International Testing Agency commences operations

The new International Testing Agency (ITA) has now commenced operations, providing comprehensive anti-doping services to the global sports community.

The ITA will be headquartered in the Swiss city Lausanne, home to the majority of international sporting bodies.

The ITA claims to act independently of any sports organisation or national interest with its establishment seen as a key step in the global fight for clean sport.

“We are extremely happy to officially move into our new headquarters in Lausanne,” said the Foundation Board’s President Valérie Fourneyron, the former French Sports Minister.

“Our team will have the chance to operate in the Olympic capital and benefit from the strong know-how that exists in Lausanne and the state of Vaud. 

“We look forward to providing the global sport community and athletes with our expertise in clean sport. 

“Our primary focus will be to regain trust by acting upon doping issues evenly across all sports worldwide.”

The ITA’s board is also comprised of World Archery and Turkish Olympic Committee president Uğur Erdener, who will serve as the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) representative.

The remaining two members are Zimbabwean swimmer Kirsty Coventry and China’s Peijie Chen.

The establishment of the ITA was first discussed at the Olympic Summit held in October 2015 and confirmed by the IOC Executive Board in March 2017 as one of the principles to strengthen the global anti-doping system.

The Foundation Board was then ratified by the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (Wada’s) Executive Committee in October.