WADA Proposes Additions to the Anti-Doping Code on Governments Withholding Funds

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has initiated a stakeholder consultation process regarding proposed additions to the World Anti-Doping Code regarding government funding withholding. The changes seek to introduce additional consequences for governments that voluntarily withhold their contribution to WADA’s approved annual budget.  

The proposal results from the concerns cited by previous committee members about the difficulty faced by the organisation in case of a material reduction in contributions. When a government withholds its contribution, the amount is not matched by the Sport Movement, leading to a double impact owing to WADA’s unique funding model. Lower funding means a reduction in operational activities, such as scientific and social science research, education, capacity building, etc.  

The paper presented by the WADA working group in this respect described what voluntary withholding of funding meant and outlined the consequences as well as the process for imposing them. The consequences included limitations on the relevant country bidding for major events, as well as restrictions on its government representatives attending major events and sitting on Code Signatory boards/committees, etc.