The reform train is underway at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Meeting in Paris in hybrid mode, the Council of its foundation adopted, Thursday, November 25, a series of changes aimed in particular at giving athletes a more important voice in the decision-making process. In detail, the executive committee has been expanded, with the addition of two new seats. One of the two will be awarded to an athlete representative. WADA also approved the creation of an independent ethics committee. Finally, the representation of athletes is evolving: the former athletes' committee becomes an athletes' council, the 20 members of which will now all be chosen by their peers, and no longer designated by WADA. A progress ? For sure. But several groups of athletes consider the reforms still too timid. And they make it known. They criticize in particular the fact that decision-making power still remains too concentrated in the hands of the IOC, which alone provides half of WADA's financing. “ To be considered legitimate, WADA should not be controlled or directed by anyone with a direct interest in the sports ecosystem.", suggests a press release written by four athletes' associations, including Global Athlete, a movement initiated in particular by former British track rider Callum Skinner.
