Bach calls for "much stronger" WADA

President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach addressed in front of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg on Wednesday, calling on member states of the European forum to join forces for anti-doping.

Regarding the recent row between the IOC and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Bach wanted to "address the extremely important issue of the protection of the clean athletes and the fight against doping" and urged that all partners to work for "a more robust, more efficient and more transparent WADA anti-doping system."

"Especially over the course of the last two years, deficiencies of the World Anti-Doping Agency in the fight against doping have become apparent," he told parliamentarians from 47 member states of the Council of Europe (COE), pan-European organization based in Strasbourg.

"It is encouraging to see that the World Anti-Doping Agency is now starting to address these deficiencies through the organisation of Think Tanks and other measures.

"This is why the Olympic Movement under the leadership of the IOC outlined its strategy for a strengthened fight against doping just a few days ago," added Bach.

Speaking in the introduction of a debate on "Sport for all: a bridge to equality, integration and social inclusion", the IOC chief also welcomed the report of the Spanish parliamentary Carmen Quintanilla which is subject to a resolution of PACE.

"In our fragile world, shaken by crises and mistrust, we need this spirit of dialogue and cooperation more than ever," he said.

"Sport has the unique power to bring people together, regardless of background, gender, culture or belief," said Bach, raising the refugee team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games as an example. Endit