New Chair For Independent Testing Authority

It’s reported that the chairperson for the new Independent Testing Authority will be 57 year-old Former French Sports Minister Former French Sports Minister Valérie Fourneyron.

She is set to become chair of the new Independent Testing Authority (ITA) currently being set-up to take over drugs testing procedures for all International sport. Drugs testing is very important in sport, no athlete should be taking drugs to win in competitions, they have to be equal. Some athletes may google phrases such as “What should know to pass a drug test.” However, this will not work for them, as drugs in the system can be detected in various ways and have varying lengths of time in the bloodstream/urine, etc.

She is a former Volleyball player and a qualified doctor with 30 years’ experience in anti-doping work and is thought to garner the support of both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

She will be joined on the ruling Board by representatives from the IOC, International Federations and Athletes’ Commissions as well as an independent member.

Fourneyron served as French Sports Minister between 2012 and 2014 and remained a member of the National Assembly until this year.

She has also served as chair of the WADA Health, Medical and Research Committee and has played a leading role in the Steering Committees set-up to pave the way for the ITA.

It’ mentioned that under current plans the IOC representative will be U?ur Erdener Turkey’s VP and Medical and Scientific Commission chair.

Italy’s Association of Summer Olympic International Federations President Francesco Ricci Bitti will represent the International Federations.

It’s mentioned that the Athlete’s representative could be Zimbabwe’s double Olympic swimming Gold medallist Kirsty Coventry, who is currently a member of the IOC Athletes’ Commission.

Peijie Chen from China, the current president of Shanghai Institute of Physical Education, will be the independent representative.

There might be a non-voting member from WADA on the Swiss-based ITA Board, but as of yet has not been determined.

It is hoped that the ITA will eventually replace International Federations and event organisers as the primary body that are responsible for drug testing.

It is planned to be launched in time for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang.