Releases

WADA Compliance Review Committee discusses RUSADA, Ukraine and other key matters of compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code

tabletop

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) met in person in Montreal, Canada, between 10-13 October 2022 for its third regular meeting of the year. The members discussed a range of important issues related to WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Compliance Monitoring Program.

At this latest meeting, the CRC discussed:

  • Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) compliance, in particular the reinstatement conditions imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in its 17 December 2020 award and WADA’s monitoring of RUSADA in light of the CAS award;
  • The work of the Ukraine National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) and the testing of Ukraine athletes;
  • New cases of Signatory non-compliance with the Code and International Standards, which will be presented to the Executive Committee (ExCo) in November 2022, if the non-conformities discussed are still not resolved;
  • The latest developments concerning the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) NADO and the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB), which are both non-compliant with the Code, and the Puerto Rico NADO, which is currently on the compliance ‘watchlist’;
  • Amendments to the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS);
  • The continued development and implementation of WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program. The CRC received an update on the Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ) issued to 117 International Federations and NADOs in 2022 and WADA’s Signatory audit plan for 2023; and
  • Progress on WADA’s Compliance Annual Plan for 2022, which includes the implementation of strategic objectives identified in the 2021 Compliance Annual Report including the ongoing implementation of a risk management system for compliance.

The CRC also took the opportunity offered by the in-person meeting to conduct a retrospective review of the entire RUSADA compliance case from its inception through to the current day to identify lessons learned for its own operations. In addition, the CRC always holds a full-day, in-camera session to review and discuss documentation received, review its operations and prepare for the meeting.

The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with the Code. The Chair, Henry Gourdji, will report to the next ExCo and Foundation Board meetings on 17-18 November 2022, respectively.