Olympics

WADA panel proposes charter to protect athletes' rights

A World Anti-Doping Agency panel is proposing a charter to formally protect the rights of athletes.

'Athletes are frustrated,' says athlete committee chairwoman Beckie Scott

WADA athlete committee chairwomen Beckie Scott along with its athlete panel have worked on the proposal since two investigations revealed widespread doping and cover-ups in Russian track and field and other sports, including at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

A World Anti-Doping Agency panel is proposing a charter to formally protect the rights of athletes.

WADA athlete committee chairwoman Beckie Scott says "athletes are frustrated and are asking that their `rights' with respect to clean, fair sport be recognized and protected."

WADA says its athlete panel worked on the proposal after two investigations revealed widespread doping and cover-ups in Russian track and field and other sports, including at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Athletes in some sports have challenged governing bodies to be tougher reacting to findings from the WADA-appointed investigations.

At a WADA conference in Lausanne, athlete representatives said priorities included "the right to compete on a level playing field, the right to access education, privacy protection, legal representation."