WADA releases a set of key outcomes at the first Global Athlete Forum hosted by the Canadian Olympic Committee

Type: Press Release

Topic: General

Year: 2018

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Click here to download images from the first Global Athlete Forum.

MONTREAL (June 6, 2018) – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced a set of key outcomes following the first Global Athlete Forum held in Calgary, Alberta from June 3-5 and hosted by the COC. The forum welcomed more than 100 athlete leaders representing 54 countries to discuss key developments in anti-doping.

After two days of discussions the following represents the key outcomes:

1. The Forum supports the draft Anti-Doping Charter of Athlete Rights and stressed the importance of the Charter to ensure that the rights of all athletes are accepted and that the key principles are integrated into the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code.
2. The Forum identified corruption, conflict of interest and lack of independence as their top three concerns related to the anti-doping system. The WADA Athlete Committee commits to addressing these concerns and to working to improve the situation; as well as, supports WADA’s increasing efforts in addressing these concerns.
3. The Forum supports WADA’s decision to ensure that the outstanding items in the RUSADA Roadmap to Compliance are fulfilled before World Anti-Doping Code compliance is declared.
4. The Forum recognized the brave actions by Russian whistleblowers, Yulia and Vitaly Stepanov, in reporting doping in Russian athletics. The Forum thanked them for their courage and continued commitment to clean sport.
5. The Forum supports WADA’s Speak Up! whistleblower program and the advancements made to ADAMS; as well as, commended the Agency on the new International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories and the work of the Independent Compliance Review Committee.
6. The Forum calls on leaders of sport and government to facilitate an environment that allows athletes to express their opinions without fear of retribution.
7. The Forum calls for more financial investment for global and national anti-doping programs.
8. The Forum expressed concerns about sporting organizations hosting events in WADA non-Code compliant countries.
9. The Forum calls for anti-doping organizations to routinely review their programs.
10. The Forum calls on all athletes and athlete representatives to publicly express their views both individually and collectively.
11. The Forum reinforced the need for meaningful Athlete involvement in the rules governing anti-doping organizations.
12. The Forum stressed the importance of mandatory anti-doping education.
13. The Forum overwhelmingly endorsed full membership of the WADA Athlete Committee Chair on the Executive Committee.

QUOTES:

“I am thrilled by the success of this first ever Global Athlete Forum; in particular, as it relates to the level of dialogue that led to a series of key outcomes. Based on the feedback that I have received, Forum participants feel better equipped with knowledge and tools and are walking away inspired and empowered to do what they can to strengthen clean sport. Meaningful change to protect clean sport can only be achieved with athletes standing together for a strengthened anti-doping system. We would particularly like to acknowledge the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport for all their support and hard work which were instrumental to the creation and success of this Forum.”

– Beckie Scott, Olympic Champion and WADA Athlete Committee Chair

“WADA was pleased with the outcomes and the level of athlete engagement that occurred at the first Global Athlete Forum. Athlete engagement and involvement is at the heart of WADA’s mission and we look forward to continue to further support the athlete’s voice”

– Rob Koehler, Deputy Director General, WADA

“This was a great discussion with athletes at the first WADA Athlete Forum in Calgary. It is our shared responsibility to protect and promote clean sport to level the playing field not just for Team Canada but across the board.”

– Tricia Smith, President, Canadian Olympic Committee

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Maggie Durand
, Manager, Media Relations and Communications
World Anti-Doping Agency
Tel: 1-514-904-8225
E-mail: maggie.durand@wada-ama.org

Joshua Su, Coordinator, Communications
Canadian Olympic Committee
Tel: 416-324-4303 / Cell: 647-464-4060
Email: jsu@olympic.ca

Photi Sotiropoulos, Director, Communications and Media Relations
Canadian Olympic Committee
Tel: 416-324-4298 / Cell: 416-476-9174
Email: psotiropoulos@olympic.ca