WADA
General
Over the course of 2014, there were many, wide-ranging, contacts with WADA. There were almost daily consultations about the correct management of Dutch doping infringements, which is monitored by WADA. In addition, there was close collaboration with WADA on ongoing investigations, 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 (ISL).
WADA – ADO Symposium
The Doping Authority attended the annual WADA - ADO Symposium in Lausanne. This symposium was dominated by the discussions relating to the implementation of the revised World Anti-Doping Code.
International Conference on the Implementation of the Revised World Anti-Doping Code (ICIC2014)
Against the backdrop of its 25th jubilee, the Doping Authority organised an international conference in 2014 focusing on the practical implications of the revision of the World Anti-Doping Code pursuant to the decision of the World Conference in Johannesburg in November 2013. On 15, 16 and 17 January, more than 160 participants from 30 countries met in Castle Vaalserbroek in Vaals. Both the content and the arrangements for the conference were very much appreciated by the participants.
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 2014, the Doping Authority was very active on the international stage. The aim is to play a role in guiding international anti-doping policy. 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 2014 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 focus 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 was 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, the Doping Authority joined this umbrella organisation. In 2014, 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, and attended the iNADO meeting in Lausanne before the WADA – ADO Symposium.
IADA
International Anti-Doping Arrangement - IADA
The Doping Authority was present at the annual meeting of this group of 11 countries. The IADA members decided to extend the arrangement for another four years; the new arrangement will be in place from 2015 to 2018.