World Anti-Doping Agency | 28 Nov 2019
Why in News
Recently, one of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) panels has suggested banning Russia for four years from competing in international events, including the Tokyo (2020 Summer) Olympics.
Key Points
- Over the last few years, Russia has been accused of running a sophisticated doping programme.
- International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Russia’s participation at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
- The Russian Olympic Committee was suspended and barred from attending the event. Only a few Russian athletes were allowed to perform under strict conditions.
- The IOC, WADA and other global federations launched a series of investigations to look into the matter.
World Anti-Doping Agency
- It was established in 1999 as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world.
- Its foundation was initiated by the IOC to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight against drugs in sports.
- It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
- Its key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code – the document harmonizing anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries.
- Integrity, Accountability and Excellence are the core values of the agency.
International Olympic Committee
- It is a not-for-profit independent international organisation that is committed to building a better world through sport.
- It was created on 23 June 1894 and is the supreme authority of the Olympic Movement.
- It ensures the regular celebration of the Olympic Games, supports all affiliated member organisations and strongly encourages, by appropriate means, the promotion of the Olympic values.