Tunde Oladele (17/11/2007)

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), at the end of its 3rd World Conference on Doping in Sport, has concluded with national governments and organisations to intensify the global fight against doping in sport and to toughen the sanctions against first time offenders.

Delegates at the Madrid World Conference, from November 15 - 17, 2007, adopted a resolution in which they renewed their joint commitment to a rigorous fight against doping in sport and approved the strengthening of the World Anti-Doping Code.

The Board also selected former Australian Finance Minister,John Fahey, to serve as its next President and Chairman of WADA's Health, Medical and Research Committee, Prof Arne Ljungqvist from Sweden, as its next Vice President on a three-year term to begin on January 1, 2008.

Outgoing President Richard W. Pound  described the conference and the resolution adopted as marking "a major milestone in the fight against doping".

Madrid Resolution

More than 1,500 representatives of public authorities, the Sport Movement, the anti-doping community, athletes, observers, and the media convened at the Conference, organized by WADA with the support of the Spanish High Council for Sport, to review the major advances that have been made in the fight against doping since WADA's inception in late 1999, and what strategies will be needed in the future.

WADA President Richard Pound said: "The Third World Conference on Doping in Sport and the adoption of the Madrid Resolution mark a major milestone in the fight against doping.

"Governments and the Sport Movement have committed to taking their anti-doping efforts to the next level by leveraging their experience with the Code since 2003 and endorsing refinements to strengthen it.

"Everyone with an interest in ethical sport and the health of athletes has had the opportunity to contribute to the strengthening of the Code."

"It was important for us to hear from everyone and to ensure a wholly transparent and consultative process, and I congratulate all stakeholders who have played their part," he added.

Revised Code

The World Conference also endorsed the Revised World Anti-Doping Code (Code), initially adpoted in 2003, in a move to advance anti-doping harmonization and programmes worldwide.

In a meeting held prior to the World Conference's adoption of the Madrid Resolution, the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) unanimously approved the revisions to enhance the Code.

WADA launched a process to refine the Code's provisions and strengthen worldwide anti-doping programs in April 2006. Consultations extended over 18 months and involved 3 rounds of review with 3 successive draft revisions of the Code distributed to all stakeholders for feedback.

In addition, WADA sought input from various stakeholder groups and the public, which included initiating 40 individual meetings and 70 presentations.

Sports and Governments are expected to implement the revisions to the Code by 1 January 2009.

Click here for the Madrid Resolution.