Anti-Doping System Has ‘Stalled’ as Elite Cheats Slip Through Net, Says AIU Chair
By [Your Name], Sports Correspondent

The global fight against doping in elite sport is at a critical juncture, with key figures in the anti-doping movement warning that current systems have “stalled” and are failing to keep pace with sophisticated athletes intent on circumventing the rules.

At last week’s World Conference on Doping in Sport in Busan, South Korea, David Howman, chair of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and former director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), delivered a blunt assessment: intentional dopers at the elite level are increasingly evading detection, and the existing system is not effective enough to catch them. (Al Jazeera)

A Sobering Assessment from Within

In a frank address to delegates, Howman acknowledged that while anti-doping bodies have made progress over past decades, today’s technological and scientific advances in performance enhancement are outstripping the ability of testing and enforcement to keep up.

“Let’s be honest and pragmatic … intentional dopers at elite level are evading detection.

We are not effective enough nowadays in catching cheats,” he said, underscoring a growing sense of urgency among clean sport advocates. (Al Jazeera)

The AIU chair pointed to rising disciplinary action as evidence that work in this area continues  international cases handled by the AIU climbed from 62 in 2021 to 100 in 2024, and national cases rose from 185 to 305 over the same period.

Yet, Howman stressed that these figures are misleading if interpreted as a sign of success: they “are not catching enough of them,” he said. (The Star)

High-Profile Cases Highlight Ongoing Struggles

Recent actions against high-profile athletes illustrate these challenges.

Kenyan marathon star Ruth Chepngetich, who set the women’s world record earlier this year, was banned for three years after admitting a doping rule violation.

Her record, however, remains intact because it preceded her positive test a decision that has sparked debate. (The Star)

In sprint events, American stars such as Fred Kerley faced provisional suspensions for whereabouts failures a non-analytical violation linked to anti-doping protocols  and Marvin Bracy was hit with an extended sanction after admitting offences.

These cases show that major athletes are indeed being caught, but Howman said they likely represent only a fraction of the true problem. (Al Jazeera)

Other reports suggest even larger gaps: bans handed to athletes such as Erriyon Knighton and others indicate doping is still widespread but that many cheats are eluding detection until much later if at all. (Kingroyal News)

Systemic Weaknesses Undermine Credibility

Howman’s concerns go beyond individual cases to the structural weaknesses of the anti-doping regime.

He warned that the system’s inability to outsmart clever cheats is undermining public confidence in clean sport and risks eroding the very credibility that anti-doping organisations strive to maintain.

“Our ineffectiveness in dealing with those who are beating the rules is hurting the anti-doping movement’s credibility, with the resulting risk that our clean-sport message falls on deaf ears,” Howman said in Busan. (Al Jazeera)

He argued that a heavy reliance on compliance metrics box-ticking exercises such as meeting testing quotas has encouraged practices that look good on paper but do little against the most deliberate and well-resourced dopers.

This compliance mindset, he said, must be replaced by ambitious, intelligence-led anti-doping efforts that proactively seek out cheats rather than simply react to positive tests. (news.germanroadraces.de)

Calls for Reform and Scientific Collaboration

Central to Howman’s proposed solution is a renewed focus on scientific research and collaboration.

He called for closer alignment between WADA and national anti-doping organisations (ADOs) to prioritise research into advanced detection methods and to support investigative capabilities that can keep pace with doping techniques.

“The International Standards [of WADA] might be better scrutinised regularly to ensure they fully support investigative efforts to uncover doping,” he said, suggesting that existing regulations may be outdated or insufficient for the evolving landscape. (Al Jazeera)

Experts have echoed this view, pointing out that modern performance-enhancing substances and methods including microdosing, gene doping, and compounds with extremely short detection windows  challenge traditional testing frameworks.

For instance, some banned substances can leave the body within hours, making them virtually undetectable unless testing occurs at exactly the right time. (athleticsweekly.com)

Moreover, Howman and others have urged anti-doping agencies to expand intelligence sharing between countries and sports, increasing transparency and cooperation to identify patterns and emerging threats before they become entrenched.

The Stakes: Fair Play and Athlete Trust

Athletes who compete cleanly are among those most affected by anti-doping shortcomings.

Without effective deterrence and enforcement, contenders who follow the rules may be at a competitive disadvantage and the public’s faith in the integrity of sport may fade.

Howman’s message was clear: “We must do better to support our clean athletes by catching the dirty ones, especially those at the pinnacle of sport.” (news.germanroadraces.de)

His words draw attention not only to the ongoing struggle against doping, but to the need for a strategic shift one that leverages science, data, and international cooperation to stay ahead of cheats who are constantly innovating.

A Crossroads for Global Sport

As the anti-doping community reflects on Howman’s remarks, the key question remains how to translate blunt assessment into meaningful action. Will WADA, national agencies, and sports federations embrace reform? Can science and intelligence replace bureaucracy and box-ticking? And crucially, will the next generation of elite sport be cleaner and fairer?

The stakes extend far beyond athletics they touch the credibility of competitive sport worldwide.

Reporting from Busan with additional research.