Statement upon WADA’s Independent Commission’s Report Part 2
Antidoping Switzerland has taken notice of the report by the Independent Investigation Commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that was presented in Munich on 14 January 2016. Antidoping Switzerland congratulates WADA’s Independent Commission on its quick and comprehensive work.
In the context of antidoping endeavours, the report has revealed a shocking culture of corruption, cousinage and cover-up among the head of the IAAF. Just as well, controlling-instruments of any kind were proven to have failed.
Antidoping Switzerland is fully WADA code-compliant and justifiably accountable to various national as well as international authorities and organisations. Moreover, by getting the quality standard certification ISO 9001 :2015, Antidoping Switzerland has shown its activies to be examined by external authorities as well. In this context, Matthias Kamber, Head of Antidoping Switzerland, pronounces his astonishment upon the fact that the IAAF is considered code-compliant despite depcited cirumcstances within the report. To him, a reconsideration by WADA seems inevitable.
Kamber claims that «in order to regain trust in the fight against doping, testing shall more often be conducted by auditable, independent agencies». Quite obviously, interests potentially collide when International Federations are to conduct doping controls on the one hand, and bear responsibility for the promotion of their sport on the other. As a consequence and with Olympic Games 2016 in mind, Antidoping Switzerland demands an augmentation of doping controls conducted by independent agencies. It goes without saying that these shall be of unannounced character. Thereby, particular attention shall be payed to countries that show rather great potential to win medals as well as to those lacking thorough and independent fight against doping. Only by doing so, fair conditions for all athletes can be enabled. However, the implementation of such cannot be managed by WADA as a monitoring and regulatory authority. Antidoping Switzerland is very much willing to contribute its share together with a network of other independent anti-doping agencies.