Norwegian Vows WADA Shakeup

(ATR) The election for a new president is still a year away, but there’s already a candidate who could mean change for the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Norwegian Minister for Children and Equalities Linda Helleland says she is interested in the job currently held by Craig Reedie.

Reedie, 77, IOC member in Great Britain, is set to step down in 2019 with the completion of his second three-year mandate. With the WADA presidency rotating between sport and government, Helleland fits that category. She’s been a WADA vice president since 2016.

Currently 40 years old, she would be the youngest WADA president in the agency’s 18 year history. The previous government leader to hold the presidency is Australian John Fahey, who served from 2006 to 2012.

"WADA needs more independence, more transparency and more democracy," Helleland tells BBC in an interview.

"But also it needs a more equal partnership and right now the perception is that the Olympic Movement is the strongest partner. We need to strengthen the role of the governments, and I want to do that."

"I think it is very important to contribute my experience as a minister with good governance in all our processes, so we have more diversity and gender equality," she said.

"The most important thing for me is that we have a good president committed to making WADA stronger and more independent," Helleland told BBC reporter Dan Roan.

"I want the public and athletes to know I have done everything I can do to make sport clean. There have been some confusing years in the anti-doping movement and I'm afraid a lack of trust and confidence from fans and athletes is now a big problem," said Helleland.

"I'm very concerned about the confidence and the trust in the anti-doping movement," she said.

Helleland says she is not willing to compromise the terms WADA has set for the return of Russia to compliance with anti-doping rules and standards. At this month’s meeting of the WADA leadership in Montréal, the Russian anti-doping system was declared to be still noncompliant.

"We need to stick with our rules and regulations, and 'the roadmap' to compliance, even if some are intending to undermine its legitimacy," she said. "It's more important than ever that we are strong and stand by our principles.

"My perception is that some of our stakeholders feel that this is very difficult, but it's even more important in difficult times to stand up for your rules."

So far, Helleland is the only declared candidate for the presidency of the anti-doping agency. Others could emerge, but they must be from the government side of the WADA leadership. The full 38 member WADA foundation board will cast the vote that selects the new president.

Reported by Ed Hula.