Message from the President and Director General
Dear Colleagues,
Our Annual Report is an opportunity to provide you—our partners in clean sport—a high-level overview of the impact we are delivering together, recognizing your ongoing support and dedication as we unite toward a world of doping-free sport.
The report is structured around our Strategic Priorities, featured in bold, to showcase the ways in which our activities are informed by, and advancing, our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan.
Over the course of 2023, WADA:
- Further strengthened its ability to lead through completing its governance reforms and securing private funding to increase the future capacity for ADAMS development by 25%;
- Continued to grow impact by enhancing capacity and capability building and knowledge sharing between Anti-Doping Organizations and enabling local program delivery;
- Remained actively involved in its commitment to be athlete centered; and
- Facilitated meaningful engagement with and amongst all clean sport partners to fulfil its efforts to collaborate and unite.
2023 saw the full implementation of the governance reforms initiated in 2021, leading to enhanced representation for athletes and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) within WADA. This was achieved through the Athlete Council, which promotes the voices of athletes on anti-doping matters and serves as the avenue for athletes to assume positions on WADA’s Foundation Board, Executive Committee, and other Committees. It was also achieved through the NADO Expert Advisory Group, which brings the views of NADOs forward to WADA's governing bodies, reviews anti-doping matters impacting NADOs, and provides relevant guidance and recommendations to WADA to enhance collaboration with and development of NADOs globally.
2023 was also a busy year for our Athlete Engagement and Independent Observer (IO) programs. For the first time ever, all of our Athlete Engagement teams were athlete-led, and they were present at four sport events held in three different regions of the world. Three of those four sport events also had IO teams in place.
In March, we brought the anti-doping community together for our Annual Symposium in Lausanne, Switzerland. Once again hosted in a hybrid fashion, the Symposium was a valuable opportunity for information sharing, solidarity, and partnership, all of which are key to delivering on our mission to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport.
We were also pleased to stage our fifth International Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Symposium in Incheon, South Korea in May/June, bringing together more than 250 participants. Medical and anti-doping experts, as well as TUE managers and administrators from around the world convened to discuss the challenges of harmonization of TUEs in a diverse world and to improve understanding of the complex processes that are in place to ensure fairness for all athletes.
2023 also saw achievements in many other important areas, including:
- Advancing anti-doping science and implementing strategic testing and technology;
- Progressing on development of evidence-based prevention strategies;
- Strengthening World Anti-Doping Code compliance monitoring of Signatories; and
- Expanding and reinforcing intelligence and investigations capacity of the global anti-doping system.
As WADA and the anti-doping community continue to evolve, we remain committed to engaging and empowering athletes and building anti-doping capacity as we are, together with our clean sport partners, united toward a world of doping-free sport.
We thank you all for your commitment to clean sport.
Witold Bańka Olivier Niggli
President Director General
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Foundation Board
WADA’s Foundation Board (Board) is our highest decision-making body, with an equal number of representatives from the Olympic Movement (OM) and Public Authorities (PAs). In 2023, in line with WADA’s 2022 governance reforms, the composition of the Board increased by four, to 42 members, including two representatives of athletes, as chosen by and from the Athlete Council (AC), including an athlete coming from Paralympic Sport, and two representatives of National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), as chosen by and from the WADA NADO Expert Advisory Group (EAG). The composition of the 2023 Board was as follows:
- the WADA President and the WADA Vice-President;
- 20 representatives of the OM, including four athletes’ representatives nominated by the OM and a further two representatives of the AC, and
- 20 representatives of the PAs, including two representatives of NADOs, as chosen by the NADO EAG.
- Members are appointed by their respective constituency groups (e.g., International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, Association of National Olympic Committees, Governments by regions, etc.).
Approximately one-third of the Board was made up of active or former international-level athletes.
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Executive Committee
The day-to-day running of WADA, including the performance of activities and the administration of assets, is overseen by the Executive Committee (ExCo), as delegated by the Board. The ExCo is responsible for taking all decisions that are not reserved by the WADA Statutes to the Board. In 2023, in line with WADA’s 2022 governance reforms, the composition of the ExCo increased by two, to 16 members, including an additional Independent Member and the AC Chair, as elected by the AC. The composition of the 2023 ExCo was as follows:
- five Independent Members, namely, the WADA President (acting as Chair), the WADA Vice-President (acting as Vice-Chair) and three members who are proposed by the OM and the PAs and vetted by WADA’s Nominations Committee;
- five representatives of the OM, one of which is an athlete;
- five representatives of the PAs; and
- the AC Chair.
Approximately one-third of the ExCo was made up of former international-level athletes.
Other WADA Governance Bodies
In addition to the two decision-making bodies mentioned above, WADA’s Governance Structure also includes four other types of bodies: Permanent Special Committees, Standing Committees, Expert Advisory Groups, and Working Groups.
More information is available about each of these governance bodies on our website.
With the understanding that regional and gender diversity of our governance bodies is particularly important to our stakeholders, as indicated in 2022 by the Working Group on the Review of WADA Governance Reforms (Working Group) in its final report, we have begun collecting the corresponding data and are sharing it below to provide stakeholders with a greater sense of the overall composition of WADA’s governance bodies. This aligns with the recommendation from the Working Group that an analysis should be conducted regularly to ensure that an accurate picture of diversity across all WADA bodies is always available. The following data is aggregated from the abovementioned Committees and Groups as well as the ExCo and Board, as of 31 December 2023.
Management Team
The ExCo delegates the management of the Agency to the Director General, Olivier Niggli, who leads the Management Team. The Organizational Structure is available here.
WADA Overall Staff
Finally, we cannot fail to acknowledge the WADA Staff in its entirety.
At the end of 2023, WADA employed 187 people of 52 nationalities to carry out its day-to-day operations from its headquarters in Montreal, four regional offices in Cape Town, Lausanne, Montevideo, and Tokyo, as well as at the office of the President in Warsaw. Together the team collaborates with our global partners to protect clean sport and uphold the values of fair play.
We are committed to cultivating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our workplace and are pleased to share our gender and regional diversity data for our overall Staff, as of 31 December 2023.
The Year in Numbers
For a third year, WADA has conducted a series of perception surveys and internal analysis to measure Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) under the strategic priorities of the 2020-2024 Strategic Plan. As the perception surveys are administered at the beginning of each year, the data from 2024, particularly when compared to that of 2023, provides insight on progress made over the course of 2023, making it ideal to reflect WADA’s KPI data for 2023 at a glance.
Click on the strategic priorities below to see the data and insights.
Perception of WADA
WADA Compliance Monitoring Program: Comparison of Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ) results (2017-2023)*
*Tier 1-3 Anti-Doping Organizations
Anti-Doping personnel capability impact
- 160 practitioners from 96 Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) have undertaken trainings in line with the Professional Standards for specific roles.
- 87% trained ADO practitioners are confident to apply what they have learnt.
Distribution by type of organization
2024; %; n=96
Athlete Engagement and satisfaction
85% of athletes believe WADA cares about their welfare (n=1,639)
Athlete perception towards WADA’s ability to be athlete-centric
Athlete perception around doping
87% of athletes trust the system enables clean competition and fair play (n=1,639)
Athlete and athlete support personnel education impact
WADA’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL) saw an increase of 127% for additional completed courses. Growth is due to several courses and content becoming available in additional languages, including:
- Arabic
- Bahasa Indonesian
- Traditional Chinese
- Italian
- Japanese
69% of athletes feel confident they can apply what they have learnt.
Diversity and representation in governance
Since the 2022 governance reforms, the level of diversity and representation of WADA’s two decision-making bodies has increased:
Lead
WADA is leading the collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport by remaining at the forefront of science and medicine, innovative testing and technology, governance, and education amongst other things. To guide the world toward a place where all athletes can participate in a doping-free sporting environment, WADA has also begun securing private funding to complement the annual budgetary contributions received from the Sport Movement and Governments of the world.
Cutting edge Science and Medicine
WADA continues to strengthen the development of anti-doping science and medicine to ensure effective implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and its related International Standards.
Innovative scientific research helps address emerging challenges and identify new trends in doping, including new drugs, new delivery mechanisms, and new methods of detection. Since 2001, WADA has invested more than USD 90 million in more than 600 research projects, helping researchers around the world make breakthroughs in anti-doping science.
In 2023 alone, 36 publications stemmed from WADA-funded scientific research.
2023 Scientific Research Grant Program
In September, WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) approved funding recommendations for research proposals for the Agency’s 2023 call for scientific research grants. A total of 30 projects from 21 countries across four continents were selected for funding, amounting to USD 3.5 million.
New grant application process
WADA saw the need to overhaul the system to make the process more efficient and compatible with the realities of a fast-evolving field. To promote a more dynamic and attractive research program, in December 2023, WADA launched a new grant application process alongside its Call for Proposals for 2024 Scientific Research Grants. Under the new system, researchers are now welcome to submit Expressions of Interest at any time during the year.
Research filtering tool
In December, responding to stakeholder feedback, WADA launched an optimized filtering tool that allows researchers and stakeholders to search for scientific and social science WADA-funded projects based on research themes, researcher name, institution, country, year of approval, etc.
2023 was a milestone year for the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) with the launch of the Endocrine Module and blood steroid markers in the Steroidal Module, and their collective launch within a new ABP interface in WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management System [ADAMS] NextGen, as well as progress towards the ABP’s ability to detect sample swapping.
Endocrine Module
The launch of the new Endocrine Module brought with it the ability for the ABP to improve the detection of human growth hormone (hGH) and related compounds abuse. This new approach is more sensitive than the hGH Biomarkers Test and can be used to target samples for further analysis of hGH and ultimately better identify suspicious athletes for further scrutiny.
Blood steroid markers in the Steroidal Module
The new blood steroid markers, intended to be complementary to the existing urinary steroid profile, provide a more immediate temporal snapshot of steroid levels prior to metabolism and excretion in urine. This has helped identify normal blood steroid results in some cases of athletes with long-standing suspicious urine profiles, indicating that their urine data was most likely not due to doping, allowing Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) to focus their resources elsewhere.
Detection of sample swapping
The ABP’s ability to detect sample swapping (i.e., urine exchange) is being advanced by applying machine learning tools to develop an algorithm to flag abnormal samples. In 2023, the tool was optimized and in 2024, it will be applied as part of a pilot project to assess its impact in collaboration with ABP partners.
The Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) process is a means by which an athlete may obtain approval to use a prohibited substance or method for the treatment of a legitimate medical condition. The TUE process is a necessary part of elite sport and has overwhelming acceptance from athletes, physicians, and anti-doping stakeholders worldwide.
In 2023, a total of 3,744 new approved TUEs were registered in ADAMS, compared to 3,253 in 2022.
National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) remain the most active ADOs in that field, entering 81% of all TUEs. International Federations (IFs) registered 17.5% of the total, Major Event Organizations (MEOs) registered 0.8%, and others (e.g., continental sports confederations) registered 0.9%. IFs and MEOs can recognize TUEs granted by other ADOs, rather than require new TUE applications.
Approved TUEs for S9 (glucocorticoids) on the Prohibited List remain the most common at 32% of the total, followed by S6 (Stimulants) at 31% and S4 (hormone and metabolic modulators) at 13%.
WADA screens all TUEs based on risk prioritization. In 2023, the Agency conducted 10 WADA TUE Committee reviews, which resulted in 7 TUEs not being granted.
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Strategic approaches to testing and technology and leveraging private funding to increase IT capacity
For many of our scientific advances to be fully realized, they require accompanying technological innovations from our IT, Data and Digital Development Department. For example, the improved detection capabilities rendered through the ABP’s new Endocrine Module and blood markers on the Steroidal Module come into play only through their integration into ADAMS. In addition, a new functionality to manage samples in long-term storage and assist with the coordination between ADOs and Laboratories was included in ADAMS. In 2023, WADA’s Strategic Testing Expert Advisory Group (STEAG) met in April and August and WADA’s ADAMS Testing Working Group (ATWG) met in May and November to, amongst other things, support our IT and Testing departments with these developments and to monitor their progress.
The STEAG also created a sub-working group consisting of five of its members and WADA staff to conduct a detailed review of the Technical Document for Sport Specific Analysis (TDSSA), including the analysis of ADAMS data from 2015-2022. Version 9.0 of the TDSSA was published in December.
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Leveraging private funding to increase IT capacity
2023 marked an important year for WADA’s strategic approach to digital solutions and innovation: we increased the future capacity for ADAMS development by 25% through a new global partnership with technology transformation leader Sword Group. This latest partnership is a result of our efforts to seek private financial partners that will enable us to go further than we currently can.
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Employing social science research to develop evidence-based prevention strategies
WADA is committed to increasing our understanding of doping and clean sport behaviors to contribute to prevention strategies through its Social Science Research (SSR) Grant Program. The Program was created to ensure that preventive anti-doping education programs are designed using an evidence-based approach. Since its creation in 2005, the program has funded 150+ projects, awarding over USD 5 million.
In August, WADA published the nine SSR projects that were approved by the ExCo for a total of USD 481,815 as part of the Agency’s 2023 SSR Grant Program. The nine projects will cover 14 countries directly – three projects are based in Europe, three in Africa, two in Asia and one in Oceania. This is in line with the stated strategy of ensuring that at least 35% of funded projects are based outside Europe, due to the traditional dominance of European applicants receiving funding.
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Strengthening governance for greater leadership
Our capacity to lead depends greatly on our own governance structures. 2023 was a momentous year in this regard, having completed the second round of governance reforms initiated in 2020. The reforms have led to enhanced representation for athletes and NADOs within WADA, as well as greater independence and accountability.
Athlete Council
The new Athlete Council (AC) represents, supports, and promotes the voices of athletes on anti-doping matters. In March, the AC elected its Chair (who in turn sits on the ExCo); its Vice-Chair; and two members to sit on the WADA Foundation Board (Board). The AC also selects the athletes’ representatives sitting on all three of WADA’s Standing Committees as well as the Compliance Review Committee.
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NADO representation
The reformed NADO Expert Advisory Group (EAG) is responsible for representing the views of NADOs and bringing them forward to WADA's Board, reviewing anti-doping matters impacting NADOs, and providing relevant guidance and recommendations to WADA to enhance collaboration with and development of NADOs globally. In March, the NADO EAG elected a Chair and Vice-Chair, both of whom have joined the Board.
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Independence and accountability
In March, WADA announced the appointment of Mr. Gautier Aubert as the inaugural Ethics Officer. A Swiss lawyer and sports law expert, Mr. Aubert works independently of WADA and alongside the Independent Ethics Board (IEB) implementing WADA’s Code of Ethics, a document developed to ensure that WADA’s governance and administration are held to the highest ethical standards.
In August, WADA launched its Ethics Reporting Platform. Developed with support from WADA’s IT team, the website allows for the collection of allegations from anyone who observes a suspected breach of the Code of Ethics by WADA Officials. The confidential, secure, and independent reporting platform is solely operated by WADA’s independent Ethics Officer.
To learn more, check out the dedicated IEB website.
Grow Impact
WADA’s ‘Grow Impact’ priority strives to expand the reach and impact of anti-doping programs by enhancing capacity and capability building and knowledge sharing between Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) and enabling local program delivery. Several teams across the Agency contribute to the work of this priority, including Education, Program Development, Intelligence and Investigations, National Anti-Doping Organization/Regional Anti-Doping Organization (NADO/RADO) Relations, and the Regional Offices.
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Advancing and empowering the global anti-doping workforce
In 2023, WADA’s Global Learning and Development Framework (GLDF) continued to advance the work of developing Professional Standards and Role Descriptors, which provide benchmarks of necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies across the global anti-doping workforce.
The Professional Standards and Role Descriptors are created in collaboration with stakeholders and serve as the basis for the development of role-specific training programs. In 2023, WADA published Standards and Role Descriptors tailored to the Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) and Testing workforces and delivered a total of ten training programs to 144 anti-doping professionals in all roles currently covered by the GLDF, including: Results Management, Education, TUEs, Testing, Communications, Privacy and Data Protection, and Intelligence and Investigations.
The GLDF entered a new phase in 2022, the GLDF4CleanSport project, which is funded through the European Union (EU) Erasmus+ Program and is a collaboration between WADA, the European Observatoire for Sports and Employment and seven ADOs (Anti-Doping Denmark, Doping Authority Netherlands, the French Anti-Doping Agency, National Anti-Doping Agency Austria, Polish Anti-Doping Agency, World Athletics, and World Rugby). The focus in 2023 for this project was to establish Technical Working Groups for the roles related to Compliance, Government Advisors, and Major Event Organizations (MEOs) which would then be responsible for developing new Professional Standards and Role Descriptors for these roles. In addition, the project launched the first ever global workforce survey.
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Supporting the growth and development of anti-doping programs worldwide
WADA’s transversal Program Development Impact Area is responsible for coordinating development initiatives with the relevant functional areas and programs, collaborating to support the growth of anti-doping programs worldwide.
Its ADO Program Assessment Framework (ADOPAF) continuously assesses the health of ADO programs from anti-doping and sports performance data, providing a high-level view of individual ADO programs and the global anti-doping landscape by identifying trends and issues. In turn, these insights create a feedback loop, helping us develop projects to address gaps and deficiencies.
In 2023, Program Development supported the coordination of the following projects:
- Testing Programs Project for Priority ADOs
- Continental Results Management Panels
- TUE Development Project
- Major Event Anti-Doping Legacy Program
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Testing Programs Project for Priority ADOs
This project is designed to assist priority ADOs facing issues in the development and implementation of sustainable testing programs that comply with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). In 2023, following a comprehensive review of ADO testing programs, we strategically selected 16 ADOs that would benefit most from capacity and capability development activities to participate in GLDF training, and launched three individual ADO projects with the objective of strengthening testing programs in the lead up to Paris 2024.
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Continental Results Management Panels
Following the creation of three Continental Results Management Panels to serve the regions of Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia/Oceania, and Africa, a capacity building program was developed to provide training to these panels to enable them to conduct hearings in a timely manner and make decisions in accordance with the Code and International Standard for Results Management.
2023 was an important year to continue consolidating the results management capacities of panel members through webinars and face-to-face seminars. This was especially relevant in 2023 as the panels began to hear their first cases.
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TUE Development Project
One major element of this project was raising TUE awareness among athletes and Athlete Support Personnel. To achieve this, WADA ran a social media campaign, which had a collective reach* of 100,000+ users.
*Reach is the number of unique users who have seen a particular piece of content. It measures the potential audience size, indicating how many individual users have been exposed to the content at least once.
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Major Event Anti-Doping Legacy (MEAL) Program
The MEAL Program focuses on supporting the development of anti-doping programs and resources by MEOs and other key stakeholders, while promoting clean sport in regions of the world where anti-doping activity is otherwise limited. The goal is not just to support ADOs on the ground in real time, but also to leave behind a strong legacy for all ADOs involved to grow capacity and strengthen capabilities in the long term.
In 2023, the MEAL Program was implemented at the Central American and Caribbean Games, which were held in El Salvador and the Dominican Republic from 23 June to 8 July 2023; the Pan Arab Games in Algeria from 5 to 15 July; and the Francophonie Games, which took place in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 28 July to 6 August 2023.
You can find the MEAL Program Reports for each event below:
2023 Central American and Caribbean Games MEAL Report 2023 Pan Arab Games MEAL Report 2023 Francophonie Games MEAL Report Check out the Program Development webpage to learn more about current projects.
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Expanding and strengthening anti-doping intelligence and investigations (I&I)
I&I Capacity and Capability Building Project
Throughout 2023, WADA carried out the I&I Capacity and Capability Building Project, co-funded by the EU. The Project brought together representatives from 51 NADOs and 48 law enforcement agencies in Europe for education, training, and mutual operations to work collaboratively on the fight against doping in sport.
We are very proud to say that this Project—which also included a social media campaign to raise awareness of the use of anabolic steroids—has led to the dismantling of several illicit steroid laboratories, the seizure of significant amounts of performance enhancing substances, and to several athletes being caught for doping.
Due to the Project’s success, we will be expanding the initiative to Asia and Oceania in 2025 and to other regions thereafter with the aim of establishing a Global Anti-Doping Intelligence and Investigations Network (ADIIN).
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WADA leads collaborative sessions to strengthen I&I
In June, WADA’s Confidential Information Unit, in collaboration with Anti-Doping Norway, hosted the 2nd annual Sport Human Intelligence Network (SHIN) meeting, a network of confidential human source handlers from across the anti-doping community.
In October, WADA’s I&I Department collaborated with the Athletics Integrity Unit to host an ADIIN Expert Group session in Monaco.
The respective sessions involved participants from NADOs, International Federations, the International Testing Agency, and WADA I&I and discussed emerging issues in intelligence, human source handling, and investigations. Participants shared their respective experiences and reflected on how to further strengthen the anti-doping process.
The outcomes of the meetings have since been reviewed by the SHIN and ADIIN steering committees and shared with the relevant drafting teams for the 2027 Code and International Standards Update Process.
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Developing anti-doping programs through NADO/RADO Relations
WADA renews MOU with the Central European Anti-Doping Organization
In March, WADA renewed its memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Central European Anti-Doping Organization (CEADO), which will allow for continued collaboration on anti-doping program development activities and strengthening anti-doping in Europe.
CEADO is a partnership of nine NADOs (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia) that work together towards the common goal of harmonizing and strengthening the anti-doping system in the region. The partnership is supported by WADA’s NADO Program, which aims to assist and support NADOs in their development and capacity building, strengthen NADO independence, and develop collaborative relations between NADOs and stakeholders.
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WADA hosts results management workshop for Gulf State NADOs
In October, WADA partnered with the Kuwait NADO to host a results management workshop. The workshop was attended by results management staff (including hearing panel members) from several Gulf Cooperation Council States, including Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman, as well as representatives from Jordan.
There has been tangible growth among the individual Gulf State NADOs who, supported by WADA’s NADO Program, have spent the past several years focusing on developing their anti-doping programs. Accomplishments of the past few years include building dedicated results management departments and establishing first instance hearing panel and appeal bodies.
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WADA shares successes of SuperSport education grants for African RADOs
Through WADA’s sponsorship agreement with Africa-based broadcaster SuperSport, RADOs in Africa have received a number of education grants that have already produced positive and impactful outcomes.
The agreement with SuperSport, which was signed in April 2022, has facilitated the Agency’s efforts in raising awareness of clean sport and delivering values-based education programs throughout the African continent. This has notably been achievable via the funds provided through the agreement, which are invested in various activities in Africa, including the development and delivery of education and prevention programs by the RADOs.
RADOs are regional organizations designated by member countries to coordinate and manage delegated areas of their national anti-doping programs. There are currently 12 RADOs bringing together 119 countries, across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and Oceania.
Learn more about WADA’s RADO Program.
In 2023, WADA provided staffing grants to 11 RADOs and the testing grants supported 672 out-of-competition tests, across 45 sports and in 68 countries.
Be Athlete Centered
Keeping athletes at the center of what we do is critical to ensuring that our decisions are made not just with athletes in mind but in collaboration and consultation with them. WADA’s ‘Be Athlete Centered’ priority of the Agency’s Strategic Plan involves:
- engaging and empowering athletes to contribute to the development of anti-doping policies;
- building an easier anti-doping journey for athletes; and
- gaining the trust and support of athletes in the anti-doping system.
In 2023, the reforms designed to enhance athlete representation within WADA’s governance were fully enacted. Athlete-centered projects such as the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds Program and the Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment were also underway, ensuring that athletes have a dedicated resource to help them navigate the anti-doping system and that anti-doping policy is examined through the lens of how it may impact and protect athletes’ human rights respectively. 2023 also saw the development of two new e-courses for athletes and meaningful athlete engagement at several major sports events.
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Athlete Council
2023 kicked off with an announcement of the complete membership of WADA’s Athlete Council (AC), a new Permanent Special Committee that represents, supports, and promotes the voices of athletes on anti-doping matters. The Council is composed of athletes’ representatives chosen by athletes.
In March, the AC elected its Chair (who sits on the Executive Committee (ExCo)); its Vice-Chair; and two members to sit on the Foundation Board (Board), including one seat reserved for a para-athlete, as follows:
- Ryan Pini (Swimming, Papua New Guinea): AC Chair and ExCo Member
- Gaby Ahrens (Shooting, Namibia): AC Vice-Chair and deputy to the Chair on the ExCo
- Patrick O’Leary (Paracanoe, Ireland): Board Member
- Yuhan Tan (Badminton, Belgium): Board Member
Athletes also sit on all Standing Committees as well as the Compliance Review Committee.
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Athlete Council at International Athlete Forums
In October, at the invitation of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the AC engaged with athlete representatives from around the world at the IOC’s 11th International Athlete Forum on 1-2 October in Lausanne, Switzerland. Before the Forum got underway, the Council had the opportunity to meet with the IOC Athletes’ Commission to discuss ongoing projects and mutual interests; and on the second day, Ryan Pini and AC member Maja Martyna Włoszczowska sat on a panel discussion about athlete rights and clean sport. The panel was an opportunity for them to speak about the work the Council had undertaken in its first year, provide information about the new Ombuds role, and discuss the role of the entourage in anti-doping.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) also held its global Athlete Forum in South Korea from 24-28 June where the AC was represented.
Learn more about the Athlete Council.
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Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds
2023 also saw the announcement of Anna Thorstenson as the inaugural Athletes’ Anti-Doping Ombuds. The Ombuds Program, originally a one-year pilot project that has since been extended, was conceived and proposed by WADA’s Athlete Committee (now Athlete Council) as a way for athletes to access cost-free, neutral, impartial, fair advice and assistance in relation to the World Anti-Doping Code and the entities that play a role within it.
In September, the Ombuds online platform was launched. Developed with support from WADA’s Privacy team, the website is a secure platform that athletes can use to contact the Ombuds with questions or concerns about anti-doping issues, and includes:
- a contact form to send concerns/questions directly to the Ombuds;
- detailed answers to frequently asked questions; and
- links to other useful material and platforms, such as WADA’s Speak Up platform that is a secure way to report doping or other activity that goes against anti-doping rules.
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Human Rights Impact Assessment
In March, WADA announced that Snežana Samardžić-Marković had begun conducting an Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment, a project that was proposed by WADA’s Athlete Committee to evaluate the intersection between the World Anti-Doping Program and human rights. In July 2023, the Athlete Advisory Group on Human Rights in Anti-Doping held its inaugural meeting with Samardžić-Marković. She has continued to work closely with a group of AC members over the course of the assessment.
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Athlete education
Athlete education is an integral part of the athlete anti-doping journey. The International Standard for Education recognizes that athletes should have their first experience with anti-doping through education rather than doping control and that topics and content of education should be adapted and tailored to meet the needs of the target audience.
In line with these principles, in 2023, WADA launched two new e-courses on the Agency’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning platform (ADEL):
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Athlete Engagement at events
WADA’s Athlete Engagement at events is geared towards raising awareness about clean sport while engaging athletes and their support personnel to get involved and be part of the solution. In 2023, the Agency’s Athlete Engagement program had a truly global reach—its athlete-led teams ran booths with interactive activities at four events held in three different regions of the world, engaging with thousands of athletes.
2023 European Games
21 June-2 July 2023
Kraków, Poland2022 Asian Games*
23 September-8 October
Hangzhou, China2023 Pan American Games
20 October-5 November
Santiago, Chile2023 Parapan American Games
17-26 November
Santiago, Chile*The Asian Games were originally scheduled to take place in September 2022, but took place in September and October 2023.
Collaborate and Unite
WADA seeks to engage everyone involved in anti-doping, in particular Public Authorities and the Sport Movement, to increase unity, coherence, and support in everyone’s efforts to protect clean sport. WADA’s Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships Impact Area, Sport Movement Relations Department, and Regional Offices are all instrumental to this work.
WADA also establishes strategic partnerships to strengthen the clean sport movement, hosts events to unite the global anti-doping community, and plays key roles in events organized by other anti-doping organizations and Governments.
At a governance level, collaboration is key. WADA’s many Committees, Expert Advisory Groups and Working Groups contribute significantly to the development of the anti-doping system. WADA is grateful to the members of each of these groups, all of whom graciously volunteer their time and expertise for the collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport.
Stakeholder Engagement
Members of WADA leadership, including President Witold Bańka, Vice-President Yang Yang, and Director General Olivier Niggli, frequently meet with government officials and sport leaders across the globe, both in bilateral meetings and multilateral forums. These meetings are key opportunities for exchange—for WADA to hear from its stakeholders about the anti-doping landscape in their region, the work they are conducting, and the challenges they are facing, as well as for WADA to update stakeholders on its activities and priorities. Above all, these are opportunities to promote the need for continued collaboration and harmonization of anti-doping rules, policies, and regulations between Governments and sport leaders worldwide and for stakeholders to strengthen their commitment to protecting clean sport.
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Governments
Governments are key stakeholders to WADA: they fund the National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), they fund WADA, and they adopt anti-doping policies and legislation. Without the support of Governments, the anti-doping movement could not have been developed to the extent it is today. The following events are a collection of some of the events in 2023 that were organized by Governments with WADA or with WADA’s participation.
Strengthening anti-doping across the Caribbean
In January, at a WADA forum in Kingston graciously co-hosted by the Government of Jamaica’s Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, WADA encouraged Sports Ministers in the Caribbean to collaborate more to strengthen anti-doping in the region. Mr. Bańka called on them to ensure that athletes receive the right level of anti-doping education, that more robust testing strategies are implemented, that a strong legal framework is in place, and that they organize similar events on an annual basis to facilitate effective regional collaboration. The forum featured representatives from 13 countries, including nine Sports Ministers, senior representatives from four other nations, and the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO), and is part of a series of such events that WADA has been holding to gather and exchange views with governments around the world.
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WADA leadership meets with Brazilian and Argentinian partners
In February, WADA Leadership traveled to South America to meet with a number of key anti-doping partners and government officials from Brazil and Argentina. Over the course of the trip WADA’s President and Director General met with the Sports Ministers of both countries, the Presidents of both National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and members of both NOC Athletes’ Commissions—a real success in terms of engaging in dialogue with the three key stakeholder groups.
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WADA Director General addresses Global Ministerial Forum in Saudi Arabia
Later in February, Mr. Niggli addressed the Global Ministerial Forum on Sport Values, Ethics and Integrity, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he underscored the importance of anti-doping as a key component for protecting the integrity of sport around the world. The Forum, which was attended by 22 Ministers and government representatives from 48 countries, was centered around high-level policy dialogue with an emphasis on the requirements and obstacles in the protection of sport values and ethics. Also speaking at the Forum were representatives from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Federation for Football (FIFA), the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
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WADA President holds productive meetings with stakeholders in Ethiopia and Ghana
In March, in the lead up to the 2023 African Games*, Mr. Bańka spent a week in Africa meeting with key anti-doping stakeholders, partners, and senior government officials from Ethiopia and Ghana, as well as representatives from the African Union. Joining Mr. Bańka in his meetings was the Director of WADA’s Africa Office, Rodney Swigelaar.
*The African Games were originally scheduled to take place in August 2023, but took place in March 2024.
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WADA leadership plays key role at Intergovernmental Ministerial Meeting in Sri Lanka
In June, WADA traveled to Colombo, Sri Lanka for the 18th Asia/Oceania Region Intergovernmental Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Doping in Sport. It was attended by NADO and Public Authority representatives from 35 countries, including 12 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of the region. Mr. Bańka, Ms. Yang, and Mr. Niggli were all present at the meeting, during which they encouraged the participating countries to continue collaborating to strengthen the anti-doping system for athletes across the two continents.
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WADA Director General addresses the 9th Session of the Conference of Parties to the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport in France
In October, Mr. Niggli traveled to Paris to address the 9th Session of the Conference of Parties (COP9) to the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport. Mr. Niggli updated the COP9 on WADA’s latest activities and outlined some of the Agency’s key strategic priorities as it continues to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport.
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Sport Movement
The Sport Movement maintains an equal partnership with Governments of the world to form the foundation and operation of WADA’s governance and funding model. WADA collaborates with the various Sport Movement bodies that regulate and promote sports around the world, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), International Federations (IFs), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), National Paralympic Committees (NPCs), and Major Event Organizations (MEOs). Much like its interactions with Public Authorities, WADA leadership holds frequent bilateral meetings and multilateral forums with sports leaders around the world.
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WADA collaborates with anti-doping partners to promote clean sport at Regional Games
In June, WADA leadership traveled to Kraków, Poland, alongside the Agency’s Athlete Engagement team, for the 2023 European Games. During the Games, WADA collaborated with: the European Olympic Committees (EOC), the EOC Athletes’ Commission, the Polish Anti-Doping Agency, the local organizing committee, and the International Testing Agency.
In September and October, Mr. Bańka was in Hangzhou, China for the 2022 Asian Games. Over the course of the Games, WADA and its Athlete Engagement team collaborated with the Olympic Council of Asia, the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency, the local organizing committee, and the International Testing Agency.
WADA had Independent Observer (IO) teams at both Games and the IO Reports have since been published. You can access the Reports here:
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WADA President delivers update on Agency’s activities to 141st IOC Session
In October, Mr. Bańka delivered a speech to the 141st IOC Session held in Mumbai, India, during which he updated IOC members on WADA’s activities, particularly as they relate to preparations for the Paris 204 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
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Partnerships
The capacity for and impact of WADA’s engagement is also amplified through collaboration with a range of Intergovernmental Institutions.
WADA highlights action plan for memorandum of understanding with Association of South-East Asian Nations
In August, Mr. Bańka played a key role at the Seventh Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting on Sports in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In an opening address to the representatives of the 13 Asian nations in attendance, Mr. Bańka stressed the importance of cooperation and partnership between ASEAN and WADA and highlighted an action plan to successfully implement the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the two organizations in 2022.
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WADA signs MOU with the World Health Organization
In October, WADA signed a four-year MOU with the World Health Organization (WHO), which will allow experts from both international organizations to collaborate and share information on issues where anti-doping and public health intersect. The MOU, which was signed in Geneva, Switzerland by Mr. Bańka, and Director General of the WHO, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, provides a framework of cooperation between WADA and the WHO to further their goals, specifically with regards to health promotion, the prevention of substance abuse and emerging drugs, and the promotion of clean sport.
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WADA Events
WADA Annual Symposium: ‘United Toward a World of Doping-Free Sport’
On 14-15 March, WADA convened its 2023 Annual Symposium in Lausanne, Switzerland, which brought together more than 1,000 participants (around 850 in person and 150 virtually) from the global anti-doping community under the theme ‘United Toward a World of Doping-Free Sport’.
The event opened with a keynote address by Mr. Bańka and a presentation by Mr. Niggli that were followed by 22 interactive sessions delivered by anti-doping stakeholders in close collaboration with WADA representatives.
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Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Symposium
From 31 May – 2 June, WADA held its fifth TUE Symposium in Incheon, South Korea. Graciously hosted by the Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA), the 2023 TUE Symposium brought together more than 250 participants.
Medical and anti-doping experts, as well as TUE managers and administrators from around the world convened to discuss the challenges of harmonization of TUEs in a diverse world and to improve understanding of the complex processes that are in place to ensure fairness for all athletes. The Symposium included medico-legal case studies, interactive sessions, and lectures from some of the top anti-doping experts in the world.
WADA’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Alan Vernec, commented on the success of the event:
“The 2023 TUE Symposium was an excellent example of what we can accomplish when we work collaboratively with our partners and colleagues from around the world. The Symposium brought together the top minds to better understand this nuanced and complex topic in an enthusiastic and productive setting, and the feedback we received has been pretty fantastic. Beyond the core teaching and harmonization of TUE processes, I was impressed with the energy and passion for anti-doping among those in attendance, an important element when one considers that most physicians within anti-doping are volunteers. The TUE process is unable to operate without their selfless dedication, and we are grateful to them for it. I would also like to thank Dr. Young-Hee Lee, the President of the Korea Anti-Doping Agency and his team for their hospitality and tireless efforts in helping WADA organize this enriching and educational event.”
To learn more about TUEs, visit the TUE section of WADA’s website.
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Play True Day 2023
Our 2023 Play True Day digital campaign saw enthusiastic participation from across the global anti-doping community. The campaign asked athletes, NADOs and RADOs, Sports Federations, Governments, MEOs and other stakeholders from the global anti-doping community to join WADA in building the world’s biggest team playing for clean sport: #OnePlayTrueTeam. This year achieved a potential social media reach of more than 161 million around the globe that almost doubled our previous high of 87 million in 2021; and, generated nearly 160,000 social media engagement*.
Check out the Play True Day 2023 recap video to see stakeholder celebrations around the world through their photos, videos and campaigns on social media.
* Total likes, retweets and comments and such interactions on a social media post
Other symposia, summits, and seminars
Over the course of the year, WADA also played important roles in other anti-doping symposia, summits, and seminars in Europe and Asia. These events all provided opportunities for anti-doping communities in different regions to gather, collaborate, build new relationships, forge new connections and strengthen existing ones; and of course, to renew commitments to clean sport:
World Anti-Doping Program
The backbone of our work is the World Anti-Doping Program, which is comprised of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), International Standards (Standards), and Guidelines, which together ensure harmonization and best practice. These are all living documents and thus are updated as needed in consultation with stakeholders. In turn, as the global regulatory body for anti-doping in sport, WADA is responsible for monitoring effective implementation of and compliance with the Code and Standards by Code Signatories and also for ensuring global harmonization of sanctions and equal treatment for athletes.
List of Prohibited Substances and Methods
In September 2023, following our usual, extensive stakeholder consultation process with some of the most qualified experts in the fields of science and medicine from around the world, WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) approved the 2024 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (List). The List was then published on 28 September, along with the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes and the 2024 Monitoring Program. As is customary, the new List came into effect 1 January 2024.
Guidelines, Technical Documents + Letters, Code and Standards Update
Guidelines provide Signatories with recommended practices for several aspects of anti-doping. These Guidelines are not mandatory, but they offer technical guidance to Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) in the implementation of programs. As with the Code and Standards, the Guidelines are subject to ongoing review and reassessment.
Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Guidelines
In 2023, WADA published new Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) Guidelines, which have been updated to incorporate the Endocrine Module and new markers of the Steroidal Module measured in blood, both of which were introduced alongside the launch of the ADAMS Next Gen ABP Module in August 2023. Related to these updates, we also published two new Laboratory Guidelines regarding the Analytical Testing Procedures used to quantify markers for the Endocrine Module and for quantification of steroid markers in blood (serum) samples.
Guidelines for Human Source Management
WADA also published new Guidelines for Human Source Management, which serve as a model of best practice for the management of Human Sources by ADOs. WADA Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) produced these Guidelines to support ADOs in the development and management of Human Source programs. The Guidelines, which feature fundamental principles and best practices, are part of WADA’s ongoing work to better educate ADOs on important investigative methodologies and practices in this important area.
Under the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), WADA issues Technical Documents (TDs) and Technical Letters (TLs) to provide direction to WADA-accredited laboratories, WADA-approved laboratories for the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), and other stakeholders. TDs provide direction on specific technical or procedural issues whereas TLs provide direction on particular issues on the analysis, interpretation, and reporting of results or on the application of specific laboratory procedures. The implementation of the requirements of TDs and TLs is mandatory for obtaining and maintaining WADA accreditation or approval as applicable.
In 2023, WADA published updated versions of the following two TDs and one TL:
In September 2023, WADA launched the first phase of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards Update Process (2027 Code and IS Update Process).
This two-year, multi-phase process is summarized in the 2027 Code and IS Update Process – Timelines & Key Phases document and corresponding webinar presentation and is also outlined below:
- Consideration of stakeholders’ feedback on the Code and Standards;
- Circulation of drafts of proposed amendments to the Code and Standards;
- Final versions of the Code and Standards presented for consideration and approval at the sixth World Conference on Doping in Sport, to be held in December 2025 in Busan, Republic of Korea; and
- Updated 2027 Code and Standards, entering into effect on 1 January 2027.
More information regarding the 2027 Code and IS Update Process is available on our Code Review webpage.
Compliance
As the global regulatory body for anti-doping in sports, one of WADA’s primary roles is to monitor Code Signatories’ compliance with the Code and Standards. WADA does this through its Compliance Monitoring Program, comprised of the Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ); Program Area Monitoring; audits; and reviews of anti-doping rules, regulations, and national legislation.
In 2023, around 300 Signatories received support or were assessed by one or more of our compliance monitoring programs as follows:
- The CCQ project required International Federations (IFs) and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) to report on their adherence to the 2021 Code and Standards, which was the second year of the initiative. All Tier 1, 2, and 3 IFs and NADOs had received their CCQ by the end of 2023, and 171 Corrective Action Reports (CARs) had been issued.
- WADA conducted 10 audits during the year.
- WADA started to roll out its Program Area Monitoring program with a pilot group of 21 Signatories.
- WADA received 333 sets of rules and/or legislation to review from 97 Code Signatories.
The panels that follow provide some of the key findings drawn from the Compliance Monitoring Program in 2023.
- Despite an increase in the number of requirements in the 2021 Code and Standards, 19% fewer non-conformities were identified in the 2022/3 CCQ compared to the 2017 CCQ for the same Signatories. However, critical non-conformities increased by 5%.
- Education was the largest source of non-conformities for IFs (reflecting the recent publication of the new International Standard for Education in 2021) and represented 34% of all non-conformities for IFs.
- Signatories audited in between the 2017 and 2022/23 CCQ recorded 77% fewer non-conformities in 2022/3.
- NADOs recorded their highest average number of non-conformities per CAR (33.6), largely because four of the seven NADOs audited were from Tier 2.
- IFs recorded on average 11.7 non-conformities per CAR which was the lowest average compared with previous years.
A new pilot program for program area monitoring was launched. Of the 21 Signatories monitored, two CARs were issued. Of the 13 non-conformities identified, nine related to testing.
- Compared to 2022, there was a 26% increase in the number of anti-doping rules, and in some cases national legislation, received for review by WADA.
- New or amended national legislation was submitted by 25 countries to WADA for review to ensure compliance with the Code.
- Testing continues to generate the greatest number of non-conformities across Signatories, with 30% being critical in nature.
- A Program Development Testing Project was established and will continue to support Signatories in improving their Testing programs throughout 2024.
- Resources available to Signatories remain a challenge, with 35% of Signatories from the CCQ and two Signatories audited in 2023 receiving a critical non-conformity because they required additional resources to meet the requirements of the Code and Standards.
- Signatory satisfaction with WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program as measured by CCQ and audit feedback remains high.
- In 2023, 108 compliance procedures for 88 Signatories were opened, 80% originating from the CCQ exercise. Despite the high number of compliance procedures opened, one positive trend was that the majority of compliance procedures (82%) were resolved before the case reached the Compliance Review Committee (CRC). This has been achieved through coordinated and targeted support from WADA departments and Regional Departments to assist and support Signatories in compliance procedures.
- The ExCo endorsed 16 recommendations from the CRC.
- Throughout the year, 11 Signatories were placed on the “watchlist”.
- Two Signatories were declared non-compliant: the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Gabon NADO. At the end of 2023, five Signatories were non-compliant: the NADOs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)*, Gabon*, and Russia; the International Federation for Fitness and Bodybuilding; and the OCA*.
- Four NADOs appealed their non-compliance outcome to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS): Russia, South Africa, Nigeria and Venezuela. These represent the first CAS cases linked to audits and the CCQ.
*Note: the NADOs of the DPRK and Gabon as well as the OCA were reinstated in early 2024.
Summary
Identifying trends and comparisons from year to year is a challenge because annual compliance monitoring programs vary. However, in 2023, there is evidence that the maturity of the anti-doping system is increasing, although compliance by all Signatories is still not ‘business-as-usual’. WADA continues to require compliance measures to verify and monitor Signatory compliance, and deadlines have proven effective in encouraging Signatories to take the necessary actions.
Independent Observer program
WADA’s Independent Observer (IO) program, which complements the Compliance Monitoring Program of Major Event Organizations, helps enhance athlete and public confidence at major sporting events by monitoring and reporting on all phases of the doping control and results management processes.
In 2023, WADA’s IO program was present at:
Results Management
WADA reviews all decisions rendered by Signatories worldwide, and files appeals where appropriate to ensure global harmonization of the sanctions and an equal treatment for athletes, regardless of where they come from or what sport they compete in. In 2023, WADA filed 30 appeals.
In May 2023, WADA published its 2020 Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) Report, a set of statistics that illustrates the outcomes of Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) resulting from samples collected in 2020 as well as non-analytical cases for which a decision was issued in 2020. This report complements the 2020 Testing Figures Report published in December 2021.
Key information provided in the 2020 ADRVs Report includes:
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149 758 149,758 samples collected
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935 935 ADRVs recorded (25 of which are related to Athlete Support Personnel), involving individuals from 91 nationalities across 67 sports
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672 672 ADRVs came from AAFs
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263 263 ADRVs came from non-analytical, evidence-based intelligence.
The proportion of ADRVs confirmed to samples collected remained stable as compared to 2019 despite the drop in the number of samples collected in 2020 as a result of COVID-19.
Comparisons with 2018 and 2019 are listed in the table below.
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Total Samples |
Total ADRVs |
Nationalities |
Sports |
ADRVs Coming from AAFs |
Non-Analytical ADRVs |
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2020 |
149,758 |
935 |
91 |
67 |
672 |
263 |
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2019 |
278,047 |
1,914 |
117 |
89 |
1,537 |
377 |
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2018 |
263,519 |
1,923 |
117 |
92 |
1,640 |
283 |
RUSADA
The two-year period of consequences contained in the CAS decision regarding RUSADA’s non-compliance came to an end on 17 December 2022. Since then, WADA has been monitoring the progress being made by RUSADA as it seeks to satisfy the conditions of reinstatement as laid out by the CAS decision. In the meantime, RUSADA remains non-compliant with the Code.
Separately, a fresh critical non-conformity was identified related to inconsistencies between the federal Russian sports legislation and the Code. At its meeting on 22 September 2023, the ExCo accepted the CRC’s recommendation to impose on RUSADA new consequences and reinstatement conditions. On that date, WADA sent RUSADA a formal notice specifying the relevant consequences and reinstatement conditions. RUSADA subsequently disputed WADA’s allegation of non-compliance, as well as the consequences and reinstatement conditions. Accordingly, WADA has recently filed a formal notice of dispute with CAS.
Meanwhile, WADA’s Operation LIMS investigation into the data and samples retrieved by WADA Intelligence and Investigations from the Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory in 2019 continues to be successful. As a sign of that success, the number of athletes who have now been sanctioned as part of this project has reached the 253 milestone, with an additional 32 charged and 94 cases that remain under investigation.
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WADA continued to demonstrate its resilience and agility in 2023 while successfully delivering in its priority areas, all with the collaboration and financial support of our stakeholders. We are grateful to all our stakeholders for the ongoing support to WADA’s mission for doping-free sport.
You can find our 2023 Financial Overview by following the link below:
Overall financial position
Overall, at the end of 2023, the financial position of the Agency was positive. WADA continued to deliver on the Board’s expectations and those of its stakeholders. WADA is grateful for the pre-approved annual budget increases of 8%, 6% and 6% respectively for 2023, 2024, and 2025, which were confirmed in May 2022.
The Agency reaffirms its commitment to maintaining its financial performance and to capitalize on the progress that was achieved in 2023.
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You can find our 2023 Financial Statements by following the link below:
