Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) and the International Testing Agency (ITA) have signed a partnership agreement to strengthen Australia’s anti-doping program. The collaboration and service agreement will allow the two organizations to coordinate the testing of athletes under their respective authority and share information for athletes under specific anti-doping authority. The ITA will also have access to all relevant Athlete Blood Passport data, Athlete Passport Management Unit reports, and test results.

SIA CEO, David Sharpe, believes that the partnership significantly enhances anti-doping operations in Australia and around the world.

“Sport Integrity Australia is always looking to work with and learn from other anti-doping agencies and to protect innocent athletes. By partnering with other leading global anti-doping agencies like the ITA we are strengthening the testing program for clean athletes in Australia and abroad.” Mr Sharpe said.

The ITA Director General, Benjamin Cohen, sees the collaboration as beneficial to both potential investigations and intelligence-led doping controls in Australia and for the country’s athletes. The ITA is an independent expert anti-doping program provider for International Federations and major event organizers.

“Sport Integrity Australia is a progressive and innovative integrity player that inspires us when it comes to learning, sharing knowledge and best practice, and further developing our mutual activities for the benefit of athletes and sport in general. We are very pleased about this cooperation agreement which will help us to ensure better organisation of testing and coordination of any intelligence or investigative activities on Australian soil to help protect Australian and international-level athletes.” Mr Cohen said.

SIA is the National Anti-Doping Organisation for Australia and the partnership with ITA strengthens anti-doping capabilities in the country. The two organizations will work together on a range of programs and initiatives, including intelligence gathering and sharing, and the provision of anti-doping services.

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Courtesy Sport Integrity Australia