The ITA enters collaboration agreement with Anti-Doping Norway

In alignment with its strong commitment to strengthen global clean sport efforts through collaboration with anti-doping organisations, the ITA has entered an agreement with Anti-Doping Norway (ADNO). ADNO was established in 2003 to ensure that doping controls and prosecution activities for doping cases are organised independently from the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) and the Norwegian Government. Today, ADNO is a significant player in the Norwegian sports community and in the international anti-doping landscape.

The collaboration agreement aims at strengthening the anti-doping work of both organisations; it focuses on harmonising testing efforts to ensure an effective allocation of resources. The agreement also benefits athletes, as the coordination of testing efforts can be improved and potential unnecessary colliding doping controls through two different anti-doping bodies can be avoided. The alliance also supports the exchange of information between the ITA and ADNO, which will benefit both potential investigations and intelligence-led doping controls for both partners.

“I thank Anti-Doping Norway, a key anti-doping organisation in Europe, for showing their trust in the ITA by entering this collaboration with us. This partnership will enable the ITA and Anti-Doping Norway to create important synergies between national- and international-level anti-doping programs”, notes ITA Director General Benjamin Cohen. “Together, we can enhance the efficiency of our anti-doping efforts and increase our abilities to uncover doping through information sharing.”

“Anti-Doping Norway is already engaged in ITA’s IDCO Training Program, and the collaboration agreement is therefore an important, but natural next step in strengthening the relationship between Anti-Doping Norway and the ITA. Cooperation between national and international anti-doping bodies is key to strengthen the fight against doping in sports” notes CEO of Anti-Doping Norway, Anders Solheim. “Only by learning from each other, coordinating our efforts, and creating synergies, will we be able to perform at our best in our work to protect the clean athletes.”

The ITA has already established frameworks of collaboration with 21 NADOs. Additionally, the ITA fosters partnerships with NADOs and other partners to specifically promote quality testing across the world through its IDCO Training & Certification Program. The program enables existing trained Doping Control Officers (DCOs) currently working at a local or national level to attain an advanced ITA Certification and to deliver testing programs at international sporting events such as international championships, Olympic Games, and other major events. Anti-Doping Norway is committed to deliver this ITA Certification to their workforce and training is already scheduled to take place virtually by the end of March.

The ITA strongly believes that the anti-doping community is able to bring the support of athletes to the next level by working hand-in-hand through close partnerships and cooperation. Consequently, the ITA welcomes to its network any National Anti-Doping Organisation that wishes to join this initiative and will actively seek further collaborations.