World Conference on Doping in Sport in Busan

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will hold the World Conference on Doping in Sport, focusing on approving the 2027 update of its Code and Standards.

The Board of Directors has held a pre-meeting to address a number of issues such as decisions such as reducing blood sample supply times and recommendations to the Foundation Board.

The board held an advance meeting to address some issues.

The Executive Committee received a final overview of the International Code and Standards update process, including over 5,000 submissions from stakeholders across all Code and Standards consultations, along with input from approximately 600 athletes from over 60 countries and 70 sports through the Athlete-Centred Consultation Programme, launched in April 2025.

Richard Young, Chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency's Code Drafting Group, was present to answer questions and ensure that members felt ready to recommend the Code to the Council for approval.

“The conference is the result of a multi-year, intensive collaboration between athletes worldwide, the anti-doping community, the Olympic Movement and public authorities. The outcome of this process is not only a new version of the Code and updated International Standards – but also a broad consensus on the direction of clean sport in the coming years, agreed upon,” said WADA Director General Olivier Niggli.

A major change for athletes is coming, as the decision has been made to shorten the waiting time for athletes to provide blood samples for the haematology module of the Athlete Biological Passport after training or competition from two hours to 60 minutes at ISTI. In addition, the 60-minute waiting time after training and competition will also apply to all blood samples collected in serum tubes, including the various modules of the ABP.

As the reduction in waiting times provides significant benefits to both athletes and sample collection staff, this procedural change will be accelerated to be implemented before 1 January 2027, when other updates take effect in IST 2027. These changes will therefore take effect from 1 April 2026.

The Executive Board also approved four new Technical Documents ahead of the meeting, including the Laboratory Performance Assessment and Analytical Testing Procedures. In addition, the Executive Board also recommended approval of WADA’s 2026 budget and 2026-2028 budget forecast, as well as amendments to the Terms of Reference of WADA’s Risk and Audit Committee. The Board will meet annually on 5 December after the meeting.

"In today's world, unity is increasingly fragile – but sport remains a source of hope, uniting people across borders, cultures and beliefs. But only clean sport. The value of an athlete is not in medals, but in integrity. Clean sport is not just about fair play – it is about character, resilience, humility and honesty. It is about dignity. This is why this Congress is important, and why our common mission is important," said Director General Olivier Niggli.

International Olympic Committee Kirsty Coventry also agreed with Director General Olivier Niggli's statement: "There is only one fight we should be fighting — the fight against doping."

Among the guests at the event were Chae Hwi-young, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea; Park Heong-joon, Mayor of Busan City; Head of the local anti-doping agency Yun Jun Yang.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/hoi-nghi-the-gioi-ve-doping-trong-the-thao-tai-busan-20251208143115022.htm