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13 November 2025
In October 2022, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had declared the IFBB as non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code citing a number of concerns with IFBB’s anti-doping program. Namely, the WADA Code Compliance Review Committee highlighted the following issues:
The IFBB leadership acknowledged WADA’s decision and took decisive measures to restore a solid anti-doping framework and reinforce the credibility and good governance of its sport. As a result, in April 2025 the IFBB delegated the expert management of its entire anti-doping program to the ITA. This delegation includes the planning and implementation of testing activities, the administration of the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), results management, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), the handling of intelligence and investigations, as well as education activities for athletes and their support personnel.
All activities are carried out by the ITA in full independence and in accordance with the principles and framework of the World Anti-Doping Code and its International Standards.
Starting effectively in May 2025, the ITA immediately implemented a risk-based testing program along with education activities tailored to the need of international IFBB athletes.
Since taking up the management of the program, it must be noted that out of 269 samples collected from 164 athletes, a significant number returned adverse analytical findings for prohibited substances suggesting a very high level of potential rule violations. In addition, cases of evasion or refusals to undergo ITA doping controls were also recorded in recent months, further underscoring the need for strengthened awareness and responsibility among athletes and support personnel in bodybuilding and fitness.
Since taking up the management of the program, the ITA has been in regular contact with IFBB’s leadership to restore a credible and healthy sporting environment. Parties understand that as the IFBB World Championships set to debut in Barcelona on 13 November 2025, the IFBB community must ensure strict adherence to the IFBB anti-doping regulations.
“The ITA’s mission is to help any sporting organisation implement robust, independent and fair anti-doping programs,” said Benjamin Cohen, ITA Director General. “Our collaboration with the IFBB aims to assist the federation in aligning its anti-doping operations with global standards, while ensuring that athletes in bodybuilding and fitness are subject to an impartial, comprehensive and credible clean sport program. We are concerned with the high level of positive doping controls in the sport but encouraged with the leadership’s wish to address this issue effectively. A change of culture may take time, but the ITA will do all in its power to support the IFBB and its athletes adopt a radical approach to bringing health and fairness in the sport.”
The ITA will operate independently in the execution of all delegated tasks and will report transparently to the relevant authorities, including WADA, as required under the applicable frameworks. WADA’s declaration of non-compliance will indeed remain in effect until they are satisfied that the IFBB fulfils the conditions required for reinstatement. The ITA’s support therefore, does not constitute or imply recognition of Code compliance as of yet; The ITA and IFBB will continue to work towards the fulfilment of all compliance criteria and will continue to update their stakeholders transparently accordingly. As such, and in an effort to promote transparency, a list of current anti-doping rule violations under the IFBB’s jurisdiction since the delegation to the ITA can be found here.
