The world anti-doping code: A South African perspective

During February 2003 the World Anti-Doping Agency adopted the World-Anti Doping Code in Copenhagen in an effort to create and independent anti-doping body and to co-ordinate the harmonisation of doping regulations. The Code encompasses the principles around which the anti-doping effort in sport will revolve in future and has since been adopted by the International Olympic Committee. Many countries, including South Africa, are signatories to the Copenhagen Declaration that was adopted at the same time in an effort to involve governments in the fight against doping in sport. This commentary deals with the effect and possible legal implications of this Code in the South African context and endeavours to show that unless the purpose of doping control is more clearly defined, the Code will not be effective in a human rights culture