Agency.

On 10 October, WADA received formal notification from the South African NADO that it disputed the allegation of non-compliance against it, as well as the proposed consequences. Accordingly, and in line with Article 24.1.7 of the Code, WADA now publicly announces that it filed the request for arbitration with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 16 November 2023. As set out in Article 24.1.7, certain Signatories have the right to intervene in the CAS proceedings as a party whereas other persons may apply and be permitted to intervene under certain conditions. As per the same article, the notice of intervention or the application to intervene must be filed within 10 days of the publication of this notice.

The allegation of non-compliance and the consequences will not take effect until such time as CAS makes its ruling. Further details regarding the case including, in particular, the consequences and reinstatement conditions can be found in WADA’s update of 28 September 2023.

WADA launches ‘Natural is Enough’ social media campaign (Co-funded by the European Union, the campaign raises awareness of the use of anabolic steroids) (November 20, 2023)

WADA launches new e-learning course for athletes and coaches aiming to attend the Olympic Games Paris 2024 (October 3, 2023)

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new education course for athletes and coaches aiming to attend the Olympic Games Paris 2024, on its Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL). ‘ADEL for Paris 2024 Olympic Games,’ which was developed by WADA in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Testing Agency (ITA), is available in English and French and will soon be available in Spanish.

Similar to the pre-Games education courses previously made available for the Olympic Games in Tokyo (2020) and Beijing (2022), athletes and coaches taking this latest course will gain an understanding of the Paris 2024 anti-doping rules, procedures, and requirements – including information regarding the 2024 Prohibited List, how to check medications and apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), how to provide whereabouts information, and explanations of the athletes’ rights and responsibilities during the testing process.

The course will also allow athletes and coaches to identify key information, such as important dates that they need to be aware of, as well as what the doping control process will look like during the Games and how organizations other than their National Anti-Doping Organization and/or International Federation will be involved.

Published on 25 November 2023 (last update on 29 April 2024)