WADA
General
As in previous years, there were many, wide-ranging, contacts with WADA over the course of 2018. There were almost daily consultations about the correct management of Dutch doping violations, which is monitored by WADA. Collaboration with WADA is close and structural.
Prohibited list
Like every year, a response to the draft version of the 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 Sport. Once again, it was pointed out that the prohibited list must have a sound practical and scientific basis. Specific comments were made about thyroid hormone (which the Dutch parties believe should be on the doping list) and the elimination of the distinction for prohibited substances between controls in and out of competition, on condition that the doping list will require some extra adjustments if this difference is indeed eliminated. In recent years, WADA has also provided answers and responses to the comments they receive, which allows us to discuss substantive issues in even more detail. This is a good example of the increasing transparency in the establishment of the international anti-doping policy. In addition, reactions were given to six different drafts of "Technical Documents" associated with the International Standard for Laboratories.
WADA Global Education Conference
The Doping Authority was present at the WADA Global Education Conference, on 24 and 25 October 2018 in Beijing, China. During the conference, the Doping Authority gave a presentation on the Supplement Checker App in a session for NADOs.
WADA Athletes Committee
Chiel Warners, the chair of the NOC*NSF Athletes Committee and a member of the NOC*NSF board, was appointed – in part pursuant to his nomination by the Doping Authority – to the WADA Athletes Committee for a period of three years (2017-2019). Chiel Warners and the Doping Authority have made agreements about exchanges of information and support from the Doping Authority.
Social Science Research
In cooperation with the Doping Authority, Radboud University Nijmegen conducted a two-year study of the effect of ethical training on anti-doping attitudes among up-and-coming athletes. This study was launched officially on 1 April 2016. A pilot project was conducted among up and coming athletes in 2016, the first steps were taken towards the development of the interventions and athletes were recruited for the study. The actual study began in 2017. The project was completed in late June 2018.
WADA – ADO Symposium
The Doping Authority attended the annual WADA - ADO Symposium in Lausanne. The symposium covered a wide range of topics and there were a large number of other meetings and events on the fringes of the symposium. The ADO Symposium has evolved into the annual event at which most of the world's anti-doping organisations meet to discuss and promote developments in the field.
WADA Intelligence & Investigations Working Group
The Doping Authority was a participant on the international WADA Intelligence & Investigations working group. The group consists mainly of intelligence officers and/or intelligence analysts. At the meetings of the group organised by WADA, the members inform one another about new developments and initiatives relating to Intelligence & Investigations and exchange the latest information. A range of cases were also discussed and agreements were made about the collection and exchange of intelligence relating to doping investigations and international collaboration on those investigations.
WADA NADO Working Group
The Doping Authority is represented on this working group, which advises on developments at WADA that affect the interests and the position of NADOs. The views and opinions of the working group are reported to the Foundation Board and many of them are included in the policies of WADA. The working group met twice in 2018, on both occasions in Montreal.
WADA Prevalence of Doping Working Group
At the request of WADA, we have a seat on the Prevalence of Doping Working Group. The general aim is to map out in greater detail current knowledge about the prevalence of doping use, and how this knowledge can best be enhanced in the future. A first pilot study was conducted at the Commonwealth Games in Australia in 2018.
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
CAHAMA and Monitoring Group
We attended three meetings of the CAHAMA (Ad hoc European Committee for the World Anti-Doping Agency). The CAHAMA mission is:
- 1. 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;
- Draw up, if necessary, opinions for the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on these issues, including the budgetary elements;
- Periodically revise the mandate of members of the WADA Foundation Board appointed by the Council of Europe.
In 2018, CAHAMA's activities mainly focused on the non-compliance of Russia, compliance testing by WADA of all doping organisations worldwide (including the Doping Authority), the wishes of WADA relating to an increase in the budget, and preparations for the election of the WADA president.
The Doping Authority also attended the two meetings of the Monitoring Group, which focuses on monitoring the implementation of the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe, and developing and improving anti-doping systems and structures. In 2018, specific attention was paid to the independence of NADOs.
Anti-Doping Convention
Two meetings were held in 2018 in the context of the chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Ad Hoc Working Group for the revision of the Anti-Doping Convention: one on 4 July in Strasbourg and one on 19 November in Paris. The aim of this working group is to arrive at a recommendation for the possible amendment of the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe.
Advisory Groups: Legal Issues
The Doping Authority participated in the 'Advisory Group on Legal Issues' of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 5 February and the working group on Human Rights in Strasbourg on 3 July and in Paris on 20 November.
Advisory Groups: Education
In the context of the 'Expert Group on Education' of the Council of Europe, the Doping Authority attended the meeting on 7-8 March (Dublin, Ireland) and 3-4 September (Qawra, Malta). At the meeting in Dublin, the Doping Authority gave a presentation on the elite sports programme Be PROUD.
iNADO
Institute for National Anti-Doping Organisations – iNADO
Immediately after the iNADO was established, the Doping Authority joined this umbrella organisation. In 2018, iNADO consolidated its role as the knowledge institute and the representative of the National Anti-Doping Organisations affiliated to it. The Doping Authority contributed in many ways to the work of iNADO and it has also been a member of the board since 2016. We attended the iNADO workshop in Lausanne preceding the WADA – ADO Symposium.
IADA
International Anti-Doping Arrangement - IADA
The Doping Authority was present at the annual meeting of this group of countries in Gold Coast (Australia). In early 2016, South Africa decided to leave the arrangement, since when IADA has included ten countries. The present Arrangement covered the period 2015 to 2018.
MISCELLANEOUS
NADO Leaders Summits
After the publication of the second report on Russian doping practices (written by Richard McLaren, who was appointed as the Independent Person in this matter by WADA), a number of developed NADO’s decided to meet to discuss the implications of this report. The first meetings took place in 2016. In 2018, there were three meetings: in Bonn, London and Paris. These meetings ended with the issuing of a press statements on behalf of the NADOs present about the steps these NADOs deemed necessary to tackle the problems that had been identified. The joint positions were extensively quoted in media around the world and the influence on the policy of sports organisations is evident.
Erasmus+ Project FAIR
The Doping Authority is a partner in a three-year (2017-2019) project entitled 'Forum for Anti-Doping in Recreational Sports' (FAIR). The project was initiated by Europe Active. The focus is on improving prevention programmes in fitness/recreational sport and the regulation of sports dietary supplements in European countries.
Erasmus+ Project RESPECT
The Doping Authority is a partner in a three-year (2018-2020) project entitled ‘Research-Embedded Strategic Plan for Anti-Doping Education: Clean Sport Alliance Initiative for Tackling Doping' (RESPECT). The project was initiated by Leeds Beckett University. The aim is to bridge the gap between the academic world in the field of social science and the practical world of doping education. The emphasis is on ensuring that clean athletes are heard more.
Open House CHINADA
On 26 October, the day after the WADA Global Education Conference, CHINADA, in collaboration with iNADO, arranged an Open House. The Doping Authority was also present at this event.
Various collegial contacts
Alongside and in addition to the collegial contacts in the context of meetings, there is frequent bilateral contact with colleagues on doping-related issues. In 2018, the relationship with our Russian colleagues was of particular importance. Our sister organisation RUSADA, which was suspended and almost completely dismantled after the Russian doping scandal came to light, was gradually rebuilt under new leadership from 2017 onwards. In 2018, it implemented an extensive Russian anti-doping programme, supervised and in close cooperation with WADA and several other NADOs. To support this positive development, the CEO of the Doping Authority gave a reading at a conference organised by RUSADA and the Russian Olympic University. A month later, the director of RUSADA visited the offices of the Doping Authority in Capelle aan den IJssel.
