Commenting on the emergency anti-doping summit at the White House in the United States yesterday, the University’s Dr James Hopker, an expert on exercise training says it ‘signals a step change in efforts to force reform with the World Anti-Doping Agency Executive seemingly at a crossroads.
‘Since the Russian doping crisis, public confidence in the international anti-doping movement has rapidly declined. There is growing distrust in the ability of the anti-doping movement’s ability to take decisive action on drugs cheats and rogue organisations. Much of this criticism has been directed towards the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and its perceived lack of independence and transparency.
‘Whilst WADA has acknowledged that its current governance structure could be improved, athletes and national anti-doping agencies feel that current proposals fall well short of what is required.
‘Yesterday’s meeting of athlete representatives, national anti-doping organisations and some government officials, with the US Office of National Drug Control Policy at the White House in the “White House 4 Clean Sport Summit”, signals a step change in efforts to force WADA’s hand in terms of reform.
‘Specifically, WADA are accused of failing clean athletes and being soft on Russian doping, as well as bullying and disheartening those who complain and argue for reform. Complicating the situation are the political links between WADA and the International Olympic Committee, as half of WADA’s funding is reported to be provided by the IOC. The IOC are widely believed to be the driving force behind WADA’s decision to lift the suspension on the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, despite two of the conditions for readmission having not been met.
‘Athletes and National Anti-Doping organisations state that they are fighting back against the voices from WADA and the IOC that tell them to conform, and are rightly demanding a genuine say in the running of sport.
‘The White House 4 Clean Sport Summit has undoubtedly increased the pressure on the WADA Executive Board to consider reform. Governments have also begun to join athletes in the call by asking whether they are getting a return on their investment in WADA. The US Government is reported to provide a $4.5m annual contribution to the WADA budget (annually $34m).
‘If WADA is to regain the confidence of athletes, national anti-doping organisations, and the wider public in its anti-doping efforts, it must listen and take decisive action.
‘However, significant reform is likely to require WADA cutting political ties with the IOC. If the IOC’s financial support of WADA is withdrawn it will have a significant implications for future funding of the organisation.
‘The WADA Executive therefore seem to be at a crossroads;
- reform the organisation to become a truly independent, accountable and transparent, and risk alienating its largest funder
- or continue down the current path and potentially increase the already seemingly bitter relationship with athletes, governments and national anti-doping agencies.
Both sides are a long way apart and relationships are likely to get worse before they get better.
Dr James Hopker is a Reader in the University of Kent’s School of Sport and Exercise Sciences. His current research is concerned with the optimisation of the exercise training process. He has published studies involving the role of the brain, neuromuscular system, and muscle physiology in endurance performance.
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