ITA Pre-Games Expert Group on the road to Tokyo 2020

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has delegated to the International Testing Agency (ITA) the implementation of the anti-doping programme for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games, in order to make it independent from the IOC. This work includes the lead of pre-Games activities to ensure that intelligence-led and effective testing is conducted globally on prospective athletes through a coordinated effort amongst all anti-doping organisations between now and the Games next summer. A group composed of experts from diverse backgrounds, sports and regions has been set up by the ITA to support that work. The ITA is also responsible for the anti-doping programme during the Games and plans on collecting around 6.000 samples.

Leading the Pre-Games Expert Group and serving as its secretariat, the ITA is intensely collaborating with the other expert group members – five of whom are International Federation delegates nominated by the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), and five are National Anti-Doping Organisation delegates, nominated by the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organisations (iNADO). Together, they form a diverse and independent body spanning across five continents and representing large, medium and small federations with expert knowledge on individual and team sports.

The ITA Pre-Games Expert Group is responsible for reviewing available anti-doping information on athletes who are likely to compete in the Games. It performs gap analysis and shares testing recommendations with other anti-doping organisations (ADOs) to ensure that effective testing is conducted globally through a coordinated effort. Now fully operational, the group held its kick-off meeting on 12 September 2019 and continues to meet (either in person or remotely) on a bi-weekly basis.

During the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the ITA will be handling the anti-doping programme on-site from the opening of the Olympic Villages to the end of the competitions. In total, the ITA plans to collect around 6.000 samples before and during the Games. The ITA will also be responsible for the results management and case handling.

Composition of the ITA Tokyo 2020 Pre-Games Expert Group:

ITA

Management, secretariat

NADO Experts:

Mr. Daniel Ashworth – UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) 

Mr. Chris Butler – Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) 

Dr. Matt Fedoruk – U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) Mr. Akira Kataoka – Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) 

Mrs. Rym Zerifi – Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) Africa Zone I

IF Experts:

Prof. Xavier Bigard – Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)

Ms. Leslie Buchanan – International Triathlon Union (ITU)

Mr. Stuart Miller – International Tennis Federation (ITF)

Dr. Margo Mountjoy – International Swimming Federation (FINA)

Mr. Alexis Weber – Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)