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WADA Compliance Review Committee convenes for final meeting of year

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The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) met in person in Montreal, Canada, on 15 and 16 October 2024. The CRC also held an in-camera session on 14 October to prepare, review and discuss documentation received. 

This was the CRC’s final meeting in 2024, with the members discussing a range of important issues related to WADA’s World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Compliance Monitoring Program.  

It marked the final meeting of two of its founding members, Barbara Leishman (Vice-Chair and independent member) and Tom Dielen (representing the Sport Movement), who have reached the end of their terms as CRC members. Both Ms. Leishman and Mr. Dielen have served the CRC since its inception in 2015.  

Chair of the CRC, Henry Goudji, said: “It has been a privilege and an honour to work alongside Barbara and Tom for the past nine years. They have brought knowledge, expertise and dedication to a committee that has established itself as an important bridge between WADA management and its Executive Committee. They will both be dearly missed, but we look forward to welcoming new members in 2025.”  

WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli, said: “I would like to personally thank Barbara and Tom for their service, guidance and professionalism in establishing the Compliance Review Committee as a credible and integral part of our governance structure, specifically with regards to holding our Code Signatories accountable for implementing the Code and International Standards. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.”  

During the meeting, the CRC discussed a number of subjects, including: 

  • A new case of a Signatory meeting the criteria to be watchlisted, which will be presented to the WADA Executive Committee on 4 December; 
  • An update on: 
    • Signatories currently on the watchlist, including the National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) of Namibia, Samoa, Pakistan, Panama, Senegal, Uganda and Uruguay. 
    • Current non-compliant Signatories, namely the Cameroon NADO, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), the International Federation of Basque Pelota and the International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding; 
    • Signatories whose cases have been referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), namely RUSADA (in relation to additional consequences and conditions of reinstatement), as well as the NADOs of South Africa, Nigeria and Venezuela. 
  • An update on the 2024 compliance annual plan; 
  • Approval of the 2025 compliance audit plan, including the Signatories to be audited in 2025; and 
  • A brainstorm session on the evaluation of the Compliance Monitoring Program. 

The CRC also approved updates to the Compliance Strategy, which has now been published on the WADA website. 

The CRC is responsible for providing independent advice, guidance and recommendations to WADA Management and governing bodies on matters relating to Signatories' compliance with the Code. Mr. Gourdji will report to the next Executive Committee meeting on 4 December and Foundation Board on 5 December.