Science Symposium
Since 2002, USADA has hosted the Annual USADA Symposium on Anti-Doping Science, aimed at bringing together anti-doping experts from around the world, including guests from more than 30 countries, to inform and shape meaningful anti-doping research programs for the future.
The attendees consist of WADA-accredited laboratories, anti-doping organizations, International Federations of the Olympic Movement, and scientific experts in the field of interest for each particular Symposium. A limited number of attendees are invited to attend the Symposium in order to provide a forum for exchanging scientific information.
The Symposium enables our attendees to stay up-to-date with the latest research and scientific developments in anti-doping and provides a unique opportunity to meet with peers and colleagues in their field.
Every year, the Symposium focuses on a key topic relevant to anti-doping science at that time. Read below for information regarding each Symposium.
Redefining Normal:
Disruption, Challenges, and Opportunities for Anti-Doping Science in a Global Crisis
19th Annual USADA Symposium on Anti-Doping Science
Virtual Series held weekly between
September 25 and October 23, 2020


Given the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) hosted its 19th Annual Science Symposium through five virtual video sessions held weekly between September 25 and October 23, 2020. With the virtual format, USADA was able to welcome an unprecedented number of invited participants from anti-doping organizations, laboratories, and research centers around the world.
The Virtual Series addressed the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic and the resulting global crisis, from which sport is not immune, with the theme “Redefining Normal: Disruption, Challenges, and Opportunities for Anti-Doping Science in a Global Crisis.” As anti-doping testing programs and laboratories had to quickly adapt in 2020, the symposium encouraged reflection on how to learn from the crisis to improve collaboration, build on existing scientific and program excellence, and develop resilience and novel solutions in the face of new global realities.