The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) recently partnered with the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) to host the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Global Education Conference in Beijing, China. The Conference united anti-doping organizations worldwide in a collaborative effort to elevate anti-doping education, while also highlighting the need for greater athlete involvement to ensure that the system represents those it’s designed to serve.
“We were honored to be invited to co-host the Educational Conference and greatly appreciate WADA and CHINADA for including us and so many organizations from around the world,” said USADA CEO Travis T. Tygart. “These diverse perspectives are critical to advancing the quality of international standards and we’re excited about the current direction of WADA’s International Standard for Education. But most importantly, we are committed to continuing to solicit and incorporate athletes’ perspectives.”
With global anti-doping organizations gathered together, the Conference facilitated productive revisions to the draft document that will help establish a baseline 
for anti-doping education that all WADA Code signatories will eventually be expected to uphold. During the Conference, attendees also focused on how anti-doping organizations with varying levels of resources can work together to build and grow effective anti-doping education programs, in part by sharing resources and solutions.
“This Conference further solidified our resolve to collaborate with anti-doping organizations to ensure we are creating and sharing the best resources to better serve athletes,” said Dr. Jennifer Royer, USADA’s TrueSport and Olympic Education Director.
While anti-doping is often known for testing and results management, the Global Education Conference reinforced the value of investing in anti-doping education, which has the potential to cultivate a culture of clean sport and shift the anti-doping paradigm.
“Through effective anti-doping education, the value of sport and the irreplaceable, authentic moments created on a level playing field can thrive, unmarred by the threat of doping,” said USADA Board Member Dr. Douglas Beal. “Similar to how effective health care places an emphasis on prevention to reduce the need and costs associated with treatment, we all must invest in anti-doping education to create a reality in which detection becomes secondary and prevention prevails.”
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is recognized by the United States Congress as the official anti-doping organization for all Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American, and Para Pan American sport in the United States. In addition, USADA is recognized by the UFC as its official, independent anti-doping agency. USADA is dedicated to preserving the integrity of competition, inspiring true sport, and protecting the rights of athletes. Learn more at www.USADA.org.
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