IOC Calls On WADA To Lead On Global Anti-Doping Enforcement

The IOC and WADA are "ready to cooperate on a new campaign to go after drug cheats," after the IOC yesterday called on the anti-doping agency to "take the lead on global enforcement." The IOC said it envisions “a more robust, more efficient, more transparent and more harmonized WADA anti-doping system.” Yesterday’s developments "seemed to represent a thaw between the organizations" (L.A. TIMES, 10/9). The IOC "emerged with a plan to increase the power" of the WADA, "affirming that organization’s central role in the fight against cheating." After a "four-hour, closed-door meeting with some 20 sports officials," IOC President Thomas Bach "expressed broad support for the agency." He also "called for WADA to be fortified but deferred to the agency itself on specifics, including how much more money it would need to carry out its expanded mandate" (N.Y. TIMES, 10/9).