22 July 08

Update of Office of the Privacy Commissioner own motion investigation - Medicare pilot

On 30 June 2008 the Australian Privacy Commissioner (OPC), contacted ASADA outlining three recommendations to assist ASADA in its future information handling practices.

These recommendations arose out of an own motion investigation initiated by the OPC into the pilot program with Medicare for provision of information.

On 11 July 2008, ASADA’s Chair, Richard Ings formally responded to the OPC, welcoming the three recommendations and committing ASADA to action them as follows.

In future ASADA will ensure that it will seek appropriate advice on privacy issues and consider such advice carefully prior to determining if any disclosure is specifically authorised under the ASADA Act or under the National Anti-Doping Scheme.

ASADA will also review and seek OPC input on the security notice in our Doping Control and Athlete Whereabouts forms, and will delete the phrase “accepts no responsibility for the misuse of…” from such forms

ASADA will also review the wording on both these forms to ensure that the following principles are clearly stated:

1. the purpose for which ASADA is specifically collecting the information;
2. ASADA’s legal authority to collect such information; and
3. who the information will be shared with.

These notices are currently being reviewed as a matter of priority and ASADA will seek any input OPC can provide on the final wording.

21 July 08

Ice Hockey Australia issues warning and reprimand to athlete for use of Finasteride

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) today acknowledged the decision by Ice Hockey Australia (IHA) to issue a warning and reprimand to visiting Canadian ice hockey player Thomas Yawney for use of a prohibited substance.

Mr Yawney tested positive to the prohibited substance Finasteride in an in-competition sample collected by ASADA at the Boondal Ice Rink, Brisbane on 23 June 2007.

IHA were satisfied that Mr Yawney was using the substance for legitimate medical reasons and therefore was not attempting to enhance performance or mask the use of a performance enhancing substance. Therefore the IHA determined that a warning and a reprimand was the most appropriate sanction in this instance.

This case is a further reminder to athletes to be mindful of the status of their medications under the WADA Code and to always get their doctor to check whether a Therapeutic Use Exemption is required.

To assist athletes, ASADA distributes the ASADA Information Card 2008 (downloadable from the ASADA website at www.asada.gov.au/resources/publications/index.htm) which lists all the prohibited substances under the Code plus instructions on obtaining TUE’s.

ASADA has distributed over 4000 of these information cards to athletes and their support personnel so far in 2008.

ASADA advises athletes to show their doctor or pharmacist the ASADA Information Card prior to receiving any medications.

Any athlete unaware of their responsibilities is also advised to seek additional information from the ASADA website at www.asada.gov.au, or to call the ASADA Anti-Doping Hotline on 1800 020 506 for more information.

21 Feb 08

Strongest-ever doping protection for Aussie Olympians

The most rigorous anti-doping measures ever will protect Australia’s team heading to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, said today. See the full media release at
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/ministers/publishing.nsf/
Content/mr-yr08-ke-ke002.htm?OpenDocument&yr=2008&mth=2

30 Jan 08

Use of Finasteride and Cannabinoids (e.g. Marijuana) can be Doping

Athletes should make themselves aware of the doping status of Finasteride and cannabinoids. See the full news item at http://www.asada.gov.au/news/issues/index.htm

24 Jul 07

More resources to combat drugs in sport

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) will receive an additional $2.24 million in 2006–07 to increase its capacity to investigate drug use in sport. See the full media release at http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/brandis/media/media_releases/2007/ increased_funding_for_australian_sports_anti-doping_authority_investigations

15 Feb 07

ASADA Seminars: Pure Performance in Sport
Audience: Elite level athletes and support staff

Locations: Canberra, Hobart and Launceston
Dates: 26 Feb, 3 & 4 Apr 07
Venues: See details on the Events Diary page
Times: 6:15 - 8:00pm. See details on the Events Diary page

13 Nov 06

ASADA Seminars: Pure Performance in Sport
Audience: Elite level athletes and support staff

Locations: Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Sydney
Dates: 27 Nov 06, 4 Dec 06, 6 Dec 06, and 7 Dec 06
Venues: See details on the Events Diary page
Times: 6:30 - 8:00pm

6 Nov 06

News: World Anti-Doping Code 2007 Prohibited List released

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has released the World Anti-Doping Code 2007 Prohibited List which will come into effect on 1st January 2007.

The 2007 Prohibited List, Summary of Major Modifications and 2007 Monitoring Program are available from the WADA website.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority strongly recommends all athletes review the status of all medications and substances each year.

26 Jun 06

News: UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport

The UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport was tabled in the Federal Parliament on 9 November 2005. Following a public hearing into the Convention by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, the Executive Council approved Australia's accession to the Convention. On 17 January 2006 the UNESCO Director-General accepted Australia's instrument of accession.

As at 22 June 2006, 13 countries had formally ratified/acceded to the Convention - Sweden, Denmark, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Australia, Monaco, Iceland, the Cook Islands, Nigeria, Latvia, Nauru and the United Kingdom. The Convention will come into force on the first day of the month one month after 30 countries have ratified.

More information can be found on the UNESCO website at: www.unesco.org/en/antidoping.

13 Apr 06

New employment opportunities

ASADA currently has several new employment opportunities including Group Director Enforcement.

6 Apr 06

Correction: Statement re incorrect substance information on the ASADA website

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority launched its website on 14 March 2006.

Unfortunately, in the transference of information from the old ASDA site, some errors were discovered in the recording of certain medications listed on the new ASADA website. All errors were removed from the website on 28 March 2006.

All persons who may have relied on the substance information contained on the website in the period 14 March 2006 to 28 March 2006 should immediately re-access the website to confirm the accuracy of any information relied upon.

ASADA apologises for any inconvenience this may have caused. Should there be any particular concern, contact can be made via the ASADA Hotline 1800 020 506 for further confirmation.

14 Mar 06

Minister launches ASADA in Melbourne

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator the Hon. Rod Kemp, has formally launched ASADA today in Melbourne. Access the full media release on the DCITA website at: http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/kemp/media/media_releases/ new_sports_anti-doping_body_enhances_australias_reputation

19 Jul 05

AFL to become WADA code compliant

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator the Hon. Rod Kemp, has welcomed the announcement by the AFL that they will become WADA code compliant by 1 November 2005. Access the full media release on the DCITA website at http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/kemp/media#mr.

29 Jun 05

Cricket, Rugby League sign up to WADA Code

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, announced on 30 June that Cricket Australia and the National Rugby League will sign up to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. Access the full media release on the DCITA website at http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/kemp/media#mr.

28 Jun 05

New CEO for ASDA

Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA) Chair, Dr Brian Sando, has welcomed the announcement by the Federal Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator the Hon Rod Kemp, of the appointment of Mr Richard Ings as ASDA’s new Chief Executive. For more information see ASDA's media release New CEO to lead the fight against doping. Also see the Minister's the full media release New chief executive for Australian Sports Drug Agency on the DCITA website at http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/kemp/media#mr.

23 Jun 05

New body to take up the fight against drugs in sport

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, has announced that the Government will establish a new independent body to take up the fight against drugs in sport in Australia. Senator Kemp said the new Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) would provide a new independent body to ensure all doping allegations are fully and rigorously investigated. Access the full media release on the DCITA website at http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/kemp/media#mr.

19 May 05

Use of caffeine in sport

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, has said the Australian Government would do everything possible to assist the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in its assessment of the use of caffeine by elite athletes. Access the full media release on the DCITA website at http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/kemp/media#mr.

13 May 05

Australian Sports Drug Agency Board reappointment

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, has announced the reappointment of Dr Andrew McLachlan to the Board of the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA). Access the full media release on the DCITA website at http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/kemp/media#mr.

05 Apr 05

Australian Sports Drug Agency board appointment

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today announced the appointment of Australian swimming star Nicole Livingstone to the board of the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA). Access the full media release on the DCITA website at http://www.minister.dcita.gov.au/kemp/media#mr.