WADA cancels 2020 Annual Symposium in light of Coronavirus

Dear Symposium Participants,

You may have seen earlier today that, in light of the Coronavirus, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regretfully announced the cancellation of the Agency’s Symposium and related Athlete Session that were to be held at the SwissTech Convention Center in Lausanne, Switzerland on 17-18 and 19 March 2020 respectively.

WADA took this decision based on the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health’s (FOPH’s) announcement today banning large-scale gatherings of more than 1,000 people in Switzerland until 15 March 2020; and, to ensure the health and safety of the Agency’s staff and stakeholder community.

As you know, the Symposium, which was to be delivered under the theme “Bringing the 2021 Code and Standards into Action”, was primarily aimed at assisting World Anti-Doping Code (Code) Signatories in their adjustment to, and implementation of, the 2021 Code and International Standards, which will enter into force on 1 January 2021. WADA is confident that, over the coming weeks and months, it will be able to complement its previously announced 2021 Code Implementation Support Program (CISP) to include the elements of the Symposium program via webinars and other channels. The CISP is being developed in coordination with Code Signatories and other partners throughout 2020.

WADA regrets any inconvenience that this necessary decision may cause to participants and others that will be impacted. Separately, WADA is reaching out as necessary; in particular, to those that currently have ancillary meetings planned.

For those participants that have:

  • paid registration fees, please note that refunds will be processed over the next two-three weeks; and
  • booked hotel reservations via the Symposium’s registration system, please note that Lausanne Tourism will automatically cancel your reservations.  Should you wish to reinstate your reservation, please contact them directly.

For any questions, please contact Ms. Angelique Crettenand at Lausanne Tourisme or Ms. Anais Rodriguez at WADA.

Sincerely,

World Anti-Doping Agency