WADA publishes 2021 Code Compliance Annual Report

To optimise for archiving, the original image and related documents associated with this article have been removed.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has published the 2021 Code Compliance Annual Report.

The Report outlines the key achievements and challenges from the last year whilst also identifying areas where improvement can be made so that the global anti-doping system is as efficient as possible.

WADA’s Associate Director of Compliance, Rules and Standards, Kevin Haynes said “WADA’s 2021 Compliance Annual Report provides stakeholders with important insight and transparency into WADA’s Compliance Monitoring Program. The Report covers a unique and resource-intensive period of time for WADA and the World Anti-Doping Code Signatories; most notably, introduction of the 2021 Code and International Standards as well as resumption of compliance procedures previously frozen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We recognize that Signatories were also required to adjust their anti-doping programs and priorities in light of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games that took place in 2021 and to comply with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decision on the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA).”

He added “We wish to acknowledge Code Signatories for responding to the requirements and also wish to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) for its advice and input on identifying trends and best practice when it comes to reporting on WADA’s compliance activities.”

Some key findings include:

  • A backlog of cases that were previously frozen during the pandemic led to a record number of annual compliance procedures which created some resource challenges for WADA
  • No Signatory appealed to CAS suggesting that WADA correctly implemented the Code 
  • NADO’s generated more non-conformities than IF’s and took longer to implement corrective actions

The 2021 Compliance Annual Report can be accessed here

You may also like

View All

Pinned Article

Sport Resolutions Annual Conference 2026: Early Bird Tickets Now on Sale

Early Bird tickets for the Sport Resolutions 11th Annual Conference are now available. Join leading sport and legal professionals in London on 7 May 2026 for a full day of discussion, insight, and networking

Read More

Vonn incident raises questions surrounding athlete autonomy

Following American athlete Lindsey Vonn’s horrific crash during the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics where she broke her leg, questions have arisen surrounding athlete autonomy as Vonn decided to compete after suffering another injury just over a week prior

Read More

How to Manage Athlete Selection

On 13 March 2026, Sport Resolutions will be hosting an event on athlete selection which will focus on the elements required for an effective selection process, and cover guidance on how to achieve and deliver a fair process, as well as considerations in drafting an athlete selection policy and running a selection appeal procedure

Read More