Athletes discuss ways to hold sports accountable in anti-doping fight

By Bonnie D. Ford, ESPN

A fledgling proposal for a “charter of rights’’ that would formalize international sport’s obligation to provide a level playing field for athletes had its first airing at a World Anti-Doping Agency symposium this week.

Members of the WADA Athlete Committee, led by Olympic cross-country skiing champion Beckie Scott of Canada, introduced the concept at a workshop before anti-doping and international sports officials Tuesday in Lausanne, Switzerland. The day of meetings was not open to media.

American Adam Nelson, the 2004 Olympic shot put champion who received his gold medal nine years after the fact due to a re-test disqualification, called the charter concept “a good idea, a step in the right direction.’’ But he would want to see it advance in tandem with unionizing efforts at some level — a challenge that has thwarted Olympic athletes for decades.

“I don’t see how you can have one without the other,’’ said Nelson, long a vocal proponent of greater athlete activism and the current TFAA President.

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About the TFAA
The Track & Field Athletes Association (TFAA) is a 501(c)(4) organization formed to support the rights and interests of professional track & field athletes. We are the Athlete’s Voice. Visit trackfieldaa.com for more information.