WADA Statement About Allegations at FINA World Championships in Melbourne

Montreal, 2 April 2007 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) today expressed its great concern and disappointment following a serious breach of confidentiality that occurred as part of the FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. WADA is especially shocked that the name of an athlete was apparently given to the media while no adverse analytical finding has been determined at this point.

Following its policy, WADA does not comment on pending procedures. The Agency is never involved in the management of individual doping control results, which is the responsibility of the national anti-doping organization and the sports federation involved in the particular case. This particular case has not led to an analytical positive result, but is rather an unusual situation which is subject to further inquiry. Only when this process is completed and if an adverse analytical finding is then made, will WADA be informed of an athlete's name. WADA's role as relates to doping control results management is to assess the sanctioning process conducted by the relevant anti-doping organizations following completion of the process. Should WADA consider that a decision does not comply with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code), the Agency determines whether it should exercise any rights of appeal that may exist.

As the international body responsible for monitoring the global fight against doping in sport, WADA expects the International Swimming Federation (FINA) and the Australian Sport Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) will deal responsibly with the matter. The apparent provision of an athlete's name to the media when it should have been kept confidential is unacceptable.

WADA will discuss with its stakeholders ways to further strengthen confidentiality provisions as part of the ongoing World Anti-Doping Code review, which will culminate at the Third World Conference on Doping in Sport, to be held on November 15-17, 2007, in Madrid, Spain.

For more information on the World Anti-Doping Code review and consultation, click here.