The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) signed a bilateral agreement with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), USADA Chief Executive Officer Terry Madden announced Thursday, in a move that will strengthen the fight against doping in sport.
The agreement, signed by Madden and CCES’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Melia, will see that the two organizations cooperate in the field of anti-doping to help create a more ethical international sporting environment.
USADA is the independent testing agency for Olympic sports in the United States, and was created as the result of recommendations set forth by the United States Olympic Committee’s Select Task Force on Externalization. USADA began operations Oct. 1, 2000, with full authority for testing, education, research and adjudication for U.S. Olympic, Pan Am and Paralympic athletes. It is USADA’s responsibility to develop a comprehensive national anti-doping program for the Olympic Movement in the United States.
The agreement permits the testing of their own and each other’s athletes either by request or at the discretion of the testing party when the athlete is in the other country. In addition, a the agreement also provides for a mutual exchange of technology, knowledge and expertise in such areas as testing procedures, athlete services and education.
As a non-profit corporation under the leadership of an independent board of directors, USADA has the authority to set forth guiding principles in anti-doping policy and to enforce any doping violations. In addition to managing collection and testing procedures, USADA is also responsible for enhancing research efforts and promoting educational programs to inform athletes of the rules governing the use of performance enhancing substances, the ethics of doping and its harmful health effects.
Madden feels that CCES’s expertise will be invaluable as USADA further develops its independent and accountable anti-doping program in the United States.
“With the assistance of a fine organization like CCES, we are prepared to enhance our credible and high quality anti-doping program,” said Madden. “We are looking forward to working collaboratively with CCES, which is widely regarded as the standard for national anti-doping organizations.”
“This Agreement significantly strengthens our ability to protect athletes’ rights to fair and doping-free sport in North America,” said Melia. “The CCES has been impressed by the speed with which USADA has moved to put in place a comprehensive anti-doping program and we look forward to a mutually beneficial working relationship.”
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