January 30, 2007 – As part of their ongoing consultation process, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has released the First Draft Revision of the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC) for review and comment. This draft is a result of extensive consultation with partners and experts. The basis for the draft is the existing World Anti-Doping Code 2003.

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is a signatory of the WADC and the IPC Anti-Doping Committee is currently reviewing the WADC and will present its feedback to WADA. The first Draft Revision of the World Anti-Doping Code has now been posted on the official WADA website at www.wada-ama-org (under WADA News). This document is the result of direct feedback from and face-to-face meetings with stakeholders as part of the first of three consultation phases.

The Second Draft Revision of the Code, incorporating material received during this second consultation phase, will be circulated for review in June 2007. Final acceptance of the revised World Anti-Doping Code is scheduled to occur during the World Conference on Doping in Sport, to be hosted in Madrid, Spain, on 15 to 17 November 2007.

As a signatory of the WADC, the IPC remains committed to a doping free sporting environment at all levels. The IPC, together with the International Federations and the National Paralympic Committees, established the IPC Anti-Doping Code (January 2004) to prevent, in the spirit of fair play, doping in sport for athletes with a disability and in conformity with the general principles of the WADC.

The IPC invites its Membership to contribute to the WADC Revision process. All information can be found on the WADA website or for more information, please contact IPC Medical and Scientific Director, Peter van de Vliet at peter.vandevliet@paralympic.org.