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WADA Executive Committee unanimously approves recommendations of the Working Group set up to implement the observations of the Cottier Report concerning the Chinese swimming cases

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This week, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Executive Committee (ExCo) and Foundation Board (Board) are meeting in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where members of the Agency’s principal governing bodies are discussing and taking decisions on a number of matters that are key to strengthening the global anti-doping system.   

Today, the Executive Committee (ExCo) unanimously approved a range of recommendations presented by a Working Group, which was set up by the ExCo in September. The Working Group was tasked with turning the findings of Independent Prosecutor, Eric Cottier, who carried out a review of WADA’s handling of the no-fault contamination cases involving 23 swimmers from China in 2021 and those of the Anti-Doping Audit Review Committee of World Aquatics on the same topic, into concrete recommendations that could be reviewed and approved by the ExCo. 

The Working Group’s recommendations, which can be read in full here, cover the following five areas with established corresponding timelines: 

  1. Results Management Filing System  
  2. WADA Intelligence & Investigations (I&I) Department Triage and Prioritization Framework  
  3. Alarm setup in WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management System [ADAMS] and Results Management Process Review  
  4. World Anti-Doping Code Update Process Issues  
  5. Out-of-competition Testing Independent from National Anti-Doping Organizations and Local Laboratories  

In his review, Mr. Cottier concluded that WADA showed no bias towards China, that its decision not to appeal the cases to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) was reasonable, and that it followed the rules at all times. Through his final report, which was presented to the ExCo in September, Mr. Cottier also made a number of observations as to how anti-doping rules and WADA’s administrative processes could be further strengthened in light of these cases. 

WADA President, Witold Bańka, said: “While the Cottier Report clearly concluded that WADA had appropriately handled the Chinese swimming cases, it was also apparent that these cases presented a real opportunity to make improvements, both to the anti-doping rules and the systems and processes in place that support application of those rules. As such, the Working Group was set up to assess Mr. Cottier’s observations and those of World Aquatics and suggest ways that would help further strengthen the global anti-doping system.”

“We are grateful to the members of the Working Group for the time and effort that they dedicated to this important work. We now look forward to implementing the recommendations, in particular as part of the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards update process that is currently underway in consultation with all stakeholders worldwide. It is vitally important that we now move forward in collaboration for the good of all athletes around the world.” 

The Working Group consisted of the following ExCo members: 

  • One Independent member: Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni (Chair) 
  • The WADA Athlete Council Chair: Ryan Pini 
  • One member from the Public Authorities: Dr. Rahul Gupta  
  • One member from the Sport Movement: Nenad Lalovic 

The Working Group held three virtual meetings and was supported by observers, including subject-matter experts and WADA management.  

Notes to editors:  

  • A further media release will be published tomorrow following the Board meeting, which will outline all the other decisions taken by the ExCo today and the Board tomorrow. 

  • Photos from today's ExCo meeting are available here. These can be reproduced rights free for editorial purposes, with the appropriate credit (WADA).