Cheating To Win

Doping & the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)

The session examines WADA’s origins, governance structure, and global authority, alongside the evolution of the World Anti-Doping Code, including strict liability, athlete rights protections, whistleblower safeguards, and recent Code revisions.

Core Theme

An in-depth examination of WADA’s role in safeguarding sport integrity, including:

• Its governance model

• Enforcement mechanisms

• Ongoing controversies

• The tension between athlete rights and global consistency

Key Topics (Part 1)

1. Creation & Governance of WADA

• Origins following the Festina scandal

• Joint IOC–government structure

• Foundation Board and Executive Committee roles

2. The World Anti-Doping Code

• Scope and purpose

• International Standards

• Strict liability principle

• 2021 revisions:

  • Athletes’ Rights Act

  • Whistleblower protections

  • Substances of Abuse framework

3. Major Scandals & Investigations

• Russia’s state-sponsored doping program (McLaren Report, 2015–16)

• Sun Yang case (CAS, 2019)

• Chinese swimmers’ Trimetazidine positives (2021)

• Kamila Valieva case (2022) – athlete protection and minors

4. Current Challenges

• Inconsistent sanctions across jurisdictions

• Accountability beyond athletes (coaches, staff, federations)

• Transparency and public confidence

• Governance reform and athlete representation

PART 2: CHEATING TO WIN

Focus: Effectiveness, Controversies & Reform\

Core Theme

A critical assessment of whether the global anti-doping system is achieving its mission, focusing on:

• Legitimacy of WADA and CAS

• Athlete protection vs. enforcement strength

• Legal tools and whistleblower impact

• Structural and governance reform

Key Topics (Part 2)

1. Historical Evolution of Anti-Doping

• Ben Johnson / Dubin Commission

• Armstrong / Landis

• Russia / Sochi

• Rio 2016

2. CAS Jurisprudence

• Consistency vs. fragmentation in decisions

• Predictability and fairness of sanctions

3. Recent Controversial Cases

• Halep and Sharapova

• Chinese swimmers

• World Aquatics governance concerns

4. WADA’s Effectiveness

• Rapid institutional growth

• Funding and expertise challenges

• Success vs. systemic failure debate

5. Whistleblowers

• Protection and incentives

• Lessons from Rodchenkov and Landis

• Cultural and legal barriers

6. Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act

• Extraterritorial enforcement

• Impact on international cooperation

• Legal and political implications

7. Future Reforms

• Transparency and accountability

• Role of the International Testing Agency (ITA)

• Restoring trust in global sport integrity systems