The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken a crucial step in the fight against doping by approving the Anti-Doping Rules that will govern the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. These rules were developed with the support of the International Testing Agency (ITA) and have been endorsed by the IOC Legal Affairs Commission and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The decision was made during a meeting held in Costa Navarino, Greece, as part of the preparations for the 144th IOC Session, scheduled from March 19 to 21.

Since 2019, the IOC has delegated the responsibility of organizing and managing anti-doping controls during the Olympic Games to the ITA. This approach aims to ensure a transparent and effective process aligned with international regulations. The approved rules cover everything from the definition of doping to sample analysis procedures, results management, and applicable sanctions, ensuring a robust framework to combat this issue in sports.

NEW ANTI-DOPING RULES

The regulations approved for Milano Cortina 2026 and Dakar 2026 reflect the IOC’s commitment to clean sport. These rules will not only apply to athletes but also to their support staff, international federations, and national Olympic committees involved in both events. Additionally, they establish clear procedures for detecting and sanctioning violations related to prohibited substances or illegal methods, including rigorous testing before and during competitions.

The delegation to the ITA includes tasks such as test distribution planning, therapeutic use exemption (TUE) management, and results handling. While this agency operates on behalf of the IOC, the latter remains responsible for compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code. With these measures, the IOC aims to strengthen trust in anti-doping processes and ensure that the values of sport prevail in such significant events as the Olympic Games.