At its annual press conference on Tuesday, the National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) looked back on its work in 2021 and gave an overview of current anti-doping topics. The annual press conference was organised digitally.
"Despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, anti-doping work continued at a high level," said Dr. Andrea Gotzmann, CEO of NADA Germany: "The investments in digitalization made even before 2021, as well as the constant focus on further development, served as the basis for the implementation of all anti-doping measures in these challenging times."
"NADA Germany's number of controls last year is at a similar high level as before the pandemic," Gotzmann explained, "In a double Olympic and Paralympic preparation cycle for Tokyo and Beijing, it was of particular importance for us to support the athletes in practicing fair and safe sport through continuous anti-doping work."
"NADA Germany has used the pandemic phase to establish new procedures and technologies. Since September 2021, the Dried Blood Spot technique has been routinely used in doping tests. In a current research project, NADA Germany is testing the possibilities and use of a remote testing solution using the Dried Blood Spot method. For this purpose, we are using a specially designed app for the first time. In addition, the expansion of the analytical spectrum is being researched with a view to possible evidence of manipulation," Gotzmann continued: "In the area of prevention, NADA Germany has further expanded its digital offering. Established in 2021 was a completely new e-learning system that enables learning in an uncomplicated way and at any time on mobile devices."
"The implementation of the National Anti-Doping Code (NADC21), which has been in force since January 1, 2021, was the focus in 2021. NADA Germany launched an extensive information campaign," said Dr. Lars Mortsiefer, Member of the Executive Board and Chief Legal Counsel of NADA Germany: "In results management, NADA Germany itself now has the possibility to determine a sanction after the investigation is completed."
"We have been able to continue the intensive Intelligence & Investigations work thanks to innovative remote solutions. We have also been able to maintain exchanges with government investigative agencies. For the future, NADA Germany plans to institutionalize training on relevant anti-doping topics and criminal doping law," Mortsiefer explained.
"The war in Ukraine also poses new challenges for international anti-doping work. NADA Germany, in cooperation with WADA and the Ukrainian anti-doping organization, is taking over the control activities for the Ukrainian athletes who have fled and are staying in Germany and training here," Gotzmann said, "Offers for this target group are also being prepared in the area of prevention work."
"The institutional funding from the federal government and the cooperation with various project partners enable the foundation to implement a wide range of progressive projects. These are forward-looking for clean sport," Gotzmann explained.
- An overview of NADA's work over the past year can be found in the 2021 Annual Report.
- Recording of the press conference 2022 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pH6lb9xLxWU
- Statement of NADA-CEO Dr. Andrea Gotzmann (in German language, included in the speech section are not the transcripts of the speech itself as it was given by the speaker on the actual day)