Ways to Improve and Strengthen the International Anti-Doping System

In the early 1900s, mixtures of heroin, cocaine, and other substances became prevalent among athletes. Over time, especially following the introduction of anti-doping testing at the Olympics in the 1970s, the drugs have become more sophisticated and the cheaters more creative. Despite improvements in global anti-doping efforts at the turn of the century with the establishment of the World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, the fight for clean sport remains an uphill battle. Another doping scandal has now shaken the sporting world. This time it involves a wide-ranging Russian scheme to circumvent doping controls relied on by the global sports community to ensure clean sport. After delays in investigating serious claims made by whistleblowers, the World Anti-Doping Agency, or WADA, eventually launched investigations into allegations that Russia was systematically involved in doping. In July and December of 2016, Professor Richard McLaren, the person commissioned by WADA as the independent expert tasked with looking into these allegations, released his findings. What WADA's independent investigations reported was a systematic effort by Russia to help its athletes both dope and circumvent doping controls. The doping was widespread according to WADA's report, implicating the London Olympic Games, the Sochi Olympic Games, the IAAF World Championships, and many other international events. The full extent of the cheating and who benefited may never be known. As many as 1,000 Russian athletes across at least 30 sports might have benefited from this effort according to WADA's investigation.