In 2001 an international research group consisting of sports law experts from Germany, The Netherlands and the UK finalized a research study on "Legal Comparison and the Harmonisation of Doping Rules", commissioned by the EU. The study provided the drafters of the World Anti-Doping (WADA) Code, which was finally adopted in 2004 and is now officially in force, with an important tool, giving them an overview of the doping rules and regulations of national and international sports organisations, including a comparative analysis, as well as a survey and analysis of the relevant public law legislation available.This publication is instrumental to better understanding the background of the issue of the harmonisation of doping rules and regulations, the results of which are laid down in the WADA Code, which is a milestone in the international campaign to combat doping in sports.