13/04/2026

Anti-Doping Violations and the CAS Appeal Process: Athlete Rights, Proportionality, and the WADA Code

Anti-doping violations can result in severe sanctions that directly impact athletes' careers. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of violation types under the WADA Code, the CAS appeal process, the allocation of the burden of proof, the proportionality principle in sanctioning, and the experiences of Turkish athletes before CAS.

Doping constitutes one of the most critical areas of international sports law, carrying the most severe sanctions. The World Anti-Doping Code, established and regularly updated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), provides a globally binding framework for the detection, investigation, and sanctioning of doping violations. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) functions as the paramount appellate body against these violations, which directly affect athletes' careers and reputations.

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