WADA's new version of the Code was approved today, for implementation in 2015

WADA's new version of the Code was approved today, for implementation effective January 1, 2015

 

 A copy of the final draft of the Code and redline comparison to the current (2009) Code can be found on the WADA website by following this link: http://www.wada-ama.org/en/World-Anti-Doping-Program/Sports-and-Anti-Doping-Organizations/The-Code/Code-Review/Code-Version-4-0.

 

Message from USOC General Counsel, Rana Dershowitz 

 
This week the USOC participated in the World Conference on Doping in Sport, the culmination of a two year review process, during which the global sport community engaged in a collaborative process to update the World Anti-Doping Code.  As you may recall, the USOC, NGBC and AAC jointly participated in this review process, submitting three sets of mutually agreed upon comments to drafts of the Code.  I am happy to report that most of our comments were directly addressed in the final iteration of the new Code.  
 
The new version of the Code was approved today, for implementation effective January 1, 2015.   The approval takes place so far in advance of the effective date so that the sport community has the time to educate all of the relevant stakeholders – athletes, NGBs, NOCs, NADOs etc. – on the Code changes in the hopes that no one is caught off guard when the new Code takes effect.
 
We will be working with USADA, the AAC and the NGBC over the course of 2014 in an effort to ensure that the US Olympic Movement is educated on the new Code.  In addition, to effectuate the Code, there will also need to be certain changes to the USOC’s anti-doping policies.
 
In the short term we wanted to give you a few highlights of some of the changes that will most directly affect you and your athletes.  This list is by no means all inclusive, but is really to give you a flavor of some of the key changes.
 
·         The basic penalty for a first doping offense is being raised from two years to four years for non-specified substances

 

·         The new Code contains added mechanisms for flexibility to reduce penalties in appropriate circumstances, in particular with specified substances

 

·         A new doping violation has been added for associating with athlete support personnel (doctors, trainers etc) who has been found to have been involved in doping where the athlete has notice of the situation

 

·         There is an expanded focus on investigation as well as testing as a means to address doping in sport

 

·         New measures are in place to effect better coordination between the anti-doping agencies and the IFs regarding testing, investigation and adjudication

 

·         The Code for the first time contains a global standard that any athlete returning to competition after retirement must wait 6 months (there had previously been a waiting period in the USOC’s policies as well as some IFs, but it has now been made uniform and global).  Waivers to the waiting period may only be granted by WADA

 

·         There are new provisions requiring NFs (and requiring NOCs to require NFs) to report to their anti-doping agency (for us USADA) and their IF any information “suggesting or relating to” an anti-doping violation.  We will clearly need to work with USADA to implement this requirement in a manner consistent with state and federal privacy laws, including HIPAA

 

·         There are new provisions requiring NFs (and requiring NOCs to require NFs) to have disciplinary measures in place for athlete support personnel who use banned substances (this would apply even where the athlete support personnel is not himself or herself directly subject to the Code). 

 

 
 A copy of the final draft of the Code and redline comparison to the current (2009) Code can be found on the WADA website by following this link: http://www.wada-ama.org/en/World-Anti-Doping-Program/Sports-and-Anti-Doping-Organizations/The-Code/Code-Review/Code-Version-4-0.  Once an official copy of the adopted 2015 Code is posted on the WADA website, I will circulate that link as well.
 
There has been widespread support for the new Code changes, and strong belief that they are necessary to support the critical fight against doping in sport.  We look forward to working with you to get the word out regarding these changes and the operational effects they may have on the Olympic Movement.
 
Regards,

USOC General Counsel, Rana Dershowitz