The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has announced reforms to better target doping facilitators
Chief Executive of the incoming Sport Integrity Australia and current CEO of ASADA, David Sharpe said the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Enhancing Australia’s Anti-Doping Capability) Bill 2019 would strengthen Australia’s capabilities to target facilitators.
“While the legislation will enable anti-doping agencies to target third party facilitators, the focus remains on education and strategies aimed at informing athletes and the community of the dangers of doping,” Mr Sharpe said.
“Along with athlete welfare this remains our primary concern,” he said.
Mr Sharpe said the additional powers would also allow for greater flexibility around recommendations for lower level athletes who may not have been exposed to education programs.
“The ASADA Amendment Bills will expedite the participant’s opportunity to have a fair hearing and ensure that the ultimate decision as to whether a person has committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) will be made by an independent and impartial decision maker,” he said.
He said the reforms were “athlete-focused” and would streamline the administration of the ADRV process; allow discretion to recreational and lower level athletes; and ensure an impartial hearing via the National Sports Tribunal, if required.
“Stage 1 will be completed on 1 July with opening of Sport Integrity Australia, bringing together the current functions of ASADA, the National Integrity of Sport Unit (NISU) in the Department of Health, and the nationally focused integrity functions of Sport Australia,” he said”
“Stage 2, to commence on 1 July, will see Sport Integrity Australia develop capabilities to implement the Government’s response to the Wood Review,” Mr Sharpe said.
