WADA hosted 12th Anti-Doping Organization Symposium focused on protecting the clean athlete

16-18 March 2016 the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) held the 12th Anti-Doping Organisation Symposium in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Event hosted a record number of 500 delegates from around the world.

The ICSD as a signatory of the WADA Code was represented by ICSD CEO Mr. Dmitry Rebrov, Advisor to ICSD President Ms. Xenia Morfopoulos and ICSD Doping Control Officer Mr. Artem Buerov.

“WADA is pleased to be able to bring like-minded individuals together under one roof for three days, with the common pursuit of protecting the rights of the clean athlete,” said WADA Director General, David Howman.

With a clear focus on protecting the clean athlete, participants gathered to discuss the enhanced Code rules that are now being practiced by 665 organisations around the world.
“The ideas being discussed here this week will form the cornerstones of each and every anti-doping program in this new chapter for doping-free sport. From the importance of athletes "speaking up" to the role that the media can play in exposing doping behavior, this year"s Symposium is tackling numerous aspects of the fight against doping in sport and highlighting all that the revised Code has to offer clean athletes of the world,” added Howman.

Athletes were central to this year"s Symposium. Notably, the WADA Athlete Committee participated in a high-level Breaking the Code of Silence panel that discussed how athletes can play an active part in solving the doping issue.
The first day of the Symposium included in particular sessions relating to the implementation of the revised Code; stronger sanctions, and the influence of the athlete entourage.

Days two and three of the Symposium covered themes such as education; anti-doping science; intelligent testing; the Athlete Biological Passport; information sharing and investigations; ADO-laboratory relationships and ADO-ADO partnerships - all of which are considered crucial to the future of the anti-doping movement.

The Symposium offered an excellent platform for sharing expertise in various areas and the world deaf sports will see another year with an intelligent dedicated anti-doping program ahead to continue its efforts in protecting clean athletes and the integrity of sports.