Tunisia’s legal non-compliance

Now officially, Tunisia is considered non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. According to WADA, the Tunisian Anti-Doping Organization’s legal system is not in line with the 2021 Code. Tunisia is now suspended along with Russia, the International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation, and Angola.

Tunisia was warned on November 16. On April 8, WADA published that the Tunisian Anti-Doping Organization (ANAD) was non-compliant. At that time WADA laid out a clear plan to avoid suspension. The WADA release at the time reads, “In the days following the WADA Executive Committee (ExCo), ANAD provided a clear calendar for adoption of the amendments which are required to bring the Tunisian legal framework in line with the Code within four months. At the same time, critical corrective actions from an audit conducted in March 2023 were signed off. On this basis, the CRC updated its recommendation to the ExCo for inclusion on the ‘watchlist’ This was approved by the ExCo on 6 December 2023. 

In an official statement released on Tuesday, WADA said that ANAD did not dispute the allegation of non-compliance. The proposed consequences or reinstatement conditions within 21 days of WADA’s last notice. This resulted in the admission and acceptance of said consequences and reinstatement conditions. “Accordingly, the formal notice sent to ANAD on 8 April 2024 is now a final decision enforceable with immediate effect,” the statement said.  

At its previous meeting on November 16, WADA’s ExCo endorsed the recommendation of WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC) and alleged ANAD as non-compliant.  ANAD then provided a clear calendar for adoption of the amendments. The amendments are required to bring the Tunisian legal framework in line within four months. Meanwhile critical corrective actions from an audit conducted in March 2023 were signed off. On December 6, ExCo included Tunisia in the international watchlist and WADA sent ANAD a formal notice of non-compliance on April 8.

Venezuela and Nigeria are now also on the watch list. The Russian Anti-Doping Agency RUSADA has had its WADA privileges revoked, therefore they are not eligible to host international events and their representatives can not hold WADA positions. Funding is also cut off.