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CHINA and NORWAY collaboration in the field of anti-doping

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BACKGROUNDIn 1996 the department for Ethics, Sport Medicine and Anti-doping at the Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports was invited to join a delegation from the Norwegian Ministry of Culture on a trip to China in order to discuss anti-doping. This visit resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NOC) concerning sport and the development of anti-doping measures. The MoU was designed to help facilitate the exchange of personnel and information between both countries, and to allow the participants to learn from the anti-doping practice in both countries.

Based on the MoU bilateral testing guidelines were developed and signed by both organisations in February 1997. The main purposes of these guidelines were to enhance the domestic testing programmes in both countries and to facilitate the testing of Norwegian and Chinese athletes by both organisations.

In 1999 the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was established as an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sports movement and governments of the world. That same year the government of the Kingdom of Norway and the government of the People’s Republic of China signed an agreement on culture and education including sport. Based on this general agreement an MoU on sport, including the field of anti-doping, was signed in 2003 between the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and the General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China.

© Chinada and Anti-Doping NorwayAugust 2011

Photo: iStockphoto, Chinada and Anti-Doping Norway

China Anti-Doping Agency The national anti-doping organisation of China. Founded 12 November 2007. Located in Beijing. E-mail: contact@chinada.cnWeb: www.chinada.ch

Anti-Doping Norway The foundation is the national anti-doping organisation of Norway. Founded 1 June 2003. Located in Oslo. E-mail: post@antidoping.noWeb: www.antidoping.no

Both organisations conduct doping tests and promote values, provide information and carry out preventive work aimed at fighting doping in sport. The organisations carry out activities aimed at promoting international co-operation and also contribute to research into the object of its activities.

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THE CO-OPERATION – STEP BY STEP

Introduction. The collaboration between China and Norway in the field of anti-doping has been a step-by-step process. For each co-operation period the parties have signed an agreement and developed an overall plan. Two meetings every year have usually taken place, one in Norway and one in China. The participants have been leaders and experts from both organisations, depending on the topics being discussed. All co-operation periods have been managed and administered with the financial support from the government.

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“Without a doubt, this has been a success story. When we started the idea of transferring expertise and developing experience within the anti-doping field was completely new. Norway was a pioneer in introducing this type of agreement.” Rune Andersen Director of WADA, Standards & Harmonization Helped to establish the collaboration in the 1990s.

“After years of cooperation both China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) and Anti-Doping Norway (ADN) witnessed the development and progress achieved by both parties and promoted international anti-doping measures. When looking back at this, CHINADA is also very much looking forward with expectation and confidence to the future of this close relationship with ADN.” DU Lijun Director-General of China Anti-Doping Agency

“Anti-Doping Norway and Norwegian sport is very proud of this long-standing co-operation with CHINADA. For a number of years this relation has been fruitful and developing for both parties. I’m sure that co-operation like this is necessary to take the global fight against doping forward.” Anders Solheim CEO of Anti-Doping Norway

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2001-2002 THE fIRST ImPORTANT STEPS …

Background. In the year 2000 it was decided to take the collaboration between the Chinese Olympic Committee Anti-Doping Commission (COCADC) and the NOC to another level. The NOC together with five other countries had previ-ously signed a MoU and was part of “the International Anti-Doping Arrangement” (IADA), outlining its commitment to co-operatively pursue and promote anti-doping in sport. COCADC expressed a wish to join the IADA Quality Concept. With this in mind, an agreement was signed between the parties in January 2001 that would focus on a quality system.

Main objectives. The main purposes of this collaboration were to develop a quality system for doping control in China in line with the requirements of IADA’s International Standard for Doping Control (ISDC) and the ISO 9001:2000 Standard as well as to develop expertise in and create an understanding of quality management in doping control in China.

Outcome. The collaboration proved to be a success, and the goals of the project were achieved. A quality system for doping control in China is under development, to achieve ISO certi-fication for doping control would be a huge step forward for COCADC. It was said that the project had a historical impact on doping control activity in China. A fundamental piece of the puzzle was now in place for further development of anti-doping activities in China.

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COCADC achievesISO certification, 2002

Oslo

Beijing

mILESTONES IN THE COLLABORATION

1996 Norwegian Olympic Committee and Confederation of Sports invited to join a delegation from the Norwegian Ministry of Culture on a trip to China.

1996 Signature of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

1997 Bilateral testing guidelines signed.

1999 The governments in Norway and China signed an agreement on cultur and education, including sport.

2001 Agreement on co-operation signed.

2004 COCADC achieves ISO certification.

2008 Beijing Olympic Games, close co-operation prior to and during the games.

2009 The MoU on sport renewed by the governments.

2010 A new agreement signed between China Anti-Doping Agency and Anti-Doping Norway, for the period 2010-2014. Testing agreement renewed for the same period.

1999 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) established.

2003 A MoU on sport, including the field of anti-doping, is signed.

2003 A new co-operation period started.

2003 Anti-Doping Norway established as an independent anti-doping agency.

2007 A new 3-year agreement signed, including bilateral testing agreement.

2007 Both Norway and China ratify the UNESCO convention.

2007 An independent anti-doping agency in China established.

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2003–2006STRENGTHEN THE PROGRAmmES

Background. Based on the MoU signed between the govern-ments in 2003 and on the successful collaboration to date, both parties agreed to continue the co-operation. A new co-operation period and project plan were agreed.

Anti-Doping Norway was established in 2003 as an independ-ent anti-doping agency by the Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and the NOC. The foundation was established to ensure that the control and prosecution activities in doping cases are organised independently from the Norwegian Olympic Com-mittee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) and the Norwegian government.

Main objectives. The overall objectives were to strengthen the national anti-doping programmes in the two countries focusing not only on doping control activities but also on information and educational activities. The project plan was to cover the following areas: an effective implementation and integration of the quality system for doping control, certifica-tion and re-certification of the quality system in both organi-sations and effective application and implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code and relevant International Standards in COCADC and Anti-Doping Norway. Furthermore, the project plan included doping control man-agement as well as administration, information and educa-tional programmes and activities, and anti-doping services related to the Olympic Games in Beijing. In addition a separate agreement on reciprocal testing was to be developed and signed.

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Outcome. Both parties were very satisfied with the outcome of this period. COCADC achieved ISO certification in 2004. Re-certification of the quality system was achieved in Anti-Doping Norway, and relevant requirements were included in the quality system and implemented in both organisations. Substantial improvements were made in relation to preven-tion, information and educational activities. The most important initiative was the establishment of a long-term programme for information and education in both organisa-tions. In 2004 the Chinese delegation also participated in Anti-Doping Norway’s yearly seminar for all anti-doping personnel. An agreement on reciprocal testing was also signed.

A Chinese delegation visiting Anti-Doping Norway in Oslo, 2004

COCADC achievesISO certification, 2004

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2007–2009 GOLD IN THE OLYmPICS

Background. During the autumn of 2007 the future of the co-operation between COCADC and Anti-Doping Norway was again put on the agenda. With the Beijing Olympic Games just around the corner it was important to pursue the collabo-ration in order for Anti-Doping Norway to contribute with its experience and knowledge in relation to the Olympic Games and the training of doping control officers, and for China to develop the best possible anti-doping programme prior to-, and during the games. The parties involved agreed on a co-operation period of three years.

Main objectives. Specific objectives were discussed and agreed upon for this new period: the establishment and management of a national anti-doping agency in China, education and training of doping control personnel at an international level in preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Anti-Doping Norway’s assistance and involvement during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, information and educational activities and finally, the review, implementation and follow-up of the bilateral doping control testing agreement.

Outcome. A significant step forward was the establishment of an independent anti-doping agency in China, now called China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) in November 2007. Becoming a separate agency prior to the Olympic Games was an achievement in itself.

With regards to the Olympic Games, close co-operation took place between Anti-Doping Norway, WADA, CHINADA and BOCOG. Seven doping control officers and phlebotomists from Anti-Doping Norway participated in the anti-doping programme prior to-, and during the Olympic Games. The anti-doping activities prior to and during the games went smoothly and the Chinese were very happy with the results achieved, after all the hard work that had been invested. The bilateral testing agreement was also renewed for a period of three years.

Seminar/workshop in preparation for the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Chinese and Norwegian DCOs prior to the Olympic Games in Beijing.

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2010–2014 CO-OPERATION TO BE CONTINUED...

In 2009 The Ministry of Culture and Church Affairs and the State General Administration of Sport of the People’s Republic of China renewed the Memorandum of Understanding in the field of sport. As a consequence concrete co-operation projects benefiting the sporting community are to be carried out based on ethics and fair play. CHINADA and Anti-Doping Norway have both expressed interest in continuing the co-operation, and a new agreement for the period 2010–2014 has been signed by both parties.

In addition to pursuing the collaboration within doping control and information and educational activities, there is an express wish to focus on specific areas such as biological passports, investigation activities, expertise in doping law and the exchange of personnel. In addition both parties have agreed to co-operate on joint projects in order to strengthen international anti-doping efforts. The bilateral testing agreement has also been renewed for the same period of time.

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CONCLUSION

A collaboration between China and Norway in the field of anti-doping would not have been possible without the support and recognition from the governments in both countries. This ongoing support has enabled stability and growth in the co-operation between the organisations, and has been crucial in order to achieve good results.

For more than a decade both countries have exchanged experience and knowledge in the field of anti-doping. Significant milestones have been reached, and there is no doubt that both parties have benefited tremendously from the collaboration. A new level in the quality of anti-doping work has been reached, turning both organisations into professional organisations providing quality services while safeguarding athletes’ rights.

Both organisations have also developed a better understand-ing of cultural and other differences that are important when working internationally. Through the years a special rela-tionship based on trust and respect has developed between personnel from the two organisations. When discussing the co-operation with CHINADA, staff at Anti-Doping Norway refer not just to their Chinese colleagues, but to their “friends”.

Thanks to this bilateral co-operation, CHINADA and Anti-Doping Norway are better prepared and stand stronger in the fight against doping, both on a domestic and an international level.

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CHINADA E-mail: contact@chinada.cnWeb: www.chinada.ch

Anti-Doping Norway E-mail: post@antidoping.noWeb: www.antidoping.no