A critique of the 2021 WADA Code

Webinar on Clinical Research 2021 & Sports Medicine 2021

November 29-30, 2021 WEBINAR

Aniruddha Kambhampati

Jindal Global Law School, India

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Sports Med Dop Stud

Abstract :

The prime driver of the harmonization of anti-doping has been the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), whose Code is the universal document upon which the anti-doping program is predicated. This paper critically examines the contents of the revised 2021 World Anti-Doping Code (2021 Code) and evaluates how far it goes towards meeting the goals prescribed under it, namely: to promote health, fairness, and equality for athletes by making sport doping-free, and to ensure harmonized, coordinated, and effective anti-doping programs at the international and national level. Through the analysis of the 2021 Code, the authors argue that the provisions introduced are significant. The amendments attempt to strike a fine balance between strengthening the anti-doping regime and promoting clean sport, while also attempting to ensure that the rights of athletes are better protected. However, it is also argued that some significant gaps still exist and there is room for further reform. In addition, the enforcement of the Code at all levels within the anti-doping framework is critical, especially with respect to the athletes’ guarantees and rights enshrined thereunder. As such, WADA and National Anti-Doping Organizations have an important role to play in ensuring that the rights of athletes are protected. This paper furthers the discourse on the need to safeguard the interests of athletes while promoting clean sport, and discusses a mix of legal and socio-political perspectives to critique the current anti-doping framework.

Biography :

Aniruddha Kambhampati is a final year law student at Jindal Global Law School, India. He likes to dabble in the fields of sports law, constitutional law, human rights law, and criminal law, and hopes to someday forge a career by bringing together these wide range of interests. His heart truly lies with cricket, however, and when not watching, he is thinking or playing it.