Athlete Advocacy Groups Speak With One Voice In WADA Reform Process
Athlete Advocacy groups have joined forces for their contribution to the reform process of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in order to speak with one voice and send a clear message from those they represent.
The joint effort is being led by athlete advocacy groups The Athletics Association, the Athlete Commissions of the Danish, Dutch and Norwegian Olympic Committees and Global Athlete. Their calls for WADA reform have focused on independence, transparency, accountability and “the entire anti-doping movement” adhere to human rights.
The coalition for athlete advocacy noted in a statement today:
To further enhance the rights of athletes to an effective and fair system of justice, we are also calling on the separation of power between the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of WADA and the anti-doping system. This must include a review of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
A chart, see links below, sets out the reforms athletes advocacy groups and those they represent would like to see at WADA, there at the top-right hand corner the big missing link in the Olympic Movement in general, FINA included: an Independent Ethics Unit. Here, for example, are ten issues that an independent integrity unit might care to consider, where those in charge of in-house panels have not.
The Athlete Advocacy Group Statement In Full:
Athletes welcome the opportunity provided by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to be a part of WADA’s efforts toward further structural reforms.
The reforms submitted to WADA by our international group are intended to enhance athletes’ confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency and the global clean sport initiative.
Our submission has focused on increased independence, transparency and accountability as well as the importance of embedding human rights throughout the entire anti-doping movement.
To further enhance the rights of athletes to an effective and fair system of justice, we are also calling on the separation of power between the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of WADA and the anti-doping system. This must include a review of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
We are pleased that other athletes and athlete groups have also submitted reform proposals to WADA. Athletes want to be part of the solution to ensure WADA and the clean sport movement are working in the best interest to protect their number one stakeholder, the athletes.
Details of the athletes’ submission can be found here.
A chart of our proposed WADA reform structure can be found here.
Abbreviated chart here.
Signed,
The Athletics Association
Denmark NOC Athlete Commission
Netherlands NOC Athlete Commission
Norway NOC Athlete Commission
Global Athlete