Summary of Operation Hercules / Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department. -- Montreal : WADA, 2021

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) independent Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department has published its summary report following an investigation into allegations that the National Anti-Doping Organization of Ukraine (NADC) engaged in practices that contravened the International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI).

WADA I&I’s investigation, known as ‘Operation Hercules’, was launched in 2019, and has uncovered evidence to suggest that since 2012 NADC has conducted unjustified advance-notice sample collections, arranging to test athletes – including groups of athletes – by appointment at the NADC offices. The ISTI states that, save in exceptional and justifiable circumstances, sample collection must take place with no advance warning to the athlete – a fundamental feature of an effective, unpredictable testing program.

‘Operation Hercules’ has compelling evidence to suggest that in 2021, NADC knowingly reported at least six in-competition samples as out-of-competition samples, in contravention of various articles of the World Anti-Doping Code and the ISTI. The Doping Control Forms (DCFs) for the six misreported samples confirm they were collected in competition but, in each instance, the DCFs listed the sample as being collected “out-of-competition”.

WADA I&I commissioned a re-analysis of these six samples through the in-competition laboratory analysis menu, which includes more prohibited substances than the out-of-competition analysis menu. All sample results were returned negative (i.e. without a prohibited substance).

“‘Operation Hercules’ has raised serious questions about the integrity of NADC’s testing practices, and the competence of some staff. Moreover, the apparent longevity and brazenness of these practices suggests significant organizational failings within NADC.”

Due to the gravity of the allegations and the risk posed by any continuation of the alleged non-compliance by NADC, ‘Operation Hercules’ provided all pertinent information from its investigation to the relevant entities prior to the finalization of this report. This included the relevant departments of WADA, namely, the Compliance, Rules and Standards Department and the Testing Department, for their immediate action. A compliance process has been initiated regarding NADC, under the provisions of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories.

‘Operation Hercules’ also investigated allegations that a doping and protection scheme existed within the Ukrainian Athletics Federation (FLAU) but found no evidence to support this charge. However, potential evidence of erythropoietin (EPO) trafficking was identified against an individual from within FLAU. The individual in question has denied the allegation and ‘Operation Hercules’ has reported this matter to the Athletics Integrity Unit for its consideration.

WADA Testing Guidance for Anti-Doping Organizations regarding Ukraine, Russia and Belarus / World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). - Montreal : WADA, 2022

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) continued to be appalled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the devastating war that is ongoing. 

In order to maintain the integrity of the global anti-doping system as much as possible given the circumstances, today WADA is issuing Testing Guidance for Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs), with specific instructions and advice when it comes to anti-doping in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus.

WADA will continue to monitor developments and update this Guidance as necessary as the situation evolves.

Testing Professional Standard / World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). - Montreal : WADA, 2023

• Version 1.0
• GLDF | Global Learning and Development Framework - Testing

The professional standard aims to support the anti-doping industry by providing a benchmark of competence for a specific role. Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) can use the professional standard to support the evaluation of competence and importantly to support practitioner development by identifying professional development needs.

Testing Role Descriptor / World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). - Montreal : WADA, 2023

• GLDF | Global Learning and Development Framework - Role Descriptor - Testing

The role descriptor will support the anti-doping industry by clarifying the main characteristics of key anti-doping roles. It can be used to support the development of a job description when an Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) aims to recruit a Testing practitioner. ADOs should tailor this role descriptor to their specific needs and realities.

The independent commission report #1 : final report / Richard H. McLaren, Richard W. Pound and Günter Younger. - WADA : Montreal, 2015

On December 3, 2014, the German television channel ARD aired the documentary “Top Secret Doping: How Russia makes its Winners”, alleging the existence of a sophisticated and well established system of state-sponsored doping within the All Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF), the governing body for the sport of athletics in Russia, recognized as such by the responsible international federation (IF), the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Implicated in the documentary were Russian athletes, coaches, national and international sport federations, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and the Moscow WADA-accredited laboratory. Witness statements and other evidence allegedly exposed high levels of collusion among athletes, coaches, doctors, regulatory officials, and sports agencies to systematically provide Russian athletes performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) in order to achieve the state’s main goal, as alleged in the ARD documentary: producing winners.

The investigation has confirmed the existence of widespread cheating through the use of doping substances and methods to ensure, or enhance the likelihood of, victory for athletes and teams. The cheating was done by the athletes’ entourages, officials and the athletes themselves.
Evidence of extensive doping use is supported and confirmed by audio and video evidence, scientific evidence, corroborative statements, cyber analysis and related reporting documents. Numerous statements corroborate the original allegations and further detail the extensive use of doping substances and blood doping within Russian athletics.
In addition, evidence exists that confirms that coaches have attempted to manipulate or interfere with doping reports and testing procedures. They are also the source and counselling of athletes’ use of PEDs. The coaches are supported in their doping efforts by certain medical professionals. Moreover, it is particularly alarming that there appears to be a collective disregard for the athletes’ current or future state of health.

The independent commission report #2 / Richard H. McLaren, Richard W. Pound and Günter Younger. - WADA : Montreal, 2016

The contents of the material in this report #2 will be incorporated into IC Report #1 to form a single comprehensive IC Report. For purposes of convenience, this chapter has been separately set out to minimize the size of the document provided at the press conference scheduled for 14 January 2016.

Part I provides details of the information delivered to the French authorities in August 2015. Publication of such material was delayed to avoid possible interference with the activities of the French investigation. Thus, while reference was made to such referral in the IC Report #1 delivered on 09 November 2015, the underlying evidence was not disclosed at that time.

Part II discusses certain developments following the release of IC Report #1 as well as the leaked email, dated 19 July 2013, sent by IAAF Deputy Secretary General Nick Davies to Papa Massata Diack.

Part III addresses the allegations made on ARD German television and in The Sunday Times (as well as in other media) that the anti-doping activities of the IAAF (specifically with respect to blood doping) were inadequate in the circumstances.

On December 3, 2014, the German television channel ARD aired the documentary “Top Secret Doping: How Russia makes its Winners”, alleging the existence of a sophisticated and well established system of state-sponsored doping within the All Russia Athletics Federation (ARAF), the governing body for the sport of athletics in Russia, recognized as such by the responsible international federation (IF), the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Implicated in the documentary were Russian athletes, coaches, national and international sport federations, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) and the Moscow WADA-accredited laboratory. Witness statements and other evidence allegedly exposed high levels of collusion among athletes, coaches, doctors, regulatory officials, and sports agencies to systematically provide Russian athletes performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) in order to achieve the state’s main goal, as alleged in the ARD documentary: producing winners.

TUE Administrator Professional Standard / World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). - Montreal : WADA, 2023

• Version 1.0
• GLDF | Global Learning and Development Framework - TUE Committee Member

The professional standard aims to support the anti-doping industry by providing a benchmark of competence for a specific role. Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) can use the professional standard to support the evaluation of competence and importantly to support practitioner development by identifying professional development needs.

TUE Committee Member Professional Standard / World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). - Montreal : WADA, 2023

• Version 1.0
• GLDF | Global Learning and Development Framework - TUE Committee Member

The professional standard aims to support the anti-doping industry by providing a benchmark of competence for a specific role. Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) can use the professional standard to support the evaluation of competence and importantly to support practitioner development by identifying professional development needs.

Update on the status of Russia testing / WADA Executive Committee and Foundation Board. - World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), 2016

- This report is intended to give an update from information provided on the status of the interim testing in Russia to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Executive Committee and Foundation Board on 11-12 May 2016.
- The report on 11-12 May was also posted on the WADA Web site
- The information provided in this report was collated in partnership with United Kingdom Anti-Doping (UKAD)
- The information contained in this report has also been shared with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Anti-Doping Task Force

Updates to documents relating to the narcotic tramadol that is on the 2024 Prohibited List / World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). - Montreal : WADA, 2023

WADA has published the following updates related to the narcotic tramadol that has been added to the 2024 Prohibited List; and, will be prohibited in competition, effective 1 January 2024: 

1.) An update to the 2024 Summary of Major Modifications and Explanatory Notes, which relates to tramadol. 

2.) A Technical Letter dealing with the Minimum Reporting Level (MRL) for Tramadol

3.) Tramadol-related Factsheets