114 Athlete Support Personnel have ‘disqualifying status’ under new ‘Prohibited Association’ rule

Montreal, Sept 14, 2015 – As part of its role in providing guidance to anti-doping organisations, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) today published a global list of Athlete Support Personnel who are currently suspended from working with Athletes or other Persons under the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code’s new, ‘Prohibited Association’ (Article 2.10) rule.

The Prohibited Association List, which has been created based on case decisions and information provided by Anti-Doping Organisations (ADOs), illustrates that 114 Athlete Support Personnel worldwide are disqualified from working with Athletes or other Persons pursuant to Article 2.10 of the Code.

Under the Prohibited Association rule, Athletes and other Persons are prohibited from working with Athlete Support Personnel that are currently sanctioned, or have been sanctioned within the previous six years, for an anti-doping rule violation. For an Athlete or other Person to be found in violation of the Prohibited Association rule, they must have previously been advised in writing of the Person’s ‘disqualifying status’ by the applicable ADO or by WADA.

“WADA is increasingly of the belief that athletes do not dope alone, and that often there is a member of their entourage encouraging them to cheat” said WADA President, Sir Craig Reedie.

“This new ‘Prohibited Association’ rule sends a clear message to athletes: do not associate with individuals that have breached anti-doping rules as they could encourage you to cheat the system and to rob your fellow athletes of their right to clean sport,” added Reedie.

“By publishing this List, WADA is helping athletes know which individuals to evade if they are to avoid violating the rules themselves. This List will also assist ADOs as it is their responsibility to advise their athletes of the support personnel that have ‘disqualifying status’ and the consequences of such association.”

The list will be updated on WADA’s website on a quarterly basis, or more frequently as new information is provided by ADOs.

Full details on Prohibited Association can be found under Article 2.10 of the World Anti-Doping Code. Athletes can also read more about the rule in the Athlete’s Reference Guide to the Code (p.9). —- WADA