The Philippines avoided a flag ban in the upcoming 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) announced on Tuesday, March 19, that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) cleared the country from the compliance watchlist of the international body.
Last September, the PSC received a notice on the alleged failure of the country to comply with the WADA code, and the commission had until January to address the outstanding non-conformities identified by the international body.
Come January, the PSC received another warning regarding the non-compliance of the Philippines to the WADA Code.
The anti-doping body also warned that the flag of the Philippines might not be shown in international competitions, including the Olympics and Paralympics until the country complies with the WADA Code.
The PSC disputed the allegations of non-compliance last February, and WADA brought the issue to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
"Since then, the Philippines NADO has continued to address its corrective actions. As a result, the relevant WADA departments have concluded that the corrective actions have now been corrected and the pending compliance procedure has been closed," WADA said.
Dr. Alejandro Pineda, head of the Philippine National Anti-Doping Organization, received an email from WADA Chief Compliance Manager Emiliano Simonelli confirming the removal of the Philippines from the compliance watchlist.
"I am pleased to confirm that in light of the latest developments, the Compliance Review Committee has decided to sign off the remaining pending critical corrective actions relating to testing and results management," Simonelli said in the letter.
"As a result, the compliance procedure has now been closed and the case will not be filed before the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” he added.
PSC chairperson Richard Bachmann expressed his gratitude to WADA and PHI-NADO.
"We would like to thank WADA for all the support to resolve all issues. The PSC in coordination with PHI-NADO will continue to make improvements and propose the proper legislation in compliance with the WADA Code 20.5.1 to avoid future issues,” Bachmann assured.
