The Executive Committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) held a meeting in September where several important measures to strengthen the global anti-doping system were approved. One of the key aspects was the approval of the 2025 Prohibited List, which will come into force on 1 January 2025. This list designates the substances and methods prohibited under the World Anti-Doping Code and aims to keep up to date with scientific developments.
-> Read the WADA 2025 prohibited list
The committee also approved the composition of the Monitoring Programme, which includes substances that are not prohibited, but which WADA wishes to monitor for possible patterns of misuse in sport. Modifications to the list and programme will be published by 1 October 2024.
On athlete participation, the Committee received a report from Ryan Pini, chair of the WADA Athletes’ Council, who highlighted several important initiatives. These include support for the Athlete Anti-Doping Advocacy Programme and the Initial Human Rights Impact Assessment, both of which aim to improve athletes’ experience of the anti-doping system.
The Anti-Doping Advocacy Programme, led by Anna Thorstenson, was approved to continue after a successful pilot period. This programme provides athletes with an independent source of guidance and support on anti-doping issues, helping to strengthen athletes’ confidence in the system.
In the area of scientific research, funding was approved for 14 projects selected for funding in 2024, aimed at improving doping detection and advancing the fight against the use of prohibited substances in sport. Details of these projects will be published in the coming months.
SHANGHAI AND CASABLANCA LABORATORIES
In terms of laboratories, the Shanghai Anti-Doping Laboratory was authorised to conduct blood testing for the Athlete Biological Passport, and the Mohammed VI laboratory in Casablanca, Morocco, was granted candidate status and will now work to meet the technical requirements.
Version 10.0 of the Technical Document for Sport Specific Analysis was approved and will enter into force on 1 January 2025. This update aims to improve the standards for the detection of prohibited substances in specific sports.
Finally, the Committee discussed WADA’s Strategic Plan 2025-2029, which is under development, and rescheduled its next meeting for December 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
