Annual press conference of NADA Germany 2023

At its annual press conference on Tuesday at the conference centre of the Federal Press Conference in Berlin, the National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) looked back on its work in 2022 and gave an overview of current anti-doping topics.

"The expiring pandemic situation, the war in Ukraine and the enormous price increase due to inflation posed and continue to pose new challenges for NADA Germany," said Dr Andrea Gotzmann, Chairperson of NADA Germany's Executive Board: "The question of the security of NADA Germany's funding is again more topical than ever. Without continuous readjustment in the financial support of the foundation, the high quality and appreciation of anti-doping work in Germany is at risk." 

"The focus of NADA Germany's work in 2022 was the compliance audit by the World Anti-Doping Agency. NADA Germany complies with all the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code," said Dr Lars Mortsiefer, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Legal Counsel of NADA Germany.

"The further development of anti-doping work is essential in order to be able to protect the values of sport. Therefore, the use of new, innovative testing methods is in the focus of the Testing Programme. Remote testing and the routine use of the dried blood spot method are particularly noteworthy here. The network approach of the Prevention Programme TOGETHER AGAINST DOPING (GEMEINSAM GEGEN DOPING) is an enormous gain for behavioural and structural prevention in Germany," Gotzmann explained.

"The number of criminal charges filed by NADA Germany for possible violations of the Anti-Doping Act was at a record level in 2022. The number of cases under sports law also increased compared to previous years. NADA Germany increasingly processed violations due to the use of substances of abuse," said Mortsiefer: "The expansion of the network for state investigation authorities is an important part of NADA Germany's Intelligence & Investigations work. This will be intensified with the new training and research initiative on criminal doping law." 

"Internationally, NADA Germany is increasingly advocating good governance issues and athlete involvement as a co-creator within the framework of the Declaration of Guiding Principles for Anti-Doping," Gotzmann said. 

• Overview of NADA Germany's work in the past year: 2022 Annual Report
• Recording of the Annual Press Conference 2023 on YouTube (only in German): youtu.be/OMNg4dLPDtg