INTERVIEW
"The bar is not open". The tone may sound light, but it is actually very firm. In these times of confinement where world sport is completely at a standstill with the postponements of the biggest international competitions, be it the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the Euro of football which was to take place in 12 countries of the European continent or even the Roland-Garros Grand Slam tournament, WADA, the World Anti-Doping Agency, wishes to recall that it was continuing its mission. "It was important to clarify that anti-doping programs are not suspended", insists Olivier Niggli, the director general of the instance on Europe 1.
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"We are at 40, even 30% of the usual speed"
Olivier Niggli admits however that "the AMA is only at 40, even 30% of the usual speed", adding: "Let us be realistic compared to what is happening. This does not mean, however, that cheating is inevitably easy. There are other weapons than the tests for the fight against doping. There is the passport of the athlete, there are the investigations. The fight against doping is not necessarily at stop."
A fight always hand in hand with national authorities, like the AFLD (French Agency for the fight against doping) in France for example. "We have made a number of recommendations for organizations that still have the opportunity to do some testing." The athletes were also informed that they could be checked during the confinement period. "Potentially, if the health authorities allow it, they (the athletes, note ) are likely to be tested and they must know it. They must be ready to participate in a test session, if it should happen as far as precautions are taken, "says Olivier Niggli.
Athletes cannot refuse a doping control
The Director General of WADA is categorical: "It is important to draw attention to the fact that they cannot say: 'No, I refuse to be tested today because there is the Covid '. If precautions are taken and the health authorities allow this kind of operation, they have an obligation to stick to it, "he said. "Likewise, we continue to ask them to provide their whereabouts, because as soon as health constraints are lifted, the program is likely to restart immediately."
The World Agency is not fooled, it knows very well that some will try to use prohibited products during this particular period, even if there are no competitions to come for at least two to three months. "If you dope today, you dope for an event, but since there is no competition, the effects will be nonexistent or less. It is a state of mind, most athletes will not cheat, and will not do it whether the controls are there or not ", however wants to believe Olivier Niggli.
Before conceding, somewhat fatalistic: "But obviously there are fewer tests and a person who would like to try would be more likely than in normal times." WADA and Olivier Niggli hope for a quick return to normal, and remain rather "optimistic that the anti-doping programs will be able to cover the part of the shortcomings" linked to the period of containment, adding: "We will have a robust program well before the end of the year."