WADA launches 2021 athlete-led webinar series for athletes

First webinar on 25 February to provide COVID-19 update

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to launch its 2021 series of athlete-led webinars for athletes, which is an initiative started last year by WADA’s Athlete Committee that enables interactive engagement by the Agency with athletes worldwide. 
 
WADA invites athletes and others to register for the first webinar of the series, titled 2021 COVID-19 and Clean Sport Update, which will be held on 25 February from 13-14:00 EST; and, will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on athletes and the anti-doping system.
 
During this webinar, WADA Athlete Committee Chair Ben Sandford and the following athlete and expert panelists will discuss the ongoing effect that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on anti-doping for athletes; including, an open Q&A regarding its impacts on testing, the role of vaccines and the way forward.

• Dr. Olivier Rabin, Senior Executive Director, Sciences and International Partnerships, WADA
• James Sclater, Director of Anti-Doping, International Paralympic Committee
• Dr. Lenka Wech, Olympian in rowing and member of WADA’s Health, Medical and Research Committee

Over the last year, WADA and its Athlete Committee have provided information for athletes and others on the matter of COVID-19; in particular, regarding the protection of athlete health and how clean sport can persevere during these challenging times.
 
“As the situation continues to evolve with COVID-19, WADA is committed to update athletes on the effect that the pandemic is having on anti-doping and answer questions they may have on vaccines,” said WADA Athlete Committee Chair, Ben Sandford. “We want to provide athletes with up-to-date information; and, we want to be able to hear and address their concerns. Similar to last year, we hope that this series of webinars will be an effective platform to exchange with athletes and understand how we can best support them and engage them in further strengthening the global anti-doping system.”
 
Anti-Doping Organizations worldwide are encouraged to relay this announcement on to their athletes; and, to encourage them to register.
 
WADA will publish a complete 2021 webinar series in the coming weeks that will include other webinars for this athlete-led series; as well as webinars that will be part of the Agency’s Code Implementation Support Program (CISP); and, others as deemed relevant.
 
Should you have any questions or comments on the above-referenced webinar, please contact Stacy Spletzer-Jegen, WADA’s Senior Manager, Athlete Relations & Communications, at: stacy.spletzer@wada-ama.org.