WADA Lifts Sanctions on Tunisia for Anti-Doping Compliance

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has reinstated Tunisia’s national anti-doping organization, a week after imposing sanctions that caused turmoil in the country.

WADA confirmed that a required governmental decree had entered into force, and the Tunisian National Anti-Doping Organization (ANAD) had successfully met its obligations to regain compliance by aligning its national rules with the world anti-doping code.

ANAD was removed from the agency’s non-compliance list following a vote of WADA’s executive committee. The sanctions had prevented Tunisia from hosting major sporting events and displaying its flag at sports events, including the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The youth and sports ministry pledged prompt corrective actions. The covering of the Tunisian flag at a swim meet in Tunis sparked anger from the country’s president, Kais Saied.

The heads of Tunisia’s swimming federation and ANAD were arrested, and seven other officials were summoned to the Ben Arous court. The nation’s swimming federation board was dissolved, and the ANAD chief and a sports official in Ben Arous were relieved of their duties.