Surveillance and control in sport: a sociologist looks at the WADA whereabouts system

摘要

This paper draws upon the sociology of Norbert Elias to examine some central aspects ofthe whereabouts system introduced by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as partof its anti-doping policies. More specifically, the paper aims to: (1) locate the whereaboutssystem within the context of broader social processes, including changing practicesand ideas concerning surveillance and control, personal liberty, privacy anddemocracy; (2) examine the impact of the introduction of the whereabouts system onthe relationship between elite athletes andWADA; and (3) examine some of the difficultiesin developing and implementing anti-doping policy. In relation to the latter, it issuggested that the introduction of the whereabouts policy has had a number of unplannedconsequences which, from WADA’s perspective, will almost certainly be seen as unwelcome:the alienation of large numbers of athletes, whose cooperation is essential if thesystem is to operate smoothly and efficiently; the deteriorating relationship with otherkey organizations such as the EU; the emergence of a challenge, led by the European EliteAthletes Association, to the legitimacy of decision-making processes withinWADA; andfinally, the uneven application of the whereabouts requirements which has led to thecreation of what many athletes see as a new form of unfairness.Keywords: anti-doping policy; performance-enhancing drugs; WADA