WADA Lauds IPC's Anti-Doping Efforts at Paris 2024 Paralympics

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has expressed its satisfaction with the findings of the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) Independent Observer (IO) team, which recently released a report commending the IPC's anti-doping program for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This assessment follows the Games held from August 28 to September 8, 2024, where the IPC's measures were notably scrutinized for their effectiveness and transparency.

WADA's Independent Observer program is designed to monitor and enhance the integrity of sporting events by ensuring fair and transparent anti-doping processes. The five-member team, assigned to evaluate the IPC's anti-doping strategies, emphasized the successful implementation of a comprehensive testing program that recorded the highest number of doping tests ever undertaken at a Paralympic event.

According to the report, a total of 2,677 samples were collected during the Games, from which 1,988 doping control tests were conducted, resulting in 33 Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs). Notably, nine of these cases were pursued, while 24 were resolved through valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) or permitted routes.

Jude Ellis, Head of Anti-Doping at the IPC, highlighted the significance of the IO team's oversight in reinforcing the credibility of the IPC's efforts. “The IPC welcomed the IO Team’s involvement at the Paris Games. Their presence provided an assurance, in real time, that we were delivering a robust and transparent anti-doping programme,” Ellis stated. He further noted the collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including the IPC, the Paris 2024 Local Organizing Committee, and the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), which contributed to the program's success.

The WADA report contained 13 commendations for the IPC, acknowledging the proactive measures taken to address potential doping risks. Among these was the establishment of the IPC's first pre-Games Anti-Doping Task Force, which played a crucial role in identifying gaps in athlete testing prior to the Games. The report also recognized the quality of IPC’s Doping Control Guide for Testing Athletes in Para Sport and the launch of a Medication Check tool designed to help athletes navigate medication-related doping risks.

The Independent Observers also made 31 recommendations aimed at enhancing the anti-doping infrastructure for future events. These included suggestions for IPC, WADA, and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) to consider in order to further fortify the anti-doping framework at upcoming Paralympic Games.

As the IPC looks forward to the Milano-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, preparations are already underway, with the establishment of a new pre-Games Anti-Doping Taskforce. This initiative aims to ensure an effective and coordinated testing program for athletes competing in the Winter Games.

In summary, the WADA Independent Observer's report serves as a validation of the IPC's commitment to promoting clean sport and maintaining the integrity of competitions for athletes with disabilities, reinforcing the importance of a collaborative approach to anti-doping efforts in the realm of para sports.