Annual Press Conference of NADA Germany 2025

At its annual press conference on Tuesday at the Conference Centre of the Federal Press Conference in Berlin, the National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) looked back on its work in 2024 and gave an overview of current anti-doping topics.

Current topics include the publication of sanction decisions in consideration of data protection and the so-called Enhanced Games. “The publication of sanction decisions from anti-doping proceedings in consideration of European data protection has been a controversial and not conclusively discussed topic for many years. NADA Germany has always clearly and unambiguously drawn attention to the problem to both the competent data protection authorities and in press releases and annual press conferences, in response to enquiries and also as part of the evaluation of the 2021 Anti-Doping Act,” said Dr Lars Mortsiefer, Chairman of NADA Germany's Executive Board and Head of the Legal Department: “The data protection supervisory authority responsible for NADA Germany sees no legal basis for the publication of sanction decisions with real names on the Internet. Any active, systematic publication with names would therefore be unlawful and could trigger liability and recourse claims for NADA Germany. However, NADA Germany will continue to inform all competent bodies about the implementation of suspensions in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC). Together with other anti-doping organisations and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), NADA Germany is committed to legally compliant, uniform publication practices,” said Mortsiefer.

Another current topic of anti-doping work is the Enhanced Games, which are due to take place in Las Vegas, USA, in 2026. “NADA Germany is clearly against the organisation and media staging of the so-called Enhanced Games. It considers them to be misleading and fundamentally wrong. The planned event format, in which performance-enhancing substances and methods are deliberately permitted and advertised, creates false incentives, trivialises health risks and also represents a serious challenge for a socially supported healthcare system. We are also very concerned about the effect on young athletes - because the Enhanced Games not only convey false ideals, but can also create role models that negatively influence young athletes,” explained Mortsiefer.

During the press conference, Mortsiefer also addressed the public perception of anti-doping work in the past year: “Strong international anti-doping work is largely based on the standardised and transparent actions of all those involved in anti-doping work. Last year, however, anti-doping work lost a great deal of trust due to various events. There is an urgent need to regain trust, which is why we are calling for constructive dialogue together with other anti-doping organisations from all continents.”

"Global harmonisation of the rules and regulations is essential for fairness and equal opportunities in sport. NADA Germany is in favour of a strong, independent regulator. NADA Germany is incorporating this demand into the current revision of the World Anti-Doping Code and involving athletes in this process,” said Mortsiefer.

Dr Eva Bunthoff, member of NADA Germany's Executive and Head of NADA Germany's Testing Department, explained NADA Germany's past work in 2024: “NADA Germany's work in 2024 was characterised by major sporting events. The educational preparation of the Olympic and Paralympic participants and the ‘Home match for fairness’ education campaign around UEFA EURO 2024 were highlights of the education work in 2024. The educational work was further strengthened, and both the relationship education measures as part of the networking work and the behavioural prevention measures such as e-learning, the online offer and the workshops were expanded.”

“Participation in international committees to recommend testing programmes prior to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the implementation of a pre-Olympic and pre-Paralympic testing programme for German athletes and the on-site presence in Paris were important measures of the 2024 testing activities and international exchange. Additional analyses, the use of the Athlete Biological Passport and the transfer of samples to long-term storage were also an integral part of the 2024 testing programme,” added Bunthoff.

“Overall, NADA Germany can draw a solid conclusion for the 2024 financial year. The financial support from the federal government, the federal states and organised sport made it possible to maintain operations as planned. However, NADA Germany remains dependent on reliable financial assurances from its funding sources to ensure that its anti-doping work can continue and develop at a consistently high level in the future. This support is of central importance not only for the work of NADA Germany itself, but also for the work of the WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratories based in Germany,” explained Mortsiefer.