28 November 2019
The ITA was formed in early 2018 with the operational nucleus coming from GAISF’s own Doping-Free Sport Unit (DFSU), which had originally been created to support GAISF Members in implementing effective and compliant anti-doping programmes.
The MoU with the ITA underlines GAISF’s ongoing support for International Federations to promote a doping-free international sports movement by ensuring that its Members remain compliant and committed to the fight against doping.
As part of the agreement, GAISF will support and promote the role of the ITA and use the ITA as a partner for the management and implementation of doping control activities at future multi-sport games. In return, the ITA will assist GAISF Members in the framework of the 2021 revision of the World Anti-Doping Code by offering legal consultancy and conducting anti-doping education with Members at GAISF events.
Earlier this month, GAISF President Raffaele Chiulli represented GAISF Members at the World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) Conference on Doping in Sport, which discussed the future of anti-doping programmes at length and reviewed international standards in a number of key areas.
As a major event organiser and a signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code, GAISF is one of 13 multi-sport organisations that has pledged its commitment to the values of clean sport, alongside the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other key stakeholders.
ITA Chair Dr Valérie Fourneyron said:
“The ITA’s mission is to deliver independent and quality anti-doping programmes for the protection of athletes worldwide.
“It is very encouraging to see an organisation such as GAISF, which represents so many International Federations, putting anti-doping at the forefront of its commitment to international sport. Keeping sport real is very much a mission that requires strong partnerships and I look forward to the many benefits this MoU with GAISF will bring to the athletes and the sport movement as a whole.”
In recognition of this initiative, President Raffaele Chiulli said:
“Anti-doping programmes ensure that we preserve what is intrinsically valuable to the sports world and all who play, watch and follow it. This is the spirit of sport.
“Clean sport is an ethos we live by at GAISF and we strive to promote this message to all of our International Federations all over the world. “I am delighted to announce the MoU with the ITA as a symbol of our everyday commitment and drive towards clean sport and I very much look forward to working with the ITA in the future.”