Context:
India has emerged as the country with the highest percentage of doping offenders, according to the 2022 testing figures released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
About World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
Establishment and Purpose
- Founded in 1999 as an independent international agency.
- Aims to spearhead a global movement promoting doping-free sports.
Governance and Funding
- Operates on an equal partnership model between the global sports movement and governments.
Primary Role
- Develops, harmonizes, and coordinates anti-doping rules and policies globally across sports and countries.
Key Activities
- Conducts scientific research.
- Offers education initiatives.
- Develops anti-doping capacities.
- Monitors the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), which standardizes anti-doping policies worldwide.
Formation Background
- Triggered by doping scandals in cycling in 1998.
- The International Olympic Committee (IOC) convened the First World Conference on Doping in Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland, from February 2-4, 1999.
- This conference led to the Lausanne Declaration on Doping in Sport, which paved the way for WADA’s creation.
- WADA was officially established on November 10, 1999, in Lausanne, in preparation for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Legal Structure and Location
- Operates as a Swiss private law, not-for-profit foundation.
- Headquarters located in Montreal, Canada, with its seat in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Governance Structure
- Foundation Board (Board):
- Comprises 42 members.
- Represents the Olympic Movement (IOC, National Olympic Committees, International Sports Federations, and athletes) and government representatives from five continents.
- Executive Committee (ExCo):
- Consists of 16 members.
- Responsible for the management, activities, and asset administration of WADA, acting on behalf of the Board.
-Source: Business Standards
