The World Anti-Doping Agency held its 15th Annual Symposium in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne, Switzerland. Over 70 athletes and athlete representatives gathered together on the 13th and 14th of March under the theme “Towards 2021 – Navigating the Future Together”.

A critical review of the World Anti-Doping Code and its International Standards was the major theme of this year’s Symposium. Approximately 900 delegates from the global anti-doping community including athlete representatives, International Sports Federations, government representatives, National and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations, Major Event Organizers, WADA-accredited laboratories, Athlete Passport Management Units and other stakeholders engaged in presentations, interviews, panel discussions, practical workshops and networking sessions.
Key speakers of the Symposium included WADA’s Athlete Committee members Beckie Scott (Chair) and Ben Sandford, WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie, and WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli. WADA’s Athlete Committee gave an update on the progress of the development of the Anti-Doping Charter of Athlete Rights. WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie, who presented his keynote address entitled “Unity will be our Strength”, reflected on the Russian doping scandal and the progress made since the Russian Anti-Doping Agency’s reinstatement in 2018. WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli, reviewed WADA’s strategic priorities which included harmonizing the Code Rules for 2021, a review of the International Standards, increase in scientific and social research, enhancing education and the overhaul of WADA’s Anti-Doping Administrative and Management System (ADAMS).
IFMA representatives, IFMA Champion, Myriame Djedidi, from France and Zhuldyz Baimangambet, IFMA Lausanne Branch Manager from Kazakhstan will provide a full report of their experience at the 2019 Annual Symposium next week. Stay tuned!