WADA Agrees On Reforms To Improve Athletes' Representation

WADA illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) approved reforms designed to give athletes more representation in the decision-making process.

This change includes the name from the original WADA Athlete Commission to the WADA Athletes Council. Its membership has also grown from 12 to 20 athletes, including five appointed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

Eight athletes will be selected by the International Federation of Athletes Commission, while the other seven will be selected by an appointment panel consisting of a majority of athletes.

This marks a significant change to the composition of the current WADA Athletes Committee, whose members are appointed by the organization itself. The move comes after athletes from a number of sports around the world said they were not adequately represented at the institution.

"It is great that all stakeholders support this movement and the world's governments fully support this governance reform," WADA President Witold Banka said at a press conference following the meeting in Paris.

In addition, an independent Ethics Council will also be established, while a pilot project for an athlete ombudsman, which will provide free advice to athletes on anti-doping issues, will also be implemented.

The final report on the reforms will be presented at the next Foundation Board meeting in Cairo in May 2022.