The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken into consideration the demand for a strong, independent anti-doping testing and sanctioning system and proposed a 12-principle to improve the already existing methods. The IOC came under a lot of criticism after multiple reports emerged of state-sponsored doping and internal cover-ups.
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In particular, after the publication of the interim report of Prof. McLaren in July 2016, a broad public debate started about the future of the WADA Anti-Doping System. The IOC Executive Board on Thursday emphasised the Olympic Movement perspective of a more robust anti-doping system and proposed the following principles:
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The World Anti-Doping Agency must be equally independent from both sports organisations and from national interests. This is necessary because even the perception of a conflict of interests can be considered damaging to the credibility of the anti-doping system. With regard to national interests, this is particularly important because of the recent challenges to the system from certain National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs), from disputes between different NADOs, and from appeals by International Federations (IF) against decisions of National Anti-Doping Institutions.
Since the sports organisations and the governments are both founding stakeholders on an equal basis, they must be represented equally on the WADA Foundation Board and Executive Committee. The role of athletes on the Foundation Board and Executive Committee must be strengthened. The representation of athletes must be by elected (not appointed as now) athlete representatives. The WADA boards should also include independent members.
WADA to have a neutral President and Vice-President who have no function in any government or governmental organisation or in any sports organisation. The candidates to be agreed upon by both founding stakeholders, i.e. the governments and the sports organisations, including the elected representatives of athletes. This was already proposed by the Olympic Movement in October 2016.
The role of WADA to be strengthened and clarified to be the sole international body responsible for anti-doping research and prevention.
The IOC supports WADA’s intention to have a compliance policy which drives towards Code compliance of all signatories of the World Anti-Doping Code. This would ensure a level playing field for all the athletes of the world.
An Independent Testing Authority (ITA) to be created.
The ITA to develop with each respective International Federation an International Test Distribution Plan (ITDP) not only by sport but by discipline. This ITDP to contain a minimum number of tests for every athlete wanting to participate in the World Championships or in the Olympic Games. This number to be transparent for each athlete in a discipline of a sport. Athletes not having the established minimum testing level not to be eligible for World Championships and Olympic Games.
The NADOs to execute these international tests on request by the ITA.
The NADOs to continue and, where appropriate, to strengthen all their other testing activities and WADA to ensure that NADOs’ Test Distribution Plans are implemented independently from national interests.
The ITA board to be restricted to a supervisory role only. The ITA board to have no power to direct or instruct the management of the anti-doping programme.
The ITA board to include representatives from public authorities, the Olympic Movement and WADA as well as elected athlete representatives.
Sanctioning with regard to individuals (athletes, officials, coaches, doctors, etc.) following a case established by the ITA, or sanctioning of a Code signatory (sports organisations, event organisers, NADOs and laboratories) following a declaration of non-compliance by WADA, both to be determined by the independent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), following the democratic principle of the 'separation of powers'.
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