World Anti‑Doping Agency and Doping in Sport

Why in news?

India topped the World Anti‑Doping Agency’s list of doping offences for the third straight year, with 260 athletes testing positive in 2024. Although preliminary data from 2025 show improvement, the figures highlight ongoing challenges in combating drug use in sports.

Background

The World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA) was established in 1999 by the International Olympic Committee and governments worldwide. Its mission is to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight against doping in sports across all nations. WADA develops anti‑doping rules, conducts scientific research, and provides education and technical assistance to sports bodies and national authorities. It is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, with regional offices around the world.

WADA’s structure and responsibilities

• Governance: WADA’s Foundation Board comprises representatives from governments and the Olympic Movement. The Executive Committee handles daily operations and policy implementation.
• Prohibited List: Each year WADA publishes a list of banned substances and methods. This list is used by national anti‑doping organisations and international sports federations to carry out testing and enforce sanctions.
• Testing and laboratories: The agency accredits laboratories worldwide to perform drug testing on athletes. It also oversees the athlete biological passport, which tracks blood and urine markers over time to detect doping.
• Education and outreach: WADA provides resources for athletes, coaches and medical professionals on the risks of doping and the importance of fair play. Outreach programmes help discourage the use of performance‑enhancing drugs.

Doping in India

• India recorded 260 positive tests from around 7,200 samples in 2024, giving a positivity rate of about 3.6 percent. China had far fewer positive tests relative to the number of samples.
• Reasons for high numbers include unscrupulous coaches, athletes seeking quick success, and limited awareness about banned substances. In some cases, contaminated supplements have also led to positive tests.
• Preliminary figures from 2025 show around 110 positive cases out of over 7,000 samples (roughly 1.5 percent), suggesting improvement. Nevertheless, anti‑doping education and strict enforcement remain necessary.