The Chief Executive of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), David Sharpe has called on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to commission an independent investigation into allegations of bullying within WADA’s own ranks.
Mr Sharpe was responding to claims made by the Chair of WADA’s Athlete Committee, Beckie Scott (pictured) that she was “treated with disrespect and bullied” by senior officials within the organisation over her opposition to its recommendation to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA).
Ms Scott, a former Canadian Olympic champion, resigned from WADA’s Compliance Review Committee (CRC) last month over the decision. She said she faced “inappropriate” comments that “were indicative of a general attitude of dismissal and belittling of the athlete voice” from some members of WADA’s Executive Committee.
Mr Sharpe said Ms Scott is one of the most respected voices in the anti-doping community and “her allegations must be investigated and acted upon by the WADA executive”.
“Bullying has no place in society and it is abhorrent to contemplate that a respected figure such as Ms Scott has faced such alleged behaviour from senior officials within WADA,” Mr Sharpe said.
He expressed his support for Ms Scott when she stepped down from the CRC in protest at RUSADA’s re-instatement and has once again called on Australia’s athletes to come out in support of her.
“All sports administrators must listen to the athlete’s voice,” Mr Sharpe said.
“Without the athletes we have no sport.”
