The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) signed a bilateral agreement with the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA), USADA Chief Executive Officer Terry Madden announced Monday, in a move that will strengthen the fight against doping in sport.
The agreement, signed by Madden and ASDA’s Chief Executive Officer John Mendoza, will see that the two organizations cooperate in the field of anti-doping to help create a more ethical international sporting environment.
Last month, USADA signed a similar agreement with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).
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, the agreement also provides for a mutual exchange of technology, knowledge and expertise in such areas as testing procedures, athlete services and education.
“With the assistance of one of the world’s leading anti-doping agencies, we are committed to enhancing the credibility and effectiveness of our anti-doping response,” said Madden. “As an example, USADA is working with ASDA to adapt a drug testing management system developed by ASDA to its operation.”
“We are impressed by USADA’s progress and look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship,” said Mendoza. “This agreement significantly strengthens our ability to protect athletes’ rights to fair and doping-free sport.”
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.
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