Sport Ireland Among NADO Leaders Calling For Global Anti-Doping Reform

Following a summit of leaders from 17 National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) attended by Sport Ireland representatives, Chief Executive John Treacy today backed calls for global reform in the fight against doping in sport.

Commenting on the outcomes of this week’s meeting in Copenhagen which he attended along with Dr. Una May, Sport Ireland Director of Anti-Doping, Mr. Treacy said: “The global fight against doping in sport is at an important juncture. Sport Ireland joined with 16 other National Anti-Doping Organisations to collaborate and together we have drawn-up a list of recommendations. We believe these reforms will help protect clean athletes and the integrity of sport. We need to ensure that events in the recent past cannot be allowed to be repeated.

“I am delighted that Sport Ireland has played a key role in the drafting of these recommendations, and I want to commend our colleagues in the other Anti-Doping Organisations for taking prompt action to address the current short-comings in the anti-doping system.”

Among the recommendations, leaders are seeking to remove the fundamental conflict of interest which exists when anti-doping decisions are controlled by sport organisations.

Mr Treacy continued: “The group is proposing wide-ranging changes in governance across all anti-doping organisations, and is recommending that no decision maker within anti-doping organisation should hold a position of authority within a sport, or a body tasked with the organisation of an event. This is important as we need to remove the conflicts of interest.

“The recommendations also include important proposals for WADA to be strengthened and reformed through improved independence, transparency and increased investment.”

Other recommendations made include the extension and separation from sport of WADA’s authority and capacity to investigate and impose sanctions and consequences for World Anti-Doping Code non-compliance, and increased protection and support for whistleblowers by all relevant organisations including the IOC and Russia.

Dr. Una May acknowledged the swift action taken by the national anti-doping organisations to address the global concerns: “It is vitally important that the momentum of the action taken by the NADOs is carried forward as we push for unilateral change in the fight against doping. As a group there was a clear recognition of the need and a strong commitment and willingness to assist in building capacity amongst NADOs globally.”

Those present at the summit also expressed unequivocal support for the completion of the independent investigation into state sponsored doping in Russia by Richard McClaren.

The proposals were written and endorsed by anti-doping leaders from around the world including Ireland, Australia, Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States as well as the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organsiations (iNADO).

Full Recommendations & Proposals can be viewed here: http://www.antidoping.dk/~/media/AntiDopingDK/Pressemeddelelser/Special_NADO_Summit_Reform_Proposals_Final.pdf