What Is CPISRA and What Do We Do?
CPISRA is the leading international sports organisation governing and promoting sport and recreation for Cerebral Palsy (CP) and related neurological conditions. CPISRA aims to provide and promote opportunities for recreational sport and activity, the development of grassroots adaptive sport, and devise platforms for regional and international competitive and elite sport. CPISRA is a founding organisation of the Paralympics and one of only four International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled (IOSD) recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to represent impairment groups.
Our vision: All people who have Cerebral Palsy or related neurological conditions have the opportunity to benefit from and participate in sport and recreation throughout the World
Download the CPISRA Information Brochure
Introduction to Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA).
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March is Cerebral Palsy awareness month, and CPISRA started the month by visiting India to spread awareness of Cerebral Palsy sport, and to research how the development of Cerebral Palsy sport and recreation can be supported.
Craig Carscadden, CPISRA's Chief Executive, and Lauren Milstead, Development Manager, spent 4 days visiting different organisations in Kolkata and Bangalore, as well as meeting the with CPSAI (the Cerebral Palsy Sports Association of India) and the SACPSF (The South Asian Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation).
Friday 1st March
On the first day of the trip, CPSAI had arranged for Craig and Lauren to visit the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy in Kolkata, a fantastic organisation providing educational, respite, therapy and vocational services to children and adults with Cerebral Palsy. Craig and Lauren discussed the benefits of introducing sport and recreation, answered questions from parents and therapists, and heard first hand from CPSAI volunteers about what support they need to deliver their programmes. The students and staff of IICP demonstrated a boccia game which they had introduced to help develop motor skills. They had made their own balls and ramps, and it was easy to see that the children loved it!
Saturday 2nd March
Craig and Lauren were invited to the Spastics Society of Karnataka in Bangalore. Parents and staff of the centre had a very meaningful discussion with Lauren, Craig and the CPSAI representatives about how to introduce and develop sport programmes in their centre. This meeting provided valuable insight in to what is required by both CPSAI and CPISRA to develop Cerebral Palsy sports and recreation in India.
Sunday 3rd March
Craig and Lauren were invited to join a SACPSF committee meeting, where they were able to hear first hand about the issues faced in all the countries included in the organisation. It was great to hear about the motivation and enthusiasm of all countries, and again learn how CPISRA can support the development of CP sport in this region.
Monday 4th March
The final meeting of the trip was held at the Association of People with Disabilities (APD) in Bangalore, another fantastic facility offering educational, vocational and therapy services to people with disabilities. Lauren presented a powerpoint on CPISRA's vision and programmes, and APD shared their expertise and desire to increase sport programmes in their centres. Many other sports organisations and NGOs were present, and a meaningful discussion was held.
This fact-finding trip was invaluable, and reinforced the need for CPISRA development work throughout the World. We have a lot of work to do following the trip, but it proved that the future of CP sport is very bright!
CPISRA are excited to announce the CPISRA Multi-Sports Development Games in Portimão, Portugal on the 8th-13th October 2019. Sports included will be Boccia U20s, RaceRunning and Wheelchair Slalom and is a fantastic opportunity for development athletes to learn, develop and improve while experiencing a multi-sports event.
Both team entries and individual entries are welcome and will be accepted. Families are welcome to join individual entries. Click below for an Information Pack and Intention to Compete Form
Please contact lauren.milstead@cpisra.org with any queries.
A joint project between USAID and the VNAH have been helping people with disabilities in Vietnam access early intervention and improved integration in their communities, including access to a RaceRunning frame!
Representatives of the four International Organisations of Sport for the Disabled (IOSDs) – the founders of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) – gathered in Bonn, Germany, recently to meet with IPC President Andrew Parsons and Chief Executive Officer Xavier Gonzalez.
The Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA), the International Federation for Athletes with Intellectual Impairments (INAS), the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) all play a key role in the development of Para sports.
At a meeting on 22 January, Parsons and Gonzalez reaffirmed their strong support for the IOSD’s within the Paralympic movement and the significant work they do to support the athlete pathway.
"The IOSDs play a significant role in the development of the Paralympic Movement and work in close partnership with the IPC,” Parsons said. “We are athlete-centred organisations and together we aim to create more opportunities for athletes from all regions, especially those with high-support needs. We have also discussed how to provide new pathways from grassroots level to elite competition."
The IPC also made several presentations on classification, their strategic plan, the Agitos Foundation and other current topics.
The IOSDs highlighted their individual activities, including their respective multi-sport events for the different impairment groups and the role they play in helping Para athletes on their way to the Paralympics. They also talked about the wide range of opportunities for athletes beyond the Paralympic Games, such as in those sports not currently on the programme.
The part IOSDs have in bringing more athletes with high support needs through the system was another topic that led to a good discussion.
As well as joint meetings, individual meetings were held between the IOSDs and key IPC staff. The gathering is now expected to take place at least once a year.
Working alone and together, the IOSDs play a key role in the development of Para sports through competitions, training, education and advocacy for athletes and people within the Paralympic Movement and beyond.
IWAS will host its World Games 2019 in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE), from 12-16 February. INAS stages the Global Games in Brisbane, Australia, from 12-19 October. Both events feature multiple sports, some of which are qualifiers for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, and are expected to attract hundreds of athletes from around the world.
IBSA will host its General Assembly in July 2019 in Fort Wayne, USA, where it aims to bring together members to agree on a new five-year strategy. The centrepiece of this is for IBSA to become the world’s leading organisation for developing sports for people with visual impairments inside and outside the Paralympic Games.
CPISRA hosted its World Games in 2018 in Sant Cugat, Spain. It has also been instrumental in growing RaceRunning, which was added to the World Para Athletics programme at the European Championships in 2018. The sport will now also appear at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai, UAE.
Image credit David Guest / Ordnance Survey
Mel Nicholls, T34 Paralympic Athlete and Adventurer, told us why she loves to explore the outdoors.
For me, being in a busy shopping centre, or trying to navigate through crowds either on my crutches or in my wheelchair isn’t much fun. I get knocked off my balance, I feel anxious as I can’t process through the many voices, people rush around you and often into you or landing on you, without much consideration, and generally these places for someone with a neurological disability can be a struggle.
Outside, I am me. The wind might be howling around me, the rain lashing down, and I might be pulling myself up a rocky ledge. But out here I feel alive, I have all the space I need to find my balance and all the time to take a minute and process and work out my next move, my way.
I have always loved the great outdoors, and always had adventure in my soul. I love sport and I love racing, with such a passion. But for me it is about much more than winning. Getting to do a sport that keeps me outside is very important to me, and any chance I can, away from my day to day training, I take to my own adventures. Pushing myself, as I do in my sport, but also reaping the rewards that being outside, amongst nature, in the elements, and in such beauty of our wild world when we take a moment to stop and really notice. It is certainly cathartic. As well as the physical benefits to anyone getting active outside, as someone with a disability I know my time spent in the hills, with the trees in the woods, and climbing up rocks with my arms, continues to make both my body and mind stronger. Parts of my body don’t work and never will, but my belief in what is possible, and mindset grows with each challenge, every time I head out into the unknown. It is calming yet empowering, it helps me refocus, yet I dream up a million plans in an afternoon. It is the best medicine for some time out alone, and yet the greatest get-together for friends and families.
It is important to stretch our comfort zones, it is the only way we improve. If you’ve only ever pushed to the end of your road, you’ll never know just how far you can go. Equally, if you’ve never been camping with your friends and roasted marshmallows on a camp fire, you won’t know just what that kind of an experience can bring. The gain in confidence, independence, friendships, and sense of adventure. Getting mucky and being pushed through squelchy mud is so much fun, for everyone involved! Yes, you’re going to get filthy and mud up to your armpits, but it brings out the inner warrior in you and soon you’ll be using your muddy fingers to paint battle stripes on your face and everyone around you.
I am an adventurer, I seek out wild places and tell untold stories, but adventure does not have to mean climbing mountains and sailing the high seas. Adventure is just as much a state of mind and can be accessible for all. It’s just about finding your way. With the right support you can abseil, raft down a river, take a pony trek through the moors, or spend the day with friends on a hill, with a hot flask of tea and a packet of biscuits. If it’s adventurous to you, it’s your adventure, and to me, there is nothing better.
I know I cannot climb Everest and I cannot mountain bike as I used to down the hills near my home. But through being brave enough to get out there and try, not caring what I look like or how slow I am, I have achieved far more than I ever thought possible and have found ways to do and to ‘can’, rather than to ‘can’t’. I have sat down (stand up) paddle boarded rivers and solo handcycled some of the wildest and most remote islands in the North Atlantic, carrying everything on my bike. I have taken tea (complete with teapot) with friends at sunset on top of a hill after they pushed me up there in my wheelchair to watch the sun go down on Midsummers day, and I have swum off the wild Pembrokeshire coast on a chilly November morning as the sun came up. Most recently I achieved something I have only ever dreamt of for the last ten years since my last stroke. Using specially adapted crutches and an incredible support team, I climbed a mountain.
Every one of those adventures meant so much to me. Many I never knew if or how much I could, and out of each of them I gained so much. Whether that’s learning and growth, or friendships and teamwork, so often moments stripped me back, to give me back me. Physically stronger and fitter and feeling like I could take on the world but at the same time feeling humbled by the world around me.
I have many more plans and more wild places to explore, my way, and I hope through my work and my adventures I continue to inspire others to find their way. I believe we are all Beyond Barriers and there is ALWAYS a way. Here’s to Getting Outside and Getting Active, Adventure Awaits...
The CPISRA World Games 2018 was a great success and fantastic experience for our athletes. CPISRA can thank enough the Local Organising Committee ( Catalan Sports Federation for Persons with Cerebral Palsy), Sant Cugat City Council and the Games partners. Also a huge thank you to all team personnel, officials, volunteers and spectators for without you there would be no Games.
Sant Gugat, Spain welcomed 600 participants from 30 countries around the World to the Games with a wonderful opening ceremony. The highlight being a high wire act with ninety percent of the performers being people with Cerebral Palsy. Mr Carlos Munoz; President of Catalan Sports Federation for people with Cerebral Palsy and Stephen Miller MBE Stephen; multiple Paralympic gold medallist and Chair of the CPISRA Athletes Committee, opened the Games.
In the 40 year history of the CPISRA World Games, this is only the 2nd time that they have been held outside of the United Kingdom, and is the first time that they have been held in Continental Europe. CPISRA’s mantra of Opportunity, Development and Participation was well and truly reflected in this year’s programme as it is the broadest offered to date. The week showcased world class competition in para-athletics, para-swimming and under-19 CP football. As well as this, the CPISRA World Games development sports programme provided a Camp and Competition format for boccia, wheelchair slalom and female CP football to help improve skills and introduce international competition. The Agitos Proud Paralympian programme , run alongside the games, providing leadership training as well as education workshops for all. And completing the multi-dimensional Games programme the CPISRA General Assembly was held; enabling delegates to be part of this exceptional Games programme.
The Games finished not with a Closing Ceremony but with a Games Celebration party. For in addition to performance and results, the Games was also about making friends, embracing new cultures and enjoying the experience. May many of the athletes have built friendships that will last a lifetime.
In successfully delivering the broadest programme ever, this Games has lifted the CPISRA World Games to new a new level. To which great credit and thanks is given to the LOC for having the courage and commitment to make it happen.
CPISRA and Member News
CPISRA are thrilled to be a referral partner for the 2019 British Exploring Society Expedition from Scotland to Iceland, partnered with the Jubilee Sailing Trust.
This exciting opportunity is open to individuals aged 16-21 at the time of the expedition (August 2019) with and without disabilities. Participants must be able to self-manage their personal care and be self-mobile.
The expedition will include a 2 week sailing trip from Scotland to Iceland, plus a 2 week remote expedition in Iceland. The expedition team will be comprised of both disabled and non-disabled young people, supported by a team of highly experienced and qualified and adult leaders from the British Exploring Society and the Jubilee Sailing Trust.
Are you enthusiastic, have a desire to learn and ready for a life-changing experience? Email lauren.milstead@cpisra.org for more information. Please share this with anyone you feel might be interested in this exciting opportunity.
Registrations for the Inaugural International Outdoor Recreation Camp is now open! The camp will be held on Monday 23rd September 2019 - Friday 27th September 2019 at the Calvert Trust Lakes District, in England. The camp will include 4 nights and 3 full days of activities and include a mix of individual, group and social activities. The emphasis will be on team activities, making new friends, building self-confidence, challenging what you think is possible and breaking boundaries through outdoor adventure. This inaugural camp is for adults (18+) with cerebral palsy and related conditions and you will be challenged to activities such as rock climbing, orienteering, canoeing, an assault course and much more. All activities and accommodation are fully accessible. Please contact lauren.milstead@cpisra.org for more information and to register your interest.
Cost is £480 per person and is inclusive of all activities, food and accommodation
View the camp flyer here
RaceRunning Animations
The University of Edinburgh has produced two informative RaceRunning animations as part of their project to research suitability of animation in communicating research findings. The aim of the animations is to expand the potential audience reach and impact of such research and to more effectively convey and engage people beyond the research community.
The research currently being carried out by the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with CPISRA has produced two animations, the first describing What Is RaceRunning and the second detailing RaceRunning Physiology Research currently being carried out.
Access the videos on the RaceRunning section of the CPISRA website or on the links below
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y94t8HqISyA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-tjxVzGWbU&t=3s
We hope you enjoy the videos!
RaceRunning makes a very successful debut at the World Para Athletics European Championships. 20 RaceRunning athletes from 7 countries competed at the Berlin WPA European Championships in August, 2018. With 14 athletes competing in the combined RR2/3 class and 7 athletes in the RR1 class.
RaceRunning makes a very successful debut at the World Para Athletics European Championships. 20 RaceRunning athletes from 7 countries competed at the Berlin WPA European Championships in August, 2018. With 14 athletes competing in the combined RR2/3 class and 7 athletes in the RR1 class.
Our congratulations to all athletes that competed and contributed to great debut.
Our congratulations to all athletes that competed and contributed to great debut.
Below are the entries and results.
The CPISRA World Games 2018 was a great success and fantastic experience for our athletes. CPISRA can thank enough the Local Organising Committee ( Catalan Sports Federation for Persons with Cerebral Palsy), Sant Cugat City Council and the Games partners. Also a huge thank you to all team personnel, officials, volunteers and spectators for without you there would be no Games.
Sant Gugat, Spain welcomed 600 participants from 30 countries around the World to the Games with a wonderful opening ceremony. The highlight being a high wire act with ninety percent of the performers being people with Cerebral Palsy. Mr Carlos Munoz; President of Catalan Sports Federation for people with Cerebral Palsy and Stephen Miller MBE Stephen; multiple Paralympic gold medallist and Chair of the CPISRA Athletes Committee, opened the Games.
In the 40 year history of the CPISRA World Games, this is only the 2nd time that they have been held outside of the United Kingdom, and is the first time that they have been held in Continental Europe. CPISRA’s mantra of Opportunity, Development and Participation was well and truly reflected in this year’s programme as it is the broadest offered to date. The week showcased world class competition in para-athletics, para-swimming and under-19 CP football. As well as this, the CPISRA World Games development sports programme provided a Camp and Competition format for boccia, wheelchair slalom and female CP football to help improve skills and introduce international competition. The Agitos Proud Paralympian programme , run alongside the games, providing leadership training as well as education workshops for all. And completing the multi-dimensional Games programme the CPISRA General Assembly was held; enabling delegates to be part of this exceptional Games programme.
The Games finished not with a Closing Ceremony but with a Games Celebration party. For in addition to performance and results, the Games was also about making friends, embracing new cultures and enjoying the experience. May many of the athletes have built friendships that will last a lifetime.
In successfully delivering the broadest programme ever, this Games has lifted the CPISRA World Games to new a new level. To which great credit and thanks is given to the LOC for having the courage and commitment to make it happen.
The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) and Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association (CPISRA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and encourage CP sport in the Asian region.
The MoU was signed by Asian Paralympic Committee president Mr. Majid Rashed and CPISRA president Mr. Peter Drysdale during the CPISRA General Assembly in Sant Cugat, Barcelona, Spain. The General Assembly was held during the CPISRA World Games and it was with great pleasure and appreciation that CPISRA welcomed Mr. Rashed to the CPISRA World Games Opening Ceremony and the General Assembly.
According to the agreement, both the parties will collaborate to increase the community awareness. sport and competition opportunities for athletes with cerebral palsy or other neurological conditions. To increase the awareness of the Paralympic Movement and Para Athletes in Asia; to educate and support the classification system for CP Athletes; to increase training and education opportunities for CP Athletes, Coaches, Technical Officials and Classifiers; and to develop CP sports in various methods in the Asian region.
The agreement, which is effective from the date of signing for a period of four years, is a follow up of Mr. Drysdale’s visit to APC headquarters in Dubai in early June when they discussed and sought APC’s co-operation in promoting the sport in Asia and holding possible events together in future.
Commenting on the association, APC president Mr. Rashed said:
"This is a big step towards promoting and developing CP sport in Asia. I hope that together with CPISRA, we can help grow the sport with our commitment, determination and encouragement. I am overwhelmed to see the enthusiasm and determination of the athletes here at the World Games and believe that through this agreement, we will be able to strengthen the platform for the athletes in Asia as well. I congratulate the entire CP fraternity for this day and wish good luck to the athletes for their events at the Games."
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the dates for the CPISRA Multi-Sports Development Games in Portimao (Portugal) have changed and the event will now take place from the 2nd to the 6th October, 2019.
In light of this change, a decision has been made to extend the deadline for countries and individuals to register for this event so you can now register your Intention to Compete until the 20th April, 2019. Those who have previously entered are not required to re-apply. The entry fee has also been reduced to 580€ per person as the competition will be on for one less day.
Email info@cpisra.org with any questions
108 athletes and 250 total participants have registered for the 23rd International RaceRunning Development Camp & CPISRA International Cup. The Following countries will take part:
Australia, Denmark, England, Faroe Islands, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland Somaliland, Spain, Sweden and USA
The Camp and Cup will take place from the 7th-14th July in Frederiksberg, Denmark
It is an annual celebration where RaceRunners from around the world in Denmark for a week of great RaceRunning experiences.
RaceRunner’s International Cup - 3 days of intensive competition, open for all classes and age groups.
Quality Training – 3 days of training on the beautiful stadium, Frederiksberg Idrætspark, supervised by the experienced coaches from the Danish National Team.
Classification – get an evaluation by an official classification panel.
Social Activities – Come to Denmark, meet people from other countries and make new friends.
Coach Course – Theoretical and practical exercises designed by the Danish National Coaches.
March is Cerebral Palsy awareness month, and CPISRA started the month by visiting India to spread awareness of Cerebral Palsy sport, and to research how the development of Cerebral Palsy sport and recreation can be supported.
Craig Carscadden, CPISRA's Chief Executive, and Lauren Milstead, Development Manager, spent 4 days visiting different organisations in Kolkata and Bangalore, as well as meeting the with CPSAI (the Cerebral Palsy Sports Association of India) and the SACPSF (The South Asian Cerebral Palsy Sports Federation).
Friday 1st March
On the first day of the trip, CPSAI had arranged for Craig and Lauren to visit the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy in Kolkata, a fantastic organisation providing educational, respite, therapy and vocational services to children and adults with Cerebral Palsy. Craig and Lauren discussed the benefits of introducing sport and recreation, answered questions from parents and therapists, and heard first hand from CPSAI volunteers about what support they need to deliver their programmes. The students and staff of IICP demonstrated a boccia game which they had introduced to help develop motor skills. They had made their own balls and ramps, and it was easy to see that the children loved it!
Saturday 2nd March
Craig and Lauren were invited to the Spastics Society of Karnataka in Bangalore. Parents and staff of the centre had a very meaningful discussion with Lauren, Craig and the CPSAI representatives about how to introduce and develop sport programmes in their centre. This meeting provided valuable insight in to what is required by both CPSAI and CPISRA to develop Cerebral Palsy sports and recreation in India.
Sunday 3rd March
Craig and Lauren were invited to join a SACPSF committee meeting, where they were able to hear first hand about the issues faced in all the countries included in the organisation. It was great to hear about the motivation and enthusiasm of all countries, and again learn how CPISRA can support the development of CP sport in this region.
Monday 4th March
The final meeting of the trip was held at the Association of People with Disabilities (APD) in Bangalore, another fantastic facility offering educational, vocational and therapy services to people with disabilities. Lauren presented a powerpoint on CPISRA's vision and programmes, and APD shared their expertise and desire to increase sport programmes in their centres. Many other sports organisations and NGOs were present, and a meaningful discussion was held.
This fact-finding trip was invaluable, and reinforced the need for CPISRA development work throughout the World. We have a lot of work to do following the trip, but it proved that the future of CP sport is very bright!
Sam told us about how she feels about her recent win
"I have just attended the 8th World Para Taekwondo Championships in Antalya, Turkey and became a double world champion in the P33 Para-Poomsae category. I retained my World Title from London in 2017 and I feel totally elated. This has been possible due to my constant determination and perseverance to train hard to achieve to the best of my ability and encouragement and feedback from my coaches. This obviously pays off with me winning the world title for the 2nd time.
There has been a noticeable increase in participation within all P30 classes since London and I feel this will only get bigger and better from now on. 2 out of the 3 P30 GB athletes competed in the Worlds in Turkey, Lewis Currie in P31 and myself as a P33. Francesca who is a P34 was unable to attend due to GCSE exams. My future goals within Para-Taekwondo is to achieve my 4th Dan black belt this year and win more medals at competitions and improve my score to the highest I can.
I am hoping in the future that we get enough competitors so the CP classes can be broken down into age categories so it is fairer for athletes to compete rather than children competing against adults as it is now. The icing on the cake for my trip was reading the athletes oath at the opening ceremony and being introduced to the World Taekwondo President Dr Chungwon Choue."
CPISRA are excited to announce the CPISRA Multi-Sports Development Games in Portimão, Portugal on the 8th-13th October 2019. Sports included will be Boccia U20s, RaceRunning and Wheelchair Slalom and is a fantastic opportunity for development athletes to learn, develop and improve while experiencing a multi-sports event.
Both team entries and individual entries are welcome and will be accepted. Families are welcome to join individual entries. Click below for an Information Pack and Intention to Compete Form
Please contact lauren.milstead@cpisra.org with any queries.
The CPISRA RaceRunning classification master list has been updated in accordance with World Para Athletics memo of 17th December. Any athlete appearing on the current master list will not require to be classified prior to the 2019 WPA World Championships in Dubai.
The masters list can be found here and on the RaceRunning page on cpisra.org
Other News
Montreal, 24 April 2019 – A newly developed method for detecting the use of prohibited substances in athletes has led to a significant and unprecedented 29 March 2019 decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in favour of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
CAS issued a final award confirming Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) in the cases of the Ukrainian track and field athletes, Olesia Povh and Olha Zemliak. Both athletes were convicted of using a prohibited substance based on the detection of non-physiological levels of testosterone in their blood serum samples following analysis in the WADA-accredited laboratories in Lausanne, Switzerland, and Seibersdorf, Austria.
The testing was initiated by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). This led to the subsequent investigation, which resulted in these important convictions. The measurement of testosterone levels in blood serum constitutes a further tool for Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) to detect and prosecute doping, even where urine samples might be reported as negative.
WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said: “WADA welcomes this decision by CAS, which could have a long-term positive impact on clean sport. I would also like to commend the AIU for their excellent work which led to this outcome. The decision sets an important precedent and this new method of detecting doping represents another way for ADOs to secure Anti-Doping Rule Violations against those who choose to cheat. It is a significant victory for clean sport and for athletes around the world.”
Significantly, CAS ruled that there could be no doubt on the evidence that the method used in measuring testosterone in blood serum was scientifically valid, paving the way for further examples of this method being used in the future.
Olesia Povh was sanctioned with a four-year period of ineligibility for intentional doping while Olha Zemliak received an eight-year period of ineligibility as it was her second violation.
Athens, 5 April 2019 – Yesterday, the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) Director General, Olivier Niggli, addressed a two-day conference in Athens, Greece, being held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Council of Europe’s Anti-Doping Convention (Convention).
This year marks three decades since the Convention was open for signature – a treaty that has now been ratified by all 47 Council of Europe member countries and several other states. Arriving 10 years before WADA was formed, the Convention helped to prepare the way for the Agency’s work by standardizing and harmonizing measures to tackle doping across all boundaries.
Olivier Niggli told the conference that while the success of the Convention and many other measures in protecting clean sport were clear, now was not the time for complacency.
“Without a doubt there is much more work to be done and improvements to be made,” he said. “The fight against doping is not static. It evolves every day and none of us should rest on our laurels. Together, the Council of Europe, Member States, WADA, UNESCO, the Sport Movement and all other players within the anti-doping community must go further by improving our methods, our rules, our science, our monitoring, our education programs, our investigative capabilities and much more.
“The input of governments, such as those represented at this important conference, is paramount to going further and making a difference. We need them as a crucial part of the team. The athletes make all of us proud every day through their hard efforts, their excellence and their dedication. They act as role models for the youth and make their nations’ flags fly on the world stage. We owe them our full commitment – to protect them and the sports they love.
“Over the years, WADA has been working very closely with the Council of Europe on a range of issues, including matters related to monitoring the compliance of anti-doping programs. This partnership has allowed for a crossover of important expertise, which benefits both organizations in increasing their respective efficiency while avoiding duplication of resources.
“On behalf of WADA, I wish to thank Europe for their commitment, their investment and their relentless efforts in protecting clean sport and society.”
Montreal, 2 April 2019
Dear Colleagues,
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) invites all of its stakeholders to join WADA in celebrating ‘Play True Day’ on 10 April along with fellow athletes, National and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations, Sports Federations, Major Event Organizers and other anti-doping stakeholders from around the world.
‘Play True Day’ is dedicated to clean sport and is intended to raise awareness among athletes, the sporting public and others about the global fight against doping. The inspiration for this initiative stems from a WADA-hosted Education Conference in 2013, which was attended by 17 South American countries that were the driving force behind 10 April being declared ‘Play True Day’. While it started as a small South American initiative, over the years, this grassroots movement has gained momentum with numerous organizations and countries from across the globe taking part.
In a spirit of solidarity among the anti-doping community, we invite you to join WADA and others by celebrating ‘Play True Day’ on your digital and social media platforms using one of the branded frames WADA has created especially for the day. Alternatively, you may wish to innovate and create your own Play True Day frame with a unique twist based on your specific sport or country. We also invite you all to use the hashtag #PlayTrueDay both in the leadup to and on the day in order to maximize the impact of the event on social media.
Also, should you have any queries or events/videos etc. that you would like to promote, please visit the Play True Day Website, or feel free to contact Nina Makuc from the Slovenian NADO at nina.makuc@sloado.si, who has been a true champion of the cause.
Best regards,
World Anti-Doping Agency
Dear Colleagues,
In 2016, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) initiated development of its ISO9001:2015 certified Compliance Monitoring Program; and since 2017, WADA has been monitoring Signatories’ compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) mainly through the Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ) and the Signatory Audit program.
So far, WADA has issued Corrective Action Reports (CARs) to all 307 Signatories that received and completed the CCQ; and, work is ongoing with a number of Signatories. In addition, WADA has conducted around 30 audits on both International Federations (IFs) and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs), with a total of 19 audits planned for 2019.
We wish to thank all Signatories for the energy and efforts that have been put into the implementation of the corrective actions, which contribute significantly to protecting the integrity of sport worldwide.
Given that the next CCQ will not be issued until early 2022 to assess the implementation of the revised Code and International Standards, which will come into effect on 1 January 2021; in early 2019, WADA launched an enhanced “Continuous Monitoring Program” for Code Signatories, which we wish to detail for you today. In short, the Continuous Monitoring Program includes the following elements:
Monitoring the entry of Doping Control Forms (DCFs) into the Anti-Doping Administration & Management System (ADAMS). Since the introduction of this initiative, DCF entry has increased globally from 60% in 2015 to 98% today. Nonetheless, as a reminder, it is critical that Signatories enter DCFs into ADAMS within 15 business days of sample collection to enable a meaningful steroidal and haematological Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) program to operate worldwide; to facilitate coordinated test distribution planning; and, to avoid unnecessary duplication in testing by Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs);
Monitoring Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) applications and decisions, both in terms of timely input into ADAMS (TUE decisions within 15 business days after the TUE Committee makes its decision) and the quality of submissions provided;
Monitoring Results Management cases to ensure that due process is followed and cases are closed in a timely fashion;
Conducting remote, post-audit review of Signatories previously audited, to ensure that compliance is maintained and does not revert back following a WADA audit;
Issuing Mandatory Information Requests (MIRs) under Article 8.6 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), if needed, to ensure compliance of activities associated with Critical or High Priority requirements; and
Monitoring ABP programs.
The purpose of the Continuous Monitoring Program is to bridge the gap between the CCQ issued in 2017 and the next release planned in early 2022, to ensure compliance of anti-doping programs worldwide and to maintain athlete confidence in the global anti-doping system.
In addition to these activities, WADA is also implementing a compliance monitoring program tailored towards the activities of Major Event Organizations (MEOs). This program will be introduced to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in advance of the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Requests and reminders to Signatories
As WADA rolls out the full Compliance Monitoring Program, Signatories may receive requests and reminders from different WADA departments and will continue to receive support from WADA, including from the Regional Offices. WADA will aim to ensure that the messaging is coordinated as much as possible; however, we thank Signatories in advance for responding to the relevant departments within the deadlines provided. While we conduct this program in a cooperative spirit, we wish to remind you that under the ISCCS, if deadlines are missed, the Signatory may be reported to WADA’s internal Compliance Taskforce, which may result in it being asserted non-compliant by the Executive Committee following a recommendation from the external, independent Compliance Review Committee.
Upcoming ADAMS enhancements to assist Signatories
To support Signatories with their compliance responsibilities, a number of new functions will be released in ADAMS as the ADAMS Next Gen project progresses. In particular, a new Test Distribution Plan (TDP) and Technical Document for Sport Specific Analysis (TDSSA) monitoring tool will be introduced in the coming weeks, which will enhance the efficiency of Signatories monitoring their TDP and TDSSA compliance in real-time.
Update on WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program
In addition to the excellent response from Signatories to increasing DCF entry in ADAMS from 60% in 2015 to 98% today, the following are some of the numerous collective achievements WADA wishes to share with Signatories:
Over 3,700 corrective actions have been implemented by Signatories to date following receipt of their CCQ Corrective Action Report (CAR).
Over 540 corrective actions have been implemented by Signatories to date following receipt of their audit CAR.
Several countries have introduced new legislation or amended their existing legislation to enhance their anti-doping programs through the Compliance Monitoring Program.
Under WADA’s enhanced Compliance Monitoring Program, only five Signatories have been declared non-compliant and three of these have been reinstated, thanks mainly to enhanced cooperation and coordination with WADA and other stakeholders.
Several Signatories have entered into partnerships with other Signatories to enhance their anti-doping programs.
WADA would like to thank all Signatories for the significant collective effort to date and looks forward to working with all involved in the continued development of the global anti-doping program.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have at compliance@wada-ama.org.
Best regards,
World Anti-Doping Agency
ATHLETE SESSION BRINGS TOGETHER MORE THAN 70 ATHLETES AND ATHLETE REPRESENTATIVES TO DISCUSS
CURRENT ISSUES AND PRIORITIES
Lausanne, 14 March 2019 – A crucial review of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and its associated International Standards, as well as compliance and capturing athletes’ views were among the main themes at the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) 15th Annual Symposium held this week in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The WADA Symposium, which is the leading fixture on the anti-doping calendar, gathered close to 900 delegates from the global anti-doping community for two days of presentations, interviews, panel discussions, practical workshops and networking sessions. Athlete representatives, International Sports Federations, government representatives, National and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations, Major Event Organizers, WADA-accredited laboratories and Athlete Passport Management Units, as well as international media and other stakeholders, gathered on 13 and 14 March under the theme “Towards 2021 – Navigating the Future Together”.
2021 will be the year when the latest revised and updated Code comes into effect and the world’s anti-doping stakeholders are currently finalizing the document in time for its ratification at the fifth World Conference on Doping in Sport, which will take place in November in Katowice, Poland. In addition, the Code’s various International Standards, including those related to results management, education, compliance, testing and investigations, therapeutic use exemptions, laboratories and privacy protection were discussed at length during the Symposium.
Athletes were well represented during the conference. In particular, around 75 athlete leaders gathered from around the world for a one-and-a-half-day session for them and their representatives. The session, which was hosted by WADA’s Athlete Committee, for the first time as part of the Agency’s Annual Symposium, reinforced the importance of athletes’ involvement in clean sport. Specifically, the session addressed topics such as increased athlete representation within WADA’s governance structure, the impact the proposed changes in the 2021 draft Code may have on athletes, and the upcoming launch of ADAMS Next Gen – the latest revamped and improved version of the system.
A Symposium highlight came as WADA’s Athlete Committee members Beckie Scott (Chair) and Ben Sandford gave an update in plenary session on the progress of the development of the Anti-Doping Charter of Athlete Rights, a topic that was also discussed at length during the athlete session.
The keynote address by WADA President Sir Craig Reedie on day one, entitled ‘Unity Will Be Our Strength’, set the tone for the Symposium as he reflected on the Russian doping scandal and on the progress made since the Executive Committee (ExCo) decision in September 2018 to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) as compliant with the Code.
Sir Craig noted that the all-important data recovered from the Moscow Laboratory in January this year, once authenticated, would be used to bring more cheats to justice for the good of clean sport while exonerating others. He also pointed out that the Russian scandal had prompted the establishment of new priorities and led to significant changes that had already equipped the Agency to better navigate situations of non-compliance with the Code, including the coming into force on 1 April 2018 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), which has considerably strengthened WADA’s legal framework around cases of non-compliance.
Sir Craig said: “In light of events that have occurred since the ExCo decision on RUSADA was made last September, it has been proven to be the right course of action. It is inarguable that accessing the laboratory data was a major step forward in this saga. Now we need to make sure this 24 terabytes of data is both complete and authentic.
“In case anyone had any doubts about the usefulness of the data from the Moscow Laboratory, some recent decisions from the Court of Arbitration for Sport put that into sharp focus and reinforced the importance of ensuring that due process is followed and that evidence is carefully presented.
“We are resolutely moving forward in our determination to protect clean sport. To continue to make impactful progress on all fronts, we need to work in partnership with everyone involved in anti-doping, whether that is athletes, National and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations, sports federations, governments, scientists, medical experts, educators and others. Division helps nobody except those trying to cheat. Unity will be our strength.”
Sir Craig went on to highlight enhanced intelligence and investigations activity as well as the ongoing success of WADA’s Speak Up! whistleblower program. He then flagged that WADA’s increased activities in these areas are being helped by the May 2018 decision of the Foundation Board to approve 8% budget increases for 2019-22.
WADA Director General, Olivier Niggli, took delegates through WADA’s strategic priorities, which in addition to those outlined by Sir Craig, included in particular: harmonizing Code rules via the 2021 Code Review and simultaneous review of the International Standards; the implementation of wide-ranging governance reforms, increasing scientific and social science research; enhancing education, most notably through the development of an International Standard for Education; capacity building of Anti-Doping Organizations; and the ongoing overhaul of WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS).
Niggli said: “The 2019 WADA Symposium has been a great opportunity for everyone in the anti-doping world to come together in a spirit of cooperation, to be brought up to date on the latest events and to influence the direction in which we are going.
“As the global regulator, this year’s Symposium has been very important for WADA as we put the finishing touches to the revised 2021 Code and associated International Standards that will be ratified at the World Conference on Doping in Sport later this year.”
Another highlight of the Symposium came on day one with a panel discussion entitled ‘Looking Back and Moving Forward Together’, which focused on improving the anti-doping system in light of the Russian crisis. Moderated by the CEO of British Rowing, Andy Parkinson, it featured representatives from the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Agency, the Government of Seychelles, UK Anti-Doping, the International Testing Agency, the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the Intelligence and Investigations Department of WADA.
With a backdrop of how the Russia situation affected the work of various anti-doping stakeholders, the lessons learned and the progress made since it came to light, the panel members discussed such issues as governance and funding of anti-doping bodies as well as the importance – and some of the goals and challenges – of scientific research, education, capacity building, compliance monitoring and investigations for the future integrity of sport.
Lastly, during the Symposium, participants heard a presentation on the consequences framework for the UNESCO Convention against Doping in Sport – currently in development – from Bram van Houten, Policy Adviser at the Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports, and a subsequent panel session that included Per Nylykke from the Danish Ministry of Culture, and Khalid Galant, CEO of the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport.
Montreal, 21 February 2019
Dear Colleagues,
Further to our communication of 10 December 2018 regarding the above-referenced, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) wishes to remind you that 4 March 2019 is the deadline to submit feedback for:
I. The third phase of the 2021 World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Review Process
II. The second phase of the International Standards (Standards) Review Process
III. The first phase of the Anti-Doping Charter of Athlete Rights (Charter)
The whole review process culminates with approval at WADA’s next World Conference on Doping in Sport, which is to be held in Katowice, Poland in November 2019; after which, the revised 2021 Code and Standards will take effect on 1 January 2021.
I. CODE REVIEW: THIRD REVIEW PHASE
The third review phase is of the second draft revised version of the Code that resulted from comments received from stakeholders during the second review phase. Accordingly, we attach:
- The Clean version of the Code (following the second review phase)
- Two Redline versions of the Code (Second draft v First draft and Second draft v Current Code)
- The Comments received from stakeholders during the second review phase
- The Summary of major proposed changes
II. INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS: SECOND REVIEW PHASE
In order to facilitate the review process, every Standard is listed below along with, where applicable, a Clean version, a Redline version, a Summary of major proposed changes and Comments received from stakeholders, all of which stem from the first round of consultation.
1. The International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) is undergoing its first major review since 2015 – although there were minor updates in 2016 and 2018.
Following examination of stakeholder feedback, a revised version of the document was drafted and presented to WADA’s Executive Committee (ExCo) in September 2018.
2. The International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), which took effect on 1 April 2018.
3. The International Standard for Education (ISE), which is a new Standard that WADA’s Foundation Board (Board) approved for development in November 2017. A first draft was published for public consultation in June 2018 after it was presented to WADA’s ExCo and Board in May 2018. Following consideration of the public comments and input received through the Global Education Conference held in October 2018, a second draft is now ready for stakeholder feedback.
4. The International Standard for Results Management (ISRM), which is a new Standard. The first draft was presented to WADA’s ExCo and Board in November 2018 and is now being circulated for stakeholder consultation. This Standard will undergo a second consultation phase following the May 2019 ExCo and Board meetings.
5. The International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information (ISPPPI), which is the new version adopted by WADA’s ExCo in May 2018 to ensure alignment with the main principles of the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation that came into force on 25 May 2018.
6. The International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI), which will undergo two full rounds of consultation. The ISTI was distributed for the first round of consultation with marked up text to two sections for reasons outlined below:
- Due to issues faced with sample collection equipment last year (2018), WADA appointed a small working group to enhance the criteria for equipment in the ISTI. Additional criteria have been included within Article 6.3.4 of a draft revised ISTI.
- Over the past few years, WADA has received input from stakeholders, particularly Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) experts and Athlete Passport Management Units (APMUs), which proposed changes to Annex L of the ISTI.
Following the first round of consultation on the ISTI, and consideration of all comments from stakeholders regarding changes to the above two sections of the Standard, WADA’s ExCo approved all proposed changes at their meeting in November 2018; and, the revised ISTI will come into effect on 1 March 2019.
7. The International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), which is a particular situation. It should be noted that a revised version (v.10.0) of the ISL was already circulated to WADA-accredited laboratories for comment from 2 March to 30 April 2018; and, a second version was circulated to all stakeholders from 14 July to 14 September 2018. This particular review of the ISL was triggered by some urgent changes that could not reasonably wait until 2021. However, the ISL v.10.0 was not approved by the WADA ExCo as presented at its meeting in November 2018. The ExCo requested that the ISL v.10.0 be subject to a further round of stakeholder consultation before it could be considered for approval in May 2019. If approved, it is foreseen that the ISL v.10.0 will come into force in late 2019. The ISL may then undergo further revision in 2020 to bring it in line with the 2021 Code.
8. The International Standard for the Prohibited List is not part of the review process as it is reviewed annually via a separate stakeholder consultation.
As is the case for the Code Review, each Standard has dedicated drafting teams comprised of senior WADA staff and external experts that act as the review secretariat.
[Note: At this point, the Code and Standard documents are available in English only.]
III. ANTI-DOPING CHARTER OF ATHLETE RIGHTS: FIRST AND ONLY REVIEW PHASE
The goal of the Charter, which has been developed by WADA’s Athlete Committee, is to clearly outline athlete rights with respect to the fight against doping in sport. While athletes’ responsibilities towards clean sport are set out in the Code, the Charter aims to further support athletes worldwide in their right to compete in clean, ethical and fair sport.
The Charter is a standalone document. This latest draft includes a section containing 'actual' rights and a section containing 'aspirational' rights, with the 'actual rights' being referenced to the relevant sections of the Code or the International Standards.
The idea of developing the Charter was first tested by WADA’s Athlete Committee at WADA’s Annual Symposium in March 2017. After being well received by Symposium participants, the Committee followed up by conducting a global athlete survey as to its desired content. Since then, the Charter has been presented for discussion and feedback at various WADA events in 2018; including, the 2018 Annual Symposium in March; the first Global Athlete Forum in June; the ExCo and Board meetings in November; and, the various meetings of the Code Drafting Team.
WADA particularly encourages athletes to comment on the draft Charter which is now available for review in English, French and Spanish.
TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK
As indicated above, we would ask you to propose recommendations no later than 4 March 2019 via WADAConnect, the Agency’s online consultation platform. Easy to use, WADAConnect will prompt you to create a user account and input your comments regarding aspects of the Code and/or Standards and/or Charter that are of particular interest to you. For more information related to WADAConnect, please refer to the simple user guide.
Stakeholders are asked, to the extent possible, to draw on practical experiences and propose recommendations that would benefit the fight for clean sport worldwide. In addition, stakeholders are asked to be as specific and clear as possible when making submissions, i.e. by proposing text to replace the existing text.
Please note that, in the interest of transparency, WADA will publish all comments on its website at the end of each phase of the consultation process; and that, unless otherwise notified, stakeholder credentials (i.e. username, organization and organization type) will be posted along with the comments.
We look forward to receiving your feedback. The high quality of stakeholder feedback that was collected during the 2009 and 2015 Code Review Processes was instrumental to ensuring that the Code be strengthened over time in protection of clean sport.
Best regards,
World Anti-Doping Agency
