Sport Ireland and International Testing Agency sign deal to advance shared clean sport goals
By Sarah Stanley
Sport Ireland has partnered with the International Testing Agency (ITA) to share knowledge and intelligence and better coordinate doping controls in the fight against the use of banned athletic performance-enhancing drugs.
This collaboration ensures stronger ties with national and regional anti-doping entities. The new partnership is geared towards coordinating testing initiatives that will improve the distribution of resources and the implementation of intelligence-driven clean sport approaches both nationally and globally.
Sport Ireland CEO Dr Úna May said: "This collaboration between Sport Ireland and the International Testing Agency signifies a pivotal moment in our ongoing efforts to safeguard the integrity of sport.
“By joining forces with the ITA, we are not only enhancing our capabilities in doping control but also reinforcing our commitment to fair play and clean competition.
“This will enable us to pool expertise and resources, ultimately ensuring that athletes in Ireland and beyond can compete on a level playing field with confidence and integrity."
ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen said: "We are delighted to enter into this co-operation agreement with Sport Ireland, which will further enhance our ability to harmonise testing and share relevant information within the European continent.
“This new partnership underlines the commitment of our two organisations to improve anti-doping efforts at international and national level and to work side by side for clean sport."
Sport Ireland Anti-Doping plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of sports in Ireland by enforcing anti-doping measures and promoting clean competition.
The ITA has forged bilateral cooperation agreements with more than 35 National and Regional Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs/RADOs) and has allied with over 60 anti-doping bodies in recent years to provide advanced training and certification to their doping control personnel.
About ITA
The International Testing Agency (ITA) is an international organisation constituted as a not-for-profit foundation, based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Its mission is to manage anti-doping programs, independent from sporting or political powers, for International Federations (IFs), major event organisers and all other anti-doping organisations requesting support.