IOC announce plans for new anti-doping organisation

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board has put forward proposals for a new global anti-doping organisation, to be led by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA), in a bid to restore credibility.

Athletics was rocked when a report published by an independent commission set up by WADA in November resulted in Russia's suspension amid allegations of state-sponsored doping.

Under the proposed system, sports organisations would transfer funds used in the fight against doping and hand over doping control operations to the new organisation, which would include an intelligence gathering unit to help WADA act more proactively.

National governments are also being called upon to help finance the initiative.

"An independent testing and results management entity should be set up under the leadership of WADA," a statement said.

"This organisation should also co-ordinate the work of the national anti-doping agencies to ensure a streamlined, efficient and worldwide harmonised anti-doping system.

"Governments, which are 50 per cent partners of WADA, should support this reform alongside the sports movement, both logistically and financially.

"Within this organisation a professional intelligence gathering unit should be established. This would allow WADA to be proactive. The unit should address issues that may affect the compliance of anti-doping organisations and anti-doping laboratories accredited by WADA, at the earliest possible stage.

"Sanctions should be pronounced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In such a way also, the system of sanctions would be centralised, be cost-efficient and lead to harmonisation among all sports and all countries.

"The IOC strives to have such an independent anti-doping system in place from the Olympic Winter Games 2018 onwards."

IOC president Thomas Bach added: "We have to drive this initiative to a decision in principal. If you look at it with some business experience I think it is quite logical that if you combine all the many efforts undertaken by so many international federations independent from each other, if you put the resources together this will make the system more effective.

"The first step is now to see what the respective international federations are investing in this and putting this money together, then addressing the governments.

"I would warn from a discussion where we find all sorts of details and problems in every respect because then we would lose sight of the real target.

"What is important now is determination for reform in the anti-doping system in this way. If you have this determination I have no doubt we can make it happen. Where there is a will there is a way."

The IOC also announced independent financial audits will be carried out on its major grants to international federations, national Olympic bodies and games' organising committees.