WADA publishes 2021 Model Rules for Code Signatories

On 26 November 2019, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) published the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and International Standards (Standards), which were approved by the Agency’s Executive Committee and Foundation Board, respectively, on 7 November.

Today, WADA is pleased to launch its 2021 Code Signatory Support Program, which WADA will develop and implement in coordination with Signatories and other partners through 2020. The Program aims to assist Signatories in their adjustment to, and implementation of, the Code and the Standards, which are mandatory components of the World Anti-Doping Program, that will enter into force on 1 January 2021. 

As a starting point, today WADA is publishing the 2021 Model Rules for Code Signatories (Model Rules), which will help National Anti-Doping Organizations, International Federations, Major Event Organizations and National Olympic Committees in drafting their new anti-doping rules in line with the 2021 Code. WADA encourages Signatories to draft and adopt a completely new set of anti-doping rules to ensure that they comply with the 2021 Code.  The 2021 Model Rules will guide Signatories through this process.

WADA kindly requests that once Signatories have drafted amended anti-doping rules, these draft rules be sent to compliance@wada-ama.org so that WADA can ensure that they are in line with the 2021 Code; can provide feedback if they are not; and, can ultimately approve them before the Signatory starts its internal process of adoption of the rules.

It should be noted that the French version of the Model Rules will be published by WADA in the coming months; and, in the near future, the Agency will provide more information regarding its Signatory Support Program that will prepare us all for January 2021.