Whereabouts Controversy
The current anti-doping code revised the "Whereabouts" system in place since 2004, now requiring athletes to select one hour per day, seven days a week to be available for no-notice drugs tests.
This has led to a legal challenge from Sporta, the Belgian sports union, who argue that the system violates Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
FIFPro is also preparing a challenge based on data protection and employment law.
A significant number of sports organizations, governments, athletes, and other individuals and organizations have expressed support for the new Whereabouts requirements. The International Association of Athletics Federations and UK Sport are two of the most vocal supporters of this rule. Tennis all-time great Roger Federer has also expressed approval for rigorous testing saying that "the guy is cheating and they are smart, right?" Both FIFA and UEFA have criticized the system citing privacy concerns, as has the BCCI.
WADA has also published a Q&A explaining the rationale for the change.
It was revealed in May 2011 that the National Football League, which had previously resisted more stringent drug testing may allow WADA to conduct its drug tests instead of doing it in house. This could lead the way to testing for HGH, which had previously been without testing in professional American football.
Read more about this topic: World Anti-Doping Agency
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