WADA calls for more resources to advance anti-doping efforts

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) called for stronger support from sport organizations and governments in the wake of Russia's doping crisis.

   On Monday, a WADA-initiated independent commission published a report accusing Russia of numerous anti-doping rule violations.   

   WADA spokesperson Ben Nichols Saturday said the anti-doping coordination body are confident in their work but they need more committed efforts from "every sport and every country".

   "As the report confirmed, Russia and athletics are not the only country and sport that face the threat of doping," Nichols said in an email to Xinhua.

   "Doping is a very current threat to sport but WADA are absolutely confident we have the right tools to protect the clean athletes," Nichols said.

   The anti-doping fight has been upgraded each year as new rules were set down, including 4-year sanctions for real cheats, smarter testing, punishments on guilty athlete entourage and increased focus on investigations.

   "For anti-doping to truly succeed under these new, improved rules, we need a strong will from all partners and we must collectively protect the rights of clean athletes in every sport and every country," he said.

   Nichols admitted that the report about widespread doping could damage the confidence in clean athletes, which is why immediate actions must be taken quickly and firmly. 

   "There is no doubt the report this week will have shaken the confidence of clean athletes who feel cheated by the system that was in place in Russian athletics. Furthermore, there is no doubt that there are increasing signs of doping fatigue amongst the public," Nichol said.

   "Make no mistake, action is and will be taken to rectify any deficiencies in the anti-doping system," he said.

   A Moscow-based WADA accredited anti-doping lab was banned Tuesday and Russia's athletics association received provisional suspension from the sport's world ruling body on Friday when WADA ruled that the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) violated its code.   

   In a potentially major change, WADA will discuss the the proposal of doping control independent from sport organizations at the forthcoming WADA Board Meeting in Colorado Springs next Wednesday.

   "The merits of such a plan, and how it would be funded, will need to be discussed in full by sport and government," Nichols said.

   "WADA as an agency has long punched well above its weight. However, the anti-doping community now recognizes that if we are to advance further, significant new resource will be needed," he added.  Endi