WADA
General
Over the course of 2013, there were many contacts of different kinds with WADA. There were almost daily consultations about the correct management of Dutch doping cases, which is monitored by WADA. In addition, there was close collaboration with WADA on ongoing investigations, particularly in cycling, and that collaboration has become structural.
Prohibited list
As in other years, a response to the draft prohibited list was sent to WADA in the summer. The Doping Authority coordinates the Dutch response on behalf of the NOC*NSF, the NOC*NSF Athletes Committee and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Once again, it was pointed out that the prohibited list must have a sound practical and scientific basis. Responses were also drafted in the course of the year to a range of technical documents associated with WADA’s International Standard for Laboratories.
WADA – ADO Symposium
The Doping Authority attended the annual WADA - ADO Symposium in Lausanne. It was largely dominated by preparations for the World Conference and the revision of the WADA Code on the agenda for that conference.
Code Revision
WADA organised a range of consultation rounds in 2013 with a view to the revision of the current code (which dates from 2009). During each round, all stakeholders were given the opportunity to comment on the draft versions of the Code and the International Standard. The Doping Authority has been very actively involved with the text and content of the revised code. Even after the conclusion of the official consultation process, the Doping Authority was still able to make direct contributions to the draft proposals. In this final phase leading up to the World Conference on Doping in Sport in Johannesburg, a range of proposals from the Doping Authority were included directly in the new code, which was adopted in Johannesburg in November 2013. The CEO attended the World Conference on behalf of the Doping Authority.
Sociological study
As part of WADA's 'Sociological Research Programme', a research proposal has been submitted and approved in collaboration with four other NADOs with supervision from the University of Potsdam. The study will look at possible performance indicators for NADOs and will continue until early 2015 (pursuant to a number of administrative differences of opinion between the German researchers and WADA, the project was suspended for a short time). On behalf of all the NADOs concerned, the Doping Authority will have an advisory and coordinating role.
Council of Europe
CAHAMA and Monitoring Group
Once again in 2013, the Doping Authority was very active on the international stage. The aim is to play a role in guiding international anti-doping policies. We attended three meetings of the CAHAMA (Ad hoc European Committee for the World Anti-Doping Agency). The CAHAMA mission is:
- To examine the issues concerning relations between the Council of Europe, its Member States and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and to decide on a common position, when possible, on these issues;
- To draw up, if necessary, opinions for the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on these issues, including the budgetary elements;
- To periodically revise the mandate of members of the WADA Foundation Board appointed by the Council of Europe.
CAHAMA's work in 2013 consisted primarily of contributing to the revision of the WADA Code. As the chair of the Advisory Group On Legal Issues of the Council of Europe, the Doping Authority played a key role in the drafting of proposals for improvements to the 2015 Code.
In addition, the Doping Authority attended two meetings of the Monitoring Group. This group monitors the implementation of the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe.
Advisory Groups
The Doping Authority attended a theme meeting on 12 April about anti-doping education and prevention organised by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.
Match fixing
Match fixing is a subject of considerable interest both in the Netherlands and in other countries. At the national level, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has ordered an investigation. At the international level, there have already been discussions of this subject on several occasions in the EU context, and Europol has reported on highly-publicised investigations. At the intergovernmental level, the Council of Europe has taken initiatives to draft a convention on match fixing. On behalf of the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe, the Doping Authority has been asked to contribute to the process of drafting a match-fixing convention under the Council of Europe banner.
European Union
Ad-hoc Group of Experts on Doping in Recreational Sport
An ad hoc group was established in 2013 for the EU “Anti-Doping” Group of Experts. This ad hoc group, which included the Doping Authority, was asked to produce recommendations to prevent doping in recreational sport. The final report - “EU Recommendations on Doping in Recreational Sport”, with recommendations for the EU and its member states - will be published in 2014. The Doping Authority contributed to the report.
Expert Group on Anti-doping
This Expert Group answers to the Council of Ministers of the European Union and it works on doping-related matters that affect Community Law. The subjects discussed included the revision of the present WADA Code, as well as the Regulation relating to data protection proposed by the European Commission.
iNADO
Institute for National Anti-Doping Organisations - iNADO
Immediately after the iNADO was established in 2012, the Doping Authority joined this umbrella organisation. In 2013, iNADO continued to extend its role as the knowledge institute and the representative of the National Anti-Doping Organisations affiliated with it. The Doping Authority has made a range of contributions to the work done by iNADO. We attended the iNADO meeting in Cape Town prior to the World Conference on Doping in Sport.
IADA
International Anti-Doping Arrangement - IADA
The Doping Authority was present at the annual meeting of this group of 11 countries.
Other matters
Amsterdam Education Meeting
On 10 and 11 October 2013, there was an informal meeting of European NADO spokespersons in Amsterdam organised at the initiative of the Finnish NADO and the Doping Authority. Seventeen people from fourteen countries attended, including the CEO of iNADO and the chair of the Education Advisory Group of the Council of Europe. There were seven presentations over the course of two sessions.
