Fight Against Doping -- WADA, Interpol Join Forces; U.K. Approves NADO

WADA, INTERPOL to Join Forces

The World Anti-Doping Agency and Interpol, the world police force, formalized their relationship on Monday.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald Noble and WADA Director General David Howman at INTERPOL’s General Secretariat in Lyon, France.

According to a press release from WADA, “The agreement will see both agencies work together to develop best practice and inter-agency cooperation at all levels, particularly in the area of evidence gathering and information sharing on doping and trafficking in doping.”

“WADA is very grateful to INTERPOL for partnering with us in combating the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport,” said WADA’s President John Fahey in a statement.

“As demonstrated by recent high-profile doping cases and investigations, government action and the sharing of information between law enforcement agencies and anti-doping organizations can be crucial in exposing anti-doping rule violations that would not have been detected through testing. WADA is looking forward to intensifying cooperation with INTERPOL to further protect young sportsmen and women from the harm of doping.”

U.K. Anti-Doping Organization Approved Gerry Sutcliffe said plans for the UK’s first anti-doping organization were approved on Wednesday.

Plans for the U.K.’s new National Anti-Doping Organization were approved on Wednesday, meaning the NADO will be open for business by the end of the year.

The provisionally titled “U.K. Anti-Doping” is a departure from the previous program which was not independent and operated under the auspices of UK Sport.

Gerry Sutcliffe, the U.K.’s sports minister, said, “The global fight against doping in sport has shifted and the move to a new, standalone NADO reflects that change. The NADO will build on the excellent work of UK Sport which has established us as a world leader in the field.”

Following the original announcement, UK Sport developed a detailed Business Plan outlining the operations of the new NADO, the budgets required to deliver existing and new functions, and the process for transition from UK Sport. It has worked closely with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to secure the funding required. When fully operational, the new NADO will have a budget of more than $10 million invested in 2010/11, a 60 percent increase on the current budget.

John Steele, chief executive of UK Sport, said. “The new NADO marks an exciting new chapter in anti-doping in the U.K., and we are sending out a clear statement of intent ahead of 2012 that doping in this country will not be tolerated.”

Thanou Trial on Hold

The trial for Greek sprinters Katerina Thanou and Costas Kenteris was put on hold until Nov. 10. According to the Associated Press, court officials said the cases on Thursday’s docket, when they were supposed to testify, went longer than anticipated. Katerina Thanou’s trial has been postponed until November. (Getty Images)

Thanou and Kenteris are on trial over accusations the pair made false statements to authorities over a motorcycle crash that happened during the Athens Olympics. It is alleged they staged the crash to avoid a drug test.

Thanou was a leading candidate for a Greek gold medal in athletics at the Athens Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.