WADA hosts second workshop as part of European Intelligence and Investigations project

This week, the independent Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Department of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has brought together representatives of law enforcement agencies, police and customs, and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) from 10 European countries for the second of six workshops as part of a European Union-funded project aimed at building I&I capabilities across the continent.

The five-day workshop, which ends today, took place in Warsaw, Poland, and included representatives of NADOs and law enforcement agencies from Albania, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, France Germany, Iceland, Lithuania and North Macedonia. During the week, sessions are covering such topics as whistleblower management, analytical techniques and real-time interviewing related to doping investigations.

WADA President Witold Bańka addressed the participants virtually yesterday, covering a number of anti-doping intelligence and investigations topics. He said: “This week’s European Intelligence and Investigations (I&I) Capability and Capacity Building project workshop highlighted the importance of facilitating information-sharing and building technical expertise across I&I departments around the world. I&I plays such a pivotal role in the protection of clean sport. This is evidenced by the success of WADA’s ‘Operation LIMS’ and many other investigations, which are all reliant on information from confidential sources as well as the expertise of members of our I&I team. I will continue to champion the importance of collaboration between members of the anti-doping community and law enforcement as this project is another example of what we can achieve when we work together.”

WADA Director of I&I, Gunter Younger, said: “This week’s workshop was another important step towards the ultimate goal of the project, which is to bring experts of NADOs and law enforcement together to discuss anti-doping intelligence and investigation matters for future cooperation. We have already seen significant, tangible, results following the inaugural session in March with numerous joint-NADO/law enforcement operations being launched, most of which that are still ongoing. We are grateful for the foresight and support provided by the European Union and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency for embracing this important project.”

The project also features a range of complementary activities, including:

• An e-learning platform for law enforcement officers and an online tool for sharing information across the 48 participating countries;
• A campaign during the summer of 2023 designed to raise awareness of youth in Europe to the dangers of doping;
• The provision of assistance to develop robust legislative frameworks where necessary, especially in the area of whistleblowers;
• Ongoing advice, support and collaborative meetings; and
• A thorough process of monitoring and evaluation to ensure the project remains on track as per the agreed criteria.

The remaining four project workshops will be carried out in July, September, November 2023, and January 2024.

This project is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, the granting authority. Neither the European Union nor the European Education and Culture Executive Agency can be held responsible for them.