September 27/05 11:52 am - WADA Approves the 2006 Prohibited List

Posted by Editoress on 09/27/05
 

WADA Executive Committee Approves the 2006 Prohibited List

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced (last week )that its Executive Committee approved the Prohibited List of Substances and Methods for 2006. View the List Here in pdf format, that will go into effect January 1, 2006.

After significant changes made to the List in 2004 and 2005, the 2006 List is a consolidation list and includes only minor modifications. For example, several stimulants are added to the list of specified substances. Pseudoephedrine and caffeine, to remain on the monitoring program, will be placed under heightened scrutiny for further tracking of trends in use and possible abuse for future List consideration.

A substance or method may be added to the List if it meets two of three criteria: it is performance enhancing, poses a danger to athletes' health, and its use is against the spirit of sport as defined in the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). The List is one of the cornerstones in the fight against doping in sport and is an International Standard adopted by signatories of the Code.

The development of the List is a highly consultative year-long process, beginning with the circulation of a draft List among more than 1,700 stakeholders for comment. WADA's List Committee processed comments received and presented its conclusions to the WADA Health, Medical and Research Committee whose final recommendations were submitted to the Executive Committee. WADA assumed responsibility for the List following implementation of the Code and the International Standards in 2004.

"Refining the List is a key responsibility in WADA's work to rid sports of doping," said Richard W. Pound, WADA's president. "It's an elaborate process, involving the solicitation of input from all of our stakeholders so that changes are founded on expanding scientific knowledge and understanding of doping practices. WADA received comment from more than 50 organizations this yearËœthat's more than double last year's comments. This is a good sign that, more and more, stakeholders are organizing themselves and contributing to the development and outcome of the List. "

Code Compliance

The Executive Committee discussed FIFA's disciplinary rules. At its last meeting on May 15, 2005, WADA's Executive Committee expressed concern that although FIFA, at its 2004 Congress unanimously adopted the World Anti-Doping Code, its internal disciplinary rules did not fully comply with the Code, and the Committee wished to work with FIFA to ensure that the changes could be implemented. WADA reported to the Executive Committee that many of the recommended changes for compliance have been made, notably the addition of WADA's right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in all football doping cases, international and national. At the same time, some questions remain about other provisions, and the Executive Committee agreed to suspend any definitive pronouncement of non-compliance to allow for an advisory opinion to be obtained from CAS.

"Both WADA and FIFA are working in good faith to achieve Code compliance and to advance the fight against doping in sport," said Pound. "We will suspend any final judgment of non-compliance until we receive and study an independent opinion from CAS."

Budget

The Executive Committee also discussed the 2006 draft budget. The proposed budget calls for a minor increase of three percent, bringing the 2006 annual budget to US$ 23.8 million. The budget will be approved by WADA's Foundation Board at its November meeting.

WADA's budget and government contributions in 2005 were also discussed. WADA has received more than 77 percent of its 2005 budget to date from governments and the IOC, and anticipates the final contributions this year to be similar to the 95 percent collected in 2004.

"We are very pleased by our healthy relationship with stakeholders, demonstrated by their timely fulfillment of financial commitments to WADA," said WADA Director General David Howman. "This is an important factor in WADA's ability to implement initiatives critical to ridding sport of doping on a worldwide level. We have collected more money to date this year from our stakeholders than before, and it shows that governments and the sports movement are committed to advancing the fight against doping in sport."

UNESCO Convention Against Doping in Sport

WADA reported that there are now 179 signatories to the Copenhagen Declaration, the political document signed by governments to indicate their commitment to WADA and its mission.

"It is anticipated that those nations that have signed the Copenhagen Declaration will also adopt the UNESCO Convention Against Doping in Sport in October, allowing them to formally adopt the Code as the basis in their countries for the fight against doping in sport," said Howman. "This gives the governments of the world an essential tool to implement anti-doping policy that is consistent with the worldwide consensus set forth in Code."

Research

WADA will commit a record US$ 6.5 million to scientific research in 2005. The Committee considered more than 60 proposed and peer-reviewed research projects from all five continents and agreed to fund 22 projects. This brings WADA's total scientific research commitment to approximately US$ 21 million since 2001, attesting to WADA's leadership role in worldwide efforts to detect new doping methods.

Recognizing the comprehensive approach to the fight against doping in sport, WADA also will commit US$100,000 to social behavioural research to investigate the motivation behind the use of doping.