Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni participated today, as one of the European representatives, to the Foundation Board of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Prior to this meeting, public authorities' officials met in London, at the invitation of the Council of Europe and of the Norwegian delegation, in order to co-ordinate their positions at this critical moment for the global fight against doping.
The public authorities of the five continents affirmed their commitment to the fight for clean sport and for the health and safety of athletes. They expressed their full support for the role of WADA, recalling that its primary purpose must be the protection of the rights of clean athletes, which must not be undermined by any political or commercial interests. The authorities will participate actively in the efforts to strengthen good governance in the anti-doping landscape, to ensure an effective compliance and sanctions system for signatories to the World Anti-Doping Code, and to protect whistle-blowers.
A close collaboration between the public authorities and the sports movement, in an equal partnership, remains an essential foundation for this work.
"The meeting between the public authorities in London was a first. There was a clear recognition that the five continents wish to work together to combat the global threat of doping to clean sport and this is reflected in the positions they put forward at the Glasgow meeting. I am very pleased that the Council of Europe was able to facilitate this very productive first step towards a strengthened governmental response to doping", said Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni.
