WADA Code 3.0 is out

WADA has published its final draft 3.0 of the 2007 World Anti-Doping Code. The draft is a result of extensive consultation with stakeholders and completed a full revision of the existing World Anti-Doping Code, released in 2003. The publication terminated the third and final stakeholder consultation phase.

Adoption of the revised World Anti-Doping Code is scheduled to occur at the WADA Foundation Board Meeting. That meeting will happen in Madrid, Spain, 15-17 November 2007, as part of the World Conference on Doping in Sport.

Signatories of the Code include International Federations of Olympic sports, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, National Olympic Committees, National Paralympic Committees, National Anti-Doping Organizations, Major Games Organizers, and more than 570 sports organizations. They must ensure that their own rules and policies are in compliance with the Code.

WADA is also required to report formally on stakeholder compliance with the Code every two years. The first official report will be released in November 2008, a couple of months before the new Code is supposed to become effective.

The draft was created by getting input from anyone who wanted to let their voices be heard. All stakeholders were encouraged to send their suggestions. Comments received have included feedback from athletes, governments, international organizations, national anti-doping organizations, the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, international sports federations, national Olympic committees, and many other organizations as well as individuals.

Some of the changes include tougher measures. The regular two-year suspension for first-time violators can be adjusted to four years in individual cases. But with hope that the crown witness rule will offer a success, the punishment can also be lowered to six months. Dealing with doping products will see a minimum of four years of suspension.

Another change would see education programs made mandatory for signatories.

WADA emphasized that the review of prohibited substances are not affected by that, as those are two different processes.