Ukad To Lead Olympic Anti-doping Taskforce

UK Anti-doping (UKAD) has been appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as secretariat for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) anti-doping taskforce in the build-up to the Rio Olympic Games.

The taskforce will oversee testing procedures and seek to fill any gaps or inconsistences in all Olympic sports, working with all relevant National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs).

The move comes amid doping violations, with Russia banned by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and five other countries placed on watch by the governing body.

This month, UKAD was also asked to oversee drug testing procedures in Russia for the period that RUSADA, the country’s anti-doping agency, remains non-compliant.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: ‘UK Anti-Doping is delighted to have been asked by the World Anti-Doping Agency to be the secretariat for the pre-Rio Anti-Doping Taskforce.

‘This is an important step forward for global sport and the protection of clean athletes. It is an opportunity for international federations and national anti-doping organisations to collaborate to ensure pre-Games testing programmes are targeted, meaningful and effective.

‘It’s the first time something like this has been done. Global co-operation is a vital aspect of protecting clean sport and developing a level playing field for all athletes.”