Johannesburg Declaration on Doping in Sport

Concerned by the persistent threat that doping in sport represents, in total contradiction with the spirit of sport and to the detriment of the health of athletes;

Emphasising the need to protect all clean athletes, to preserve the integrity of sport competitions and to ensure a level playing field;

Appreciating with gratitude the support given and active role played by the Olympic and Sports Movement, the Governments and the other stakeholders in the fight against doping in sport;

Disturbed by the fact that not only athletes, but also their entourage, including agents, coaches, medical and scientific personnel as well as other professionals, continue to be involved in doping activities;

Alarmed by the increased involvement of organized crime in doping in sport;

Grieved by the use of a wide variety of drugs, counterfeit drugs and illicit substances for non-therapeutic purposes, in particular by athletes and young people;

Emphasising the need to encourage more investigations into doping practices as a complement to efficient testing programs; Insisting that the sharing of information between the Olympic and Sports Movement and Governments, including National Anti-Doping Organizations, is absolutely necessary to increase the efficiency of the fight against doping in sport;

Stressing the need to increase and intensify the complementary and joint efforts of the Olympic and Sports Movement, National Anti-Doping Organizations, Governments, Inter-governmental and Non -governmental Organizations in the fight against doping in sport;

Convinced that new resources and partners for cooperation need to be mobilized in order to secure further scientific research to strengthen the fight against doping in sport;

Insisting that all athletes and their entourage from every country and in all sports receive the anti-doping education they deserve and require, with clear division of responsibility between stakeholders;

Reaffirming that the adoption, implementation and review of the World Anti-Doping Code are essential steps for an effective fight against doping in sport; Recognising that the World Anti-Doping Code has proven to be an effective instrument for the fight against doping in sport;

Commending the 176 countries that have ratified the UNESCO Convention against doping in sport as of 1 October 2013 and encouraging all remaining countries to ratify such convention;

Expecting effective compliance with the UNESCO Convention and the World Anti-Doping Code through enforceable laws and rules as well as through an effective monitoring of program quality;

Expressing deep gratitude to the Government and the people of South Africa for hosting this Conference.

The World Conference

As to the Review and Amendment of the World Anti-Doping Code

1. Views with appreciation the approvalby the WADA Foundation Board of the revised World Anti-Doping Code (2015 Code), which will enter into force on January 1st, 2015, following a thorough, open and transparent global consultation process.

As to the World Anti-Doping Agency

2. Commends WADA for its remarkable, efficient and progressive leadership in the fight against doping;
3. Confirmsits full support for WADA as the independent leader in the fight against doping;
4. Urges that compliance standards for anti-doping programs be raised and monitored more on quality than quantity;
5. Endorsesthe reiterated commitment by the Olympic Movement and Governments to provide equal funding (50% each) of WADA’s approved annual core budget and stresses the need to seek and provide additional resources.

As to the involvement of the National and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations

6. Requires National and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations, to implement and be fully compliant with the 2015 Code.

As to the involvement of Governments

7. Requires Governments to put into place effective and enforceable legislation, regulations and procedures;
8. Supports the commitment of Governments to develop practices and policies to reinforce cooperation, including inter-governmental cooperation and the sharing of information, in particular with the Olympic and Sports Movement;
9. Encourages Governments of countries without a National Anti-Doping Organization to establish one or to join a Regional Anti-Doping Organization in cooperation with their National Olympic Committee.

As to the involvement of the Olympic and Sports Movement

10. Requires the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, International Sports Federations, National Olympic Committees, National Paralympic Committees and Major Event Organizations to implement and be fully compliant with the 2015 Code;
11. Emphasises the need for closer cooperation at all levels between the Olympic and Sports Movement on the one hand and Governments and all other concerned parties on the other.

As to the further involvement of all Signatories and other interested parties

12. Insists on the need for all stakeholders to urgently intensify the fight against doping, to mobilize the required resources to that effect and to assist in providing WADA with adequate funding.

Declaration

The Johannesburg World Conference on Doping in Sport reaffirms that the ultimate objective of the fight against doping in sport is the protection of all clean athletes and that all concerned parties should commit all required resources and resolve to achieve that objective by intensifying the fight.