Letter to the Chairman, Phil Willis MP,
from Gerry Sutcliffe MP, Minister for Sport, Department for Culture
Media and Sport
I am writing to let you know that today I will
announce my agreement, in principle and subject to further detailed
work, to a recommendation from the Board of UK Sport that our
National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO) takes on a range of new
powers, and becomes independent of UK Sport. I would expect the
new agency to be fully operational in advance of 2012.
This recommendation comes on the back of a six
month review carried out by a Working Group of UK Sport and DCMS
officials, looking at the most effective way for the UK's NADO
to successfully face future challenges in the fight against doping
in sport.
Uppermost of these challenges is the need to
strengthen further our working relationships with colleagues in
enforcement agencies, focusing more closely on those involved
in the trafficking and supply of prohibited substances to our
athletes. This is a priority for me, which is why I have established
a cross-departmental anti-doping working group, tasked with increasing
the effectiveness of the good working relationships we already
have in place. It was with this in mind that the new functions
and structure were proposed, and why I agree with them.
I strongly believe that the changes I am announcing
are a step in the right direction, particularly as we move toward
2012. We have always taken the issue of doping in sport seriously
and now, as a future host nation, we have the opportunity to show
the world that this is the case. I have no doubt that you will
agree that this is the right thing to do, and at the right time.
I have included a copy of our press release
with this.[1]
December 2007
1 http://www.uksport.gov.uk/news/plans_for_new_national_anti-doping_organisation_announced/ Back
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