WADA to Oversee Doping Controls During Tour de France

The World Anti-Doping Agency and the UCI have reached agreement that will allow some supervision over doping controls carried out during the forthcoming Tour de France which begins in Rotterdam on 3rd July.

The agreement will allow an independent WADA panel to observe all elements of the anti-doping process including selection of riders to be tested to the final management of analysis and results. The UCI had previously requested that independent observers attend the Tour de France back in October 2009.

Until last year, the Tour de France had been plagued with doping positives. After calls for transparency from fans, they will feel vindicated that such an agreement has been reached in the run up to this years edition.

In a joint statement between both parties, WADA President John Fahey said, “The presence of Independent Observers at major sporting events contributes to strengthen the protection provided to clean athletes and to enhance their confidence, as well as the public’s confidence, in the doping control and results management processes. Independent Observers conduct their mission in a neutral and unbiased manner and subsequently publish a report with their observations. We thank UCI for inviting Independent Observers at the Tour de France.”

It is fundamental that full transparency is implemented during the largest event on the cycling calendar. The Tour de France organisors, ASO, had previously come under fire from France’s national anti-doping agency, the AFLD, alleging that certain riders and teams had received preferential treatment relating to anti-doping controls carried out in the event’s 2009 edition.

The last time WADA sent a team of independent observers to the Tour de France was in 2003. As a result, certain new measures were implemented the following year which included the introduction of chaperones for riders during doping controls.