IFMA, a proud signatory of WADA and partner of ITA, has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for doping. Promoting fair play and clean sport environment, protecting clean athletes and prevention through education are IFMA’s priorities. IFMA stakeholders participated in the May’s session of the monthly webinar series delivered by the International Testing Agency (ITA).

May’s session focused on the legal framework of anti-doping. The current structure and the rules that are in place, including the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), the Principle of Strict Liability and due diligence were reviewed.

Just as importantly, information was provided about what happens in case of an Adverse Analytical Finding, or simply put, a positive test. Some practical aspects of results management were covered, including:

  • What happens when there is a positive test?

  • What resources are available to athletes who commit an ADRV?

  • What is some of the key information that the athletes and their support personnel need to know during this process?

Expert speaker was the ITA Head of Legal Affairs, Dominique Leroux. Dominique was previously the Head of Legal Anti-Doping Services for the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency Independent Observer Mission for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Dominique is a McGill University Law Graduate and a member of the New York State Bar Association.

Joining Dominique was guest athlete Andréanne Morin. Andréanne is a three-time Canadian Olympian and a silver Olympic medallist in rowing. She is a former WADA Athlete Committee Member and currently sits on the WADA Ethics Committee. Andréanne was also the Ombudsperson for the Canadian Olympic Team at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games. Andréanne is a Université of Montréal Law Faculty graduate and has obtained her Quebec and Paris Bar.

The webinar was delivered in English with simultaneous translation to four additional languages – Arabic (العربي), Spanish (español), French (français) and Russian (русский).

All the ITA webinar sessions can be viewed here: https://muaythai.sport/ita-anti-doping-education-webinars/