World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) hits Major Sports Leagues, causing a Major Concern for them
WADA is utterly disappointed by National Hockey League (NHL) cooperation with them regarding drug tests. President of WADA John Fahey, is trying to negotiate with NHL to allow them to take more tests during the year, as NHL only permits three times a year and do not allow any sort of tests during the playoffs. Fahey says the resistance to the testing is quite dissatisfying.
NHL has been harshly criticized by former chairmen of WADA d**k Pound; according to d**k, 30 percent of all NHL players are on performance-enhancing drugs. Furthermore, NHL has the weakest drug-testing count amongst the major professional leagues.
NHL suspends a player for 20 games, as a first time offender and followed by 60 games for the second time which in compared to WADA’s rules and regulation is nothing; WADA bans up to 4 years as a first time offender.
This year a lot of questions are being raised regarding the NHL players and if they are going to be tested for the Olympics by WADA. NHL players aren’t subjected to WADA code, but a contract was signed last year, stating that tests could be conducted only on NHL players that who would be drafted for the Olympics.
WADA has suspended more than 30 players from the Olympics this year; names and teams have not been released until now. Director General of Wada; David Howman is not happy with how top North American leagues don’t subject to the WADA Code. He said "it’s not as stringent as you would want, we don't know if there's a [doping] problem, but you're left with the suspicion that there may be problem if you're not prepared to front up.’
WADA’s main concern regarding the NHL is the set amount of tests that they are allowed to conduct; even upon the agreement with NHL “Player Union” last year; recreational drugs and certain simulative drugs are not to be considered by WADA. When asked how WADA’s relationship status was with the NHL. Howman, was quite direct about it, He said “Half a rink.”
Despite NHL’s lack of cooperation with the Organization, he is still hopeful there will come a point in the following years, for improvements between the two.
WADA has faced a lot of criticism over the years from all professional Leagues, in 2006, NBA Commissioner David Stern said that WADA had no respect left internationally; David battered WADA’s former head d**k Pound for his indiscretion with Floyd Landis. David stern in return criticized NBA and said it is also one of the Professional League who is not hard on testing.
"We have these very intense procedures we deal with our players on, and we throw them out if they fail the tests" Stern said. "But we also have a number of processes in place to protect them”
Major League Baseball’s (MLB) vice president, Ron Manfred was deeply upset by WADA as well. Ron said WADA does not know how much effort the players put into the game, saying “exploring the feasibility of conducting blood testing for HGH in the minor leagues as soon as practical.”
Ever since British Rugby player was suspended for using hormonal drugs, WADA has been pressuring players to get Human Growth Hormone (HGH) tests done.
Upcoming Tour de France will be monitored by WADA, the procedure will begin by next month. An agreement was signed between WADA and the International Cycling doping Agency, stating that WADA’s representatives will not only observe but would also be part of the selection of the riders depending on the results.
Regardless of the fact that WADA has been condemned over the years by Major Sports Leagues, the organization does not lose faith and keeps true to its motto “promoting, coordinating and monitoring the fight against doping in sport in all its forms.”
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