World Anti-Doping Code non-compliance list.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has removed, with immediate effect, the Tunisian National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD) from the list of Signatories not in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).

WADA sent a formal notice of non-compliance to ANAD on 8 April 2024. This non-compliance became effective on 30 April 2024, after ANAD decided not to contest the allegation, as it could have done pursuant to Article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Signatories' Compliance with the Code (ISCCS).   

The non-compliance was due to the failure to fully implement the 2021 version of the Code in Tunisia's national legal system. On 2 May 2024, WADA received confirmation that the necessary governmental decree had entered into force.

Subsequently, on 8 May 2024, the WADA Compliance Review Committee (CRC) agreed with WADA management that ANAD had satisfactorily fulfilled its obligations to regain compliance. Therefore, in accordance with Article 11.3.3 of the ISCCS, the CRC recommended to the ExCo that ANAD be removed from the list of non-compliant Signatories.



The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had already expressed its deep concern following the arrest and dismissal of the Director General of the Tunisian National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD) for attempting to address the consequences of ANAD's non-compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

The sanctions had barred Tunisia from hosting major sporting events and from flying its flag at sporting events, including at the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in July and August. Its youth and sports ministry promised swift corrective actions

Tunisian prosecutors arrested seven other sports officials on Friday for the absence of the national flag at a swimming competition on Friday. The officials of the Tunisian swimming federation and the national anti-doping agency were arrested on Saturday after President Kais Saied reacted angrily to the absence of the flag.

WADA had first warned Tunisia's national anti-doping agency in November that it was not complying with international guidelines, but the local federation repeatedly failed to take the necessary steps to avoid being placed on the international watch list.

There are currently three non-compliant signatories to the Code: the National Olympic Committee of Angola (acting as ONAD), the Russian Anti-Doping Agency and the International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding.