• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Dr. Jeff Porter

Dr. Jeff Porter

Olympian and Sports Business Professional

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About
    • Biography
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Career Highlights
  • Blog
  • Sport Media & Tech Podcast
  • Contact

The Disappointment with WADA Continues

February 14, 2019 By Dr. Jeff Porter

The start of a new year is supposed to bring about a clean start, new goals, and a fresh perspective. As the clocks began to countdown to midnight, it soon became apparent that a ‘clean start’ was not going to be happening with the Russians and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). On January 1st, the international media announced that the Russian authorities failed to provide access to the laboratory doping data by their year-end deadline [Yahoo Sports].

Back in September of 2018, Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was conditionally reinstated by WADA (which caused a great deal of controversy). One of the conditions for reinstatement for RUSADA was access to the laboratory data in Moscow that was implicated by WADA in the state-sponsored doping program (Side note: If you have not seen the Netflix Documentary Icarus, I highly recommend it). Apparently, when WADA officials visited the Moscow laboratory in December, the team was denied access to the raw data, and the inspection equipment the team used was not certified under Russian law.

Take a moment to consider the ridiculousness of this entire story, not just what has recently transpired (because let’s face it, no one is all that surprised by this news). Imagine the international outcry if the United States Secret Service, FBI, and CIA decided to ensure that a state-sponsored doping program remained unimpeded during the Olympic Games. Imagine that in this country, hundreds of American athletes had positive doping tests that were covered up and agents broke into the testing lab to manipulate or swap out samples. If this sounds a little far-fetched, welcome to the Russian doping program.

I am a staunch proponent of clean sport and believe that if an athlete, coach, federation, or country cannot adhere to rules that ensure athletes compete on a level playing field, they should not be allowed to compete. If they are, then what is the purpose of having the competition?

Circling back to the original story, I cannot state with a clear conscience that I am surprised by the latest news out of Moscow. Did anyone truly expect Russian Authorities to provide access to the raw data from its laboratory in Moscow? There is no incentive for them to do so because, as we have continued to witness, both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and WADA will attempt to make deals behind the scenes to ensure that their athletes are competing at the major championships. Will this change for the 2020 Olympics? At this point, there is no strong evidence to believe any sort of substantive change is on the horizon.

What recourse does the international community have to address this issue? Unfortunately, I do not have the answer to this question. Athletes, federations, and countries have all been vocal about their disapproval and have only made (at most) incremental progress. At this point, conversations about boycotting the Olympic Games if Russia is allowed to compete is the alternative that may force the IOC and WADA to actually take a hardline stance against Russia. If not, 2019 will be the same as 2018 in which minimal progress was even attempted.

Filed Under: Olympic Sports

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • Deciphering the Decision-Making Structure of the NCAA
  • Growing the Sport of Track & Field
  • Growth of Women’s Sports in the U.S.
  • Newly Proposed US Senate NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) Legislation
  • The Most Underrated Advice I Ever Received

Testimonials

During my time at the University of Michigan, Dr. Porter took me under his wings and showed me what it takes mentally and physically to be successful on and off the track. Under his mentorship, I learned how to perceive my own weaknesses and confront them with courage. This has allowed me to keep a focus on my path and continue to achieve higher in education and excellence.

Dr. Porter instilled in me the Michigan traditions of what it means to be the Leaders and the Best. If you are looking for someone who goes above and beyond what he is called to do, then I would highly recommend Dr. Porter for any of his services.

(Codie Nolan- UM Grad ’16)

“Jeff told me I could achieve anything in this life if I work hard, and then he went off and made his first Olympic team.

He told me I could overcome any setback if I persevere, and then he went off and earned his doctorate.

When I was told to consider giving up my dream of becoming a dentist because I didn’t have the grades to get in, Jeff told me to have faith in God’s plan for me and take the admittance test anyway.

To this day I’m waiting to hear, “I told you so.”

(Philip Washington DMD Candidate, Class of 2022)

Navigation

  • Home
  • Biography
  • Ideas to Consider
  • Contact
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Career Highlights
  • Sport Media & Tech Podcast

Let’s stay in touch

I'd love to hear from you.

Contact Dr. Jeff Porter

Footer

Social

Connect with me on Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Navigation

  • Home
  • About
    • Biography
    • Curriculum Vitae
    • Career Highlights
  • Blog
  • Sport Media & Tech Podcast
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 · Dr. Jeff Porter · Log in