Athlete Groups’ Open Letter to WADA
24 June 2024
Witold Bańka
President
World Anti-Doping Agency
Dear Mr. Bańka,
Allegations of doping TMZ coverups of 23 Chinese swimmers and the lack of action/transparency by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and World Aquatics have left athletes with little trust in the global anti-doping system.
For over a month, questions have been posed to WADA regarding both the agency’s actions prior to the allegations becoming public and the reactions since. Instead of transparently addressing these questions directly, WADA has remained steadfast in their narrative which has provided no clarity on the matter. The agency has evaded and rebuked criticism over the handling of the case – this ostrich-effect attitude of avoidance suggests that WADA’s approach to errors is closed-minded and limited in its willingness to utilise such errors as a tool for improvement. Additionally, WADA has continually deflected responsibility to the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA), evading its own accountability as the global regulator, and has made threats of lawsuits aimed at anyone brave enough to speak out.
In light of this, and for athletes to gain trust in WADA, we formally request that the following actions be immediately carried out:
Release of the CHINADA report explaining why 23 athletes who tested positive were never provisionally suspended (names of athletes can be redacted).
Release internal email and text exchanges that led WADA and World Aquatics to make the decision not to appeal these cases. Some National Anti-Doping Organizations have taken on the power to seize athletes’ phones and text messages. If NADOs have this power permitted under the Code, the same standard must apply to WADA and, thus we request these correspondences to be released.
Release any additional reports that are related to this alleged coverup including those from partner organizations.
Expand the terms of reference on WADA’s current quasi-limited in-scope investigation. This must include the release of all information as outlined in points 1,2 and 3 above.
Appoint a truly independent multi-disciplinary investigation team with the approval and sign-off from external athlete groups.
Draw the right conclusions and learnings for the future to strengthen procedures in the anti-doping fight so that similar non-moving forward cases are not so easily repeated and thus, clean athletes can regain confidence in the effectiveness of the anti-doping system.
The above-requested actions are not ours in silo but are shared strongly across the sporting world and within governments. We believe the calls for WADA to take genuine and transparent action will not cease until these requests are adhered to. Athletes, athlete advocacy organizations and governments are invested in getting true clarity and remedy on this case, and should this fail under WADA, lobbying for an alternative anti-doping system will mount.
The World Anti-Doping Code places a substantial burden on athletes. Under the current Code, strict liability and the burden of proof always rests with the athletes. It is for this key reason that our organizations, and numerous athletes, have lost trust in WADA and World Aquatics – the same standard was not applied to these 23 Chinese swimmers nor has WADA and World Aquatics leveraged their responsibilities under the Code including appealing to CAS. This double standard is eroding athletes’ trust and confidence in the anti-doping system and leaving many concerned over an integral element of elite competition – an even and clean playing field.
For WADA to effectively fulfil the role of a truly independent global regulator, governance reforms to strengthen WADA’s independence, accountability and transparency are paramount. This includes the Executive Committee becoming completely independent of sport and public authorities and the Foundation Board adding additional stakeholders such as independent athlete representatives and NADOs.
If these requests are actioned in a timely manner, we believe that fair and ethical conclusions will be drawn along with important learnings for the future – all of which will strengthen the procedures in the anti-doping fight and reinstall confidence in clean athletes of the effectiveness of the anti-doping system.
We look forward to your timely response.
Sincerely,
Athlete Groups:
Athleten Deutschland e.V.
Athletics Association
Pentathlon United
Global Athlete
Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation
Athletes:
Matt Biondi OLY, Former Director Swimmers Association
Vladyslav Heraskevych OLY, Ukraine, Skeleton
Athletes and athlete groups can add their names or organizations to the list by emailing hello@globalathlete.org