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  • Nishita Singh
    • Jul 14
    • 5 min read

Comparative Analysis of Doping and Regulations: WADA v/s National Anti-Doping Agencies

Nishita Singh,

Rayat Bahra University, Mohali

Introduction

Doping is a complex issue that undermines the integrity and fairness of athletic competition. It refers to the use of prohibited substances or methods to enhance performance, giving athletes an unfair advantage over their competitors. Doping not only violates the principles of fair play but also poses serious health risks to athletes. Athletes may resort to doping for various reasons, including the desire for success, pressure to perform, or financial incentives. Hence, at global and national level organizations have taken a charge to combat these malpractices which tarnish the spirit of sportsmanship and erode the trust of fans and spectators. 

The World Anti-Doping Agency, headquartered in Canada, leads the collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport through scientific research, education, and development of anti-doping capacities. They are the world’s unifying force in the field of sports and athletics. Its activities include the development of the World Anti-Doping Code, which harmonizes anti-doping

policies across sports and countries, and the management of the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. Its efforts help ensure fair competition, protect the health of athletes, and uphold the values of sportsmanship. WADA's work is essential in maintaining a clean and level playing field for athletes worldwide.

NADA stands for the National Anti-Doping Agency and it has it’s headquarter in New Delhi, India. It is an organization that operates in India and is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and monitoring the fight against doping in sports within the country. NADA works to enforce anti-doping policies, conduct doping control tests, educate athletes and sports organizations about anti-doping rules, and ensure compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code. NADA plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of sports and protecting the rights of clean athletes in India. The countries that do not have NADA’s, the National Olympic Committee assume the anti-doping for the country.

Comparative Analysis between WADA v/s NADA’s

When comparing WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) and NADA (National

Anti-Doping Agency), it's essential to understand the roles and functions of these organizations in combating doping in sports. WADA operates on a global scale, overseeing anti-doping efforts internationally and setting standards to ensure fair play and athlete health across all sports and countries. On the other hand, NADA focuses specifically on anti-doping activities within India, working to enforce anti-doping policies, conduct tests, educate athletes, and ensure compliance with anti-doping regulations at the national level.

WADA, being an international agency, plays a pivotal role in harmonizing antidoping policies and practices worldwide. It develops the World Anti-Doping Code, which serves as the core document that harmonizes anti-doping policies, rules, and regulations within sports organizations and among countries. WADA is responsible for managing the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, which outlines the substances and methods prohibited in sports to maintain fair competition and protect the integrity of sports. In contrast, NADA focuses on implementing anti-doping strategies within the Indian sports context. NADA conducts doping control tests on athletes to detect and deter the use of prohibited substances and methods. It also educates athletes, coaches, and sports organizations about anti-doping rules and regulations to promote clean and ethical competition. NADA's role is crucial in ensuring that Indian athletes compete fairly and adhere to anti-doping standards set by WADA.

While WADA sets the global standards and guidelines for anti-doping efforts, NADA acts as the frontline enforcer of these standards within India. NADA works closely with WADA to align its practices with international anti-doping protocols and ensure that Indian athletes comply with the World Anti-Doping Code. By collaborating with WADA, NADA contributes to the global fight against doping and upholds the principles of fair play and integrity in sports at the national level. Both WADA and NADA are committed to eradicating doping in sports and promoting a clean and level playing field for athletes. While

WADA provides the overarching framework and guidelines, NADA implements and enforces these standards within the Indian sports ecosystem. The synergy between WADA and NADA is essential in addressing the challenges of doping in sports effectively and maintaining the purity and fairness of athletic competition.

Hence, WADA and NADA, though operating at different levels, share a common goal of eliminating doping in sports and upholding the values of integrity, fairness, and sportsmanship. Their collaborative efforts contribute significantly to the global anti-doping movement and ensure that athletes worldwide compete in a clean and ethical environment.

International ranking and Domestic Doping Cases

A report released by WADA has concluded that India has recorded the highest number of drug cheats in the world in 2022. Data compiled by National AntiDoping Agency revealed that 142 doping cases were witnessed in the period between April 2022 and March 2023. NADA tested a total of 4342 athletes in this period. In the 142 reported cases, athletics topped the chart with 49 doping cases, followed by weightlifting (22), wrestling (17) and powerlifting (13).  

The case of Lance Armstrong, an American road racing cyclist, is one of the most famous cases of doping. This was handled by USADA, which also deals with the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. He was found guilty for using prohibited substances, possessing prohibited substances, trafficking of testosterone and cortisone, encouraging and aiding anti-doping rule violations. He received a lifetime ban and disqualification from all his competitive results achieved since August 1998.  

One of the recent cases of doping is of Yusuf Pathan, who is an Indian cricketer. He was tested positive for a substance, named Terbutaline, banned by WADA. Since the ingestion was claimed to be inadvertent and for the first time. Hence he a retroactive five month ban was imposed on him.

Himani Chandel has been banned for four years by the ADDP (anti-doping disciplinary panel) after testing positive for the steroid drostanolone. She is a Indian Sprinter and will serve her ban effective June 15, 2023. Another sprinter Lalit Kumar is banned by NADA for four years after testing positive for drostanolone metabolite which is considered under banned substances. His ban came into effective from October 23, 2023.

Conclusion

In summary, the comparative analysis of WADA and NADA underscores the collaborative yet distinct roles these organizations play in the realm of antidoping efforts. While WADA sets global standards and oversees international anti-doping activities, NADA focuses on implementing and enforcing antidoping policies at the national level in India. Together, they contribute to the goal of maintaining fair play, integrity, and drug-free sports environments on a global scale and within the Indian sporting landscape.

References 

1.    Times of India,

3.    Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports,

4.    Times of India,

2023/articleshow/106681591.cms, (last visited  July 09, 2024)

5.    World Anti-Doping Agency , https://www.wadaama.org/en/resources/anti-doping-stats/anti-doping-testing-figures-report, (last visited  July 09, 2024)

6.    Hindustan Times,

Terms and Abbreviations

1.    WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)

2.    NADA (National Anti-Doping Agencies)

3.    ADDP (Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel)

4.    BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India)

5.    USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) 




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