ABSTRACT
Chapter ten discusses the two guiding questions of the book: (1) how has the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) legitimacy been challenged since its foundation and (2) how has WADA responded? Drawing on evidence provided by the seven case studies, it is argued that the design and structure of the anti-doping system creates legitimacy challenges for WADA because it is characterised by a low level of consensus about its role and performance. WADA has responded to legitimacy challenges with defensive tactics, including defiance and manipulation in order to maintain the current Olympic philosophy (i.e., the spirit of sport) to anti-doping regulation. Consequently, WADA’s vulnerability to legitimacy challenges stems from an accountability ambiguity between pressure to prioritise key stakeholders for survival and expectations to represent all stakeholder demands. As long as the Executive Committee cannot satisfy the demands of every stakeholder, WADA’s legitimacy will remain trapped between single and multiple accountability disorders. The chapter finishes with recommendations to strengthen WADA’s perceived legitimacy via governance and structural reform.
