The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has recommended that anti-doping testing at major international sporting events be conducted by an independent body rather than the National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) of the host country.
The recommendation emerged from an extraordinary meeting of WADA’s Executive Committee held virtually on Tuesday, during which members reviewed a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and credibility of the global anti-doping framework.
A key focus of the discussions was the work of a specially appointed Working Group tasked with examining the structural and operational independence of national anti-doping organisations, as well as the role of governance standards within the anti-doping system.
Among the measures proposed was a new approach for events such as the Olympic and Paralympic Games, continental championships and world championships. Under the recommendation, host-country NADOs would no longer be responsible for areas including test distribution planning, athlete selection for testing, certain sample collection procedures and results management. These responsibilities would instead be assigned to an independent and impartial organisation to eliminate both actual and perceived conflicts of interest.
WADA President Witold Bańka said the move would strengthen confidence in the anti-doping system and help shield major events from allegations of host-country bias.
Despite the proposed changes, national anti-doping bodies would continue to play an important supporting role by providing logistical assistance, coordinating with law enforcement authorities and delivering educational programmes at event venues.
The recommendation is expected to be adopted by WADA but has drawn criticism from some national agencies, particularly the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), whose operational model differs from the approach being proposed. The Working Group’s recommendation, coupled with WADA’s decision not to invite national anti-doping agencies to the meeting, prompted concern from Sara Carter, Director of the United States Office of National Drug Control Policy.
While recognising the need to address procedural and jurisdictional issues, Carter argued that the measures could weaken efforts to protect clean sport. In an open letter addressed to WADA stakeholders ahead of the next Olympic and Paralympic Games, she stressed the importance of strong national anti-doping agencies within the global anti-doping framework and highlighted the United States’ commitment to delivering what she described as the cleanest Games in history.
