Montreal, 25 February 2020

Dear Colleagues,
 
In order to encourage maximum participation of athletes, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to extend the registration deadline to 11 March for athletes wishing to attend the Agency’s Annual Symposium, which will be held at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, Switzerland from 17-18 March; and, more importantly, the dedicated Athlete Session that will be held on 19 March at the same venue. It should be noted that athlete registration is free of charge.
 
The WADA Symposium, which is the main event on the global anti-doping calendar, gathers anti-doping practitioners from around the world and provides them with the opportunity to interact and learn from one another. This year’s Symposium will once again welcome athletes, representatives from Anti-Doping Organizations, Governments, WADA-accredited Laboratories and Athlete Passport Management Units; as well as, other stakeholders such as the media, researchers and service providers — all that are integral to clean sport.

Under the theme “Bringing the 2021 Code and Standards into action”, the 2020 Symposium will open with remarks by WADA’s President, Witold Bańka, and Director General, Olivier Niggli; and, thereafter, aim to assist World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Signatories in their adjustment to, and implementation of, the 2021 Code and International Standards (Standards), which will enter into force on 1 January 2021.
 
Athlete Session

As it relates to the dedicated Athlete Session on 19 March, WADA is pleased to publish the day’s Program Agenda. Under the leadership of WADA’s Athlete Committee, the Agency will once again welcome participation of athlete representatives and administrators of athlete representative bodies. The session will be divided between plenary-style and breakout sessions, in order to facilitate the conversation between athletes. The day will conclude with a session where athletes will be able to ask questions to WADA’s new leadership.
 
Anti-Doping Organizations are kindly asked to encourage the participation of athlete representatives, who are invited to participate in the Symposium and in the Athlete Session free of charge, in order to maximize athlete attendance and voices. With former elite athletes Witold Bańka and Yang Yang having assumed their roles as WADA President and Vice-President on 1 January 2020, a strong focus will be put on athletes’ engagement in the protection of Clean Sport during these three days.

Registration

Anti-Doping Organizations wishing to register athletes for the Symposium and/or the Athlete Session can do so on the Symposium Website before 11 March. It should be noted that, because we are encouraging athlete participation, their participation is not included in the maximum number of registrations allowed per organization. The website contains all relevant information regarding the event, including the program, how to register, and how to book hotel accommodations.
 
WADA looks forward to welcoming all athletes and other stakeholders in Lausanne as the Agency partners to bring the 2021 Code and Standards into action.
 
Best regards,

World Anti-Doping Agency