UK Sport has highlighted the challenges faced by team sports as an area requiring particular work in its submission to the first consultation stage on the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. Other key themes emerging include the desire for more athlete involvement in the revision of the Code, and the need for clarity in terms of the testing of national and international level competitors.
UK Sport’s submission was drafted following widespread consultation amongst the UK sporting community, with governing bodies and key partners encouraged to put their views across. The result is a submission which encapsulates the UK’s views on the areas of the Code and International Standards where there was widespread agreement, along with notes attributed to sports which put forward thoughts felt to be of value during the review process.
John Scott, UK Sport’s Director of Drug-Free Sport, said: "We had a good response to the consultation which allowed us to produce a thorough submission which I hope will be of value to the World Anti-Doping Agency as it commences with the difficult task of re-drafting the Code and Standards. The overall feedback we had we that the Code has been widely embraced by sport in the UK and as the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) we have certainly felt its positive impact on our ability to impose strong, consistent and fair anti-doping rules and regulations.
"There are clearly certain areas in which improvements can be made and I’m delighted WADA is taking the opportunity to take stock of the situation. I have no doubts that by the end of the consultation in November 2007 we will be left with a Code and Standards which further strengthen the ability of UK Sport and its fellow NADOs to tackle the issue of doping in sport at a national and international level."
Sports Minister Richard Caborn provided the foreword for the submission in which he highlighted the five areas he sees as key during the review process:
- A review of the principles which underpin the Prohibited List, particularly with regards to the inclusion of recreational drugs on the List
- Clearer advice on the balance between in- and out-of-competition testing
- Supplements, and whether more can be done to assist athletes in making informed decisions about their use
- Strengthening the requirements on education and information provision to athletes and support staff
- Tackling the current divergence in the degree of compliance with the Code around the world.
Comments received from the global sporting community are now being reviewed by WADA ahead of a re-draft being produced at the end of the year. This will be open to consultation from January to March when a final version will be drafted for the remaining period of consultation in June and July 2007. UK Sport will continue to seek the input of its key stakeholders during each phase of the consultation process. A final version of the revised Code and Standards will be sent to stakeholders ahead of World Conference on Doping in Sport in November 2007, where a new Code will be tabled for acceptance.