Montreal, 23 February 2021

Dear Colleagues,

Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publishes a new Question and Answer (Q&A) document for athletes related to anti-doping and COVID-19, which is an update to the last version that the Agency published on 25 May 2020.

The Q&A addresses matters such as the following -- reflecting the evolving nature of the pandemic; the changing testing environment; and, the fact that a growing number of Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) have resumed normal testing.

• Testing during COVID-19
• Minimizing the risk of contracting or transmitting the virus
• Filing of whereabouts information
• Validating Therapeutic Use Exemptions
• Maintaining the integrity of the global anti-doping system
• Impact of COVID-19 vaccines
• Confidence in the anti-doping system

The Q&A will continue to be updated to provide the latest information to athletes on how testing programs may evolve by integrating further health precautions to protect both clean sport and the health of athletes and sample collection personnel alike. WADA has also provided extensive guidance to ADOs, to ensure that testing is carried out in a secure manner, while respecting regional public health guidelines. The latest such document is the Agency’s ADO Guidance for Testing during COVID-19 Pandemic of 25 November 2020. Athletes who wish to know more about what specific measures their International Sport Federation (IF) or National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) are taking in the face of this unprecedented challenge are encouraged to contact them directly.

WADA also invites athletes and others to register for the upcoming webinar, titled 2021 COVID-19 and Clean Sport Update, which will be held on 25 February from 13-14:00 EST; and, will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on athletes and the anti-doping system.

Athletes can rest assured that WADA and the anti-doping community will continue to meet the challenges with their health, and that of all involved in clean sport, front-of mind.

Best regards,
World Anti-Doping Agency