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WADA Independent Ethics Board

WADA Independent Ethics Board

Go to WADA Ethics Reporting Platform

About Us

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    Role of the Independent Ethics Board

    The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded by the Sports Movement and governments of the world. WADA Officials are expected to observe the highest ethical standards and avoid improper influences or conflicts of interest that would undermine their ability to act in the best interest of WADA.

    In 2018 WADA’s Foundation Board approved wide-ranging governance reforms, and in 2021 approved a Code of Ethics, recognising the importance of ensuring these high standards and establishing clear ethical standards over the activities of WADA Officials (as defined in the WADA Code of Ethics). These reforms included the creation of an Independent Ethics Board (IEB) and an Ethics Officer position, both charged with the responsibility of implementing the WADA Code of Ethics.

Functions and Powers

The IEB is considered a corporate body of WADA, but operates independently from WADA’s other bodies, such as its Foundation Board and the Executive Committee. WADA Governance Structure can be found here.

The IEB performs its duties as stated in the WADA Code of Ethics, and has power to communicate directly with any Official or body within WADA.

The IEB has power to appoint the Ethics Officer and may submit complaints to the Ethics Officer for investigation. The IEB considers the results of investigations by the Ethics Officer regarding complaints, denunciations, allegations or suspicions of breaches of the ethical principles of WADA and the WADA Code of Ethics. An IEB-appointed panel forms judgement on whether matters involve a breach, can impose a range of measures and sanctions, and communicates such decisions to the WADA President, to the complainant, and to the Official subject of the investigation.

The IEB also has power to decide whether a matter should be referred to a relevant criminal authority.

Deliberations of the IEB remain confidential.

IEB Members

The IEB consists of nine persons, including its Chair. Appointment to, and removal from, the IEB is decided by the WADA Foundation Board. Two IEB Members are appointed by the Public Authorities and the Olympic Movement. Members appointed by the Public Authorities and Olympic Movement may not be appointed to the position of Chair or Vice-Chair. The seven other IEB Members must meet the strictest of WADA’s independence requirements on appointment and throughout the entire term of their office.

Appointments to the IEB are for a term of three years and Members may be reappointed for two further terms of three years, provided that they continue to meet the relevant eligibility criteria. A Member may not serve for more than nine years in total.

The IEB meets as required by the Chair, and shall provide periodic reports on its activities, at a minimum of twice a year, to the President of WADA who will share the reports with the Foundation Board and the Executive Committee.

 

The current members of the IEB are:

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    Prof. Mette Hartlev

    Denmark – Independent Chair
  • Mary Ang’awa

    Hon. Mary Ang’awa

    Kenya – Independent Vice-Chair
  • Pascal Borry

    Prof. Pascal Borry

    Belgium – Independent Member
  • Phil Hutchinson

    Mr. Phil Hutchinson

    United Kingdom – Independent Member
  • Ms. Emma Johnson OLY

    Australia – Independent Member
  • Regina LaBelle

    Ms. Regina LaBelle

    USA – Public Authorities Nominee
  • Rožle Prezelj

    Dr. Rožle Prezelj OLY

    Slovenia – Independent Member
  • Marc Theisen

    Mr. Marc Theisen

    Luxembourg – Olympic Movement Nominee
  • Ana Tuiketei

    Ms. Ana Tuiketei

    Fiji - Independent Member

WADA Code of Ethics

WADA Officials must comply with all applicable laws and regulations and respect the WADA ethical principles. Officials must conduct themselves honestly, fairly, and impartially, and act in accordance with the principles of integrity and transparency. Officials must also act with objectivity, and independence when making decisions.

The WADA Code of Ethics identifies a list of ethical standards and conducts which include, but are not limited to:

  • Avoiding bias, prejudice, and conflicts of interest
  • Respecting human dignity
  • Rejecting and refraining from discrimination, harassment, bullying and abuse
  • Refraining from offering or accepting a bribe, payment, commission, gift, or other inducement or undue incentive (whether monetary or otherwise) in order to unduly influence any action, conduct, omission, or decision in connection with any matter relating to, or involving, WADA
  • Refraining from behaviour which would bring, or risk bringing, WADA into disrepute

The fundamental principles of the WADA Code of Ethics are detailed in Section 3 thereof. Among other duties, Officials must report immediately to the Ethics Officer (i) any approach or invitation to engage in any conduct that might amount to a breach of the WADA Code of Ethics and (ii) any information that may constitute a potential breach of the WADA Code of Ethics.

WADA Code of Ethics

The Ethics Officer

The Ethics Officer is appointed, and subject to removal, by the IEB. The IEB conducts the appointment process in collaboration with the WADA Nominations Committee, including the interview and vetting of candidates.

The Ethics Officer is appointed for a three-year, renewable term. The reappointment is limited to two additional three-year terms and the Ethics Officer cannot serve more than nine years in total.

The Ethics Officer:

  • Acts independently of WADA and reports directly to the Chair of the IEB.
  • Performs their duties as assigned by the WADA Code of Ethics, and whenever a case is referred to them and/or when instructed by the IEB, but not ex-officio.
  • Upon receiving a complaint, analyses the jurisdiction of the IEB based on the scope of application of the WADA Code of Ethics; decides what measures are required to protect the identity of the complainant; and conducts relevant investigations. Investigations may include analyzing documents, files and other hardcopy and electronic information, requesting the provision of such information, conducting interviews, and obtaining relevant expert reports. At the conclusion of the investigation, the Ethics Officer will provide a detailed written report to the Chair of the IEB.

Mr. Gautier Aubert

The inaugural Ethics Officer, Mr. Gautier Aubert, was appointed by the IEB in early 2023 and is a Swiss Attorney-at-Law with broad experience in the world of sports and sports law. Confidential reports can be made on the WADA Ethics Reporting Platform, a confidential and independent reporting platform managed by the Ethics Officer. You can also submit a report by email to the Ethics Officer at Ethics.Officer@wada-ama.org.

WADA Ethics Reporting Platform Form

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    Mr. Gautier Aubert

    Ethics Officer

Reporting

WADA Publications

Other Resources

Questions and Answers