nov.12.2009

The International Rugby Board has joined with other leading sporting Federations in celebrating the 10th anniversary of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

As one of the first International Federations to become a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code in 2004, the IRB operates a zero-tolerance policy towards the use of prohibited substances in the Game and enjoys a close working partnership with WADA to tackle doping through a successful blend of testing and outreach education.

"WADA has played a leading and defining role in the global fight against doping in sport in the last decade. Sport is now unified under one set of global anti-doping rules, promoting consistency, awareness and education. Importantly, athletes from all sports now have greater confidence that they are competing on a level playing field," said IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

"The IRB believes that the introduction of the WADA Code is one of the most important developments in global sport in modern times. The Code is the very foundation upon which harmonisation in anti-doping across different sports has been achieved. This, in conjunction with the successful outreach education program, has revolutionised global anti-doping practices.

"In Rugby, over 10,000 of the top men's and women's fifteens and Sevens stars have been subject to the IRB's Keep Rugby Clean Outreach Education and Awareness Programme since the IRB implemented the Outreach Model in partnership with WADA in 2005," added Lapasset.

Such education programmes, combined with extensive testing programmes and a leading role in the fight against doping, has attracted praise from WADA. In 2007, former WADA President Dick Pound praised the IRB and Rugby for its rigorous testing programme and singled out Keep Rugby Clean as a best-practice model for other International Federations to follow.

During the period from 2004 to 2008 the IRB conducted a total of 5,128 anti-doping controls, including testing of blood samples for the first time at the sport's showcase tournament, Rugby World Cup in 2007. This programme is complimented by extensive testing by the IRB's Member Unions and National Anti-Doping Agencies.

The IRB handed down suspensions to 31 players who committed anti-doping rule violations for a variety of prohibited substances during the same period. These sanctions are in addition to 167 cases determined by Member Unions.

"The global sporting landscape is ever changing and it is important that sports all move with the times to protect the athletes, provide them with the best possible education on doping matters and make every endeavour to ensure that the fight to rid sport of doping cheats is maintained," added Lapasset.