WADA’s duty is to monitor anti-doping activities worldwide to ensure proper implementation of and compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), the document harmonizing anti-doping rules in all sports and all countries, by International Sports Federations (IFs) and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs).

WADA’s role is therefore at a very high level.

No. WADA is never involved in the individual results management of adverse analytical findings. (An adverse analytical finding is the result of the analysis of a doping control sample that shows the presence of a prohibited substance or method.)

That is the responsibility of the NADO and/or Sports Federation involved in the particular case.

For every adverse analytical finding, WADA receives a certificate of analysis from the WADA accredited laboratory. These certificates of analysis do not include the name of the athlete involved, since all samples analyzed by laboratories are anonymized and identified only by a code number.

Laboratory notifications help WADA follow up with the Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) involved to ensure that its result management of the case properly follows the established rules and processes and is in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The procedures for results management vary slightly among ADOs (within the framework of articles 7 and 8 of the Code), including when to notify WADA of doping cases and sanctions as well as when and how to make public disclosure of anti-doping rule violations.

The Code (Art. 14.1) specifies that “(…) The athlete’s National Anti-Doping Organization and International Federation and WADA shall also be notified not later than the completion of the process described inArticles 7.1 (Initial Review Regarding Adverse Analytical Findings) through 7.4 (Review of other anti-doping rule violations).

Notification shall include: the athlete’s name, country, sport and discipline within the sport, the athlete's competitive level, whether the test was in-competition or out-of-competition, the date of sample collection and the analytical result reported by the laboratory. The same persons and Anti-Doping Organizations shall be regularly updated on the status and findings of any review (…)”

WADA is not involved in the disciplinary process until after the results management and sanctioning of the athlete are completed by the NADO/IF. This includes any internal appeal or review of a national decision by its IF.

WADA’s role is to assess the sanctioning process followed by the relevant ADO following the completion of the process. Should WADA have any concerns about the process or the result, WADA may exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). WADA has a right of appeal to CAS for cases under the jurisdiction of organizations that have implemented the Code.

No. It is not part of WADA’s responsibilities or mission to announce the adverse analytical findings of athletes; that is the role of the organization in charge of results management of a particular doping case. WADA does not even know the name of the athlete involved until such information is communicated by the ADO in charge of results management, or publicly announced by the athlete or his/her entourage.

The Code (Art. 14.2) states that “(…) No later than twenty days after it has been determined in a hearing that an anti-doping rule violation has occurred, or such hearing has been waived, or the assertion of an anti-doping rule violation has not been timely challenged, the Anti-Doping Organization responsible for results management must publicly report the disposition of the anti-doping matter.”

Once the relevant ADO has completed its adjudication of a particular doping case, WADA reviews the decision and, if the Agency is of a view that the decision might not comply with the World Anti-Doping Code, the Agency considers whether to exercise its right of appeal to CAS.