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WADA leadership thanks governments for their strong support during Americas Sports Council assembly

WADA’s Director of Government Relations, Darren Mullaly, at CADE

This week, members of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) leadership team were in Montego Bay, Jamaica for the 25th General Assembly of the Americas Sports Council (CADE) to meet with stakeholders from the Americas region and reemphasize the important role of Governments in protecting clean sport. 

The annual General Assembly of CADE brings together Sports Ministers and other Government representatives from the Americas region, with anti-doping featuring as a key talking point throughout the meeting. 

Earlier today, Francisco León, the Director of WADA’s Latin America and Caribbean office, delivered a presentation outlining WADA's priorities, recent achievements, and future direction. He emphasized how robust governmental support can positively influence WADA’s initiatives across various departments, including: 

  • The ongoing Intelligence and Investigations Capacity and Capability project, which will be expanded to include the Americas region in 2026/2027; 
  • The impact of WADA’s Athlete Council and the Agency’s Athlete Engagement initiatives; 
  • The role WADA plays in supporting the development of National and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations, and how Governments can play an important role in their effectiveness; and 
  • The steps WADA has taken to engage the Governments of the world to support Anti-Doping Organizations in their respective countries, and to clearly define the role of Governments under the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport. 

Mr. León said: “We are pleased with the collaborative nature of the discussions that took place during this year’s CADE General Assembly. WADA appreciates the opportunity to attend this meeting each year to highlight our work, and the role of the global anti-doping system, in safeguarding the integrity of sport in the Americas and around the world. Our focus remains solely on the protection of clean sport. We are continuously working to achieve this by supporting the development of robust anti-doping programs, building capacity and capabilities, implementing strong values-based education and prioritizing the athletes’ voices in our decision-making governance bodies.  

“In large part, this can only be achieved with the continued support of the Governments of the world – not only through their annual contributions to WADA, but also through investment in their National and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations. We thank the governments of the Americas for their strong and ongoing support as we lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport.” 

Yesterday, Mr. León also presented to the Extraordinary Assembly of the South American Sports Council (CONSUDE) and the General Assembly Central American and Caribbean Council of Sport (CONCECADE) to engage stakeholders from Central and South America on regional issues and initiatives. During the meetings, Mr. León reaffirmed WADA’s position regarding the proposed Enhanced Games, which would actively encourage participants to use substances and methods that are normally prohibited. 

He said: “The Enhanced Games pose a significant threat to the integrity of sport and the health of athletes who are considering taking part. The values and beauty of sport are based on the ideal of clean and fair competition. This reckless initiative is an attack on clean sport, and it sends the wrong message to young people around the world who count elite athletes among their role models. I urge our partners throughout the Americas to join WADA in taking a firm, public stance against this irresponsible and dangerous event.”  

The WADA delegation also met with various sports ministers and Government representatives from the region in order to exchange views and offer guidance on national anti-doping matters. 

WADA’s Director of Government Relations, Darren Mullaly, said: “Governments have a critical part to play in ensuring the success and harmonization of Anti-Doping Organizations around the world. WADA continues to actively engage country leaders, sport ministers and government officials from around the world to ensure they are kept abreast of WADA’s strategic priorities and ongoing projects. In our discussions this week, we reiterated the important role of Governments within the framework of the World Anti-Doping Code and the UNESCO Convention and took time to listen to the ideas and opinions of those we engaged with over the course of the assembly.” 

Mr. León and Mr. Mullaly were joined in Jamaica by colleagues Karine Henrie, Director, Athlete Engagement and Günter Younger, Director, Intelligence and Investigations. Both directors were on hand to outline their areas of expertise and discuss relevant regional matters with CADE attendees.