Report of the Independent Observers for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020

As WADA has done for a number of Major Events since 2000, the Agency sent IO Teams to Tokyo to monitor the Olympic and Paralympic Games’ anti-doping programs. The aim of the IO Program is to reinforce confidence in athletes and the public as to the quality, effectiveness, and reliability of the anti-doping programs conducted.

The IO Teams collaborated closely with the IOC, the ITA, the IPC and the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, providing general support prior to the Games and real-time feedback during the Games. This approach is designed to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of the programs in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards.

Both IO Teams were composed of international experts in anti-doping who observed and provided feedback on all aspects of doping control. This included the implementation of general anti-doping policies and procedures; test distribution planning; implementation of out-of-competition and in-competition testing programs; athlete selection and notification; Therapeutic Use Exemption procedures; sample collection procedures; the transport of samples and their chain of custody; and, the results management process, including any hearings that were held during the IO Teams’ presence. The Olympic IO Team also observed the operations of the WADA-accredited laboratory.