The ITA officialises cooperation on information exchange linked to doping with Japanese authorities for Tokyo 2020

The International Testing Agency (ITA) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) that will promote collaboration and facilitate information sharing in the lead-up to and during the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The ITA will independently manage and monitor anti-doping operations in the run-up to and during the Games, in close cooperation with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee and with the full support of the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA). To further ensure the implementation of an effective and robust anti-doping program and the sharing of relevant information on potential doping violations, the ITA has now entered into an official cooperation with the relevant Japanese governmental agencies together with the Organising Committee and JADA.

In order to facilitate the exchange of information related to possible anti-doping violations, the ITA and all entities that have signed the MoC recognise the importance of close cooperation in the area of intelligence and investigations. All parties involved are fully committed to ensuring that the Games are clean and that all available measures can be taken swiftly should the use or trafficking of banned substances or methods be discovered in the context of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

Under this new MoC, the ITA will be able to count on the full support of Japan Sport Agency (JSA) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Japan Sport Council (JSC), JADA, and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, in relation to intelligence and anti-doping activities in connection with the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The ITA will also share any available intelligence with the Japanese authorities to allow them to fulfil their mandate under Japanese Law and the UNESCO Convention Against Doping in Sport.

“This Memorandum further underlines the dedication of the involved partners to deliver clean and fair Olympic Games and I look forward to a strong collaboration between all entities in the lead up to and during Tokyo 2020”, states Dr. Valérie Fourneyron, Chair of the ITA Foundation Board. “I am very pleased to see that the highest Japanese authorities in charge of sport, including the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), have reached this agreement with the ITA. It will secure proper channels of communication and the efficient sharing of information should there be any suspicions on doping activities in Tokyo this summer.”

Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto commented, “We are delighted to conclude this five-party agreement covering anti-doping for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. In previous years, the problem of doping has cast a shadow not only across the Olympic and Paralympic Games but across various other sporting events too. I believe mutual cooperation forms a very important part of any anti-doping policy. With this memorandum, we will deepen our cooperation to ensure that the Tokyo 2020 Games will be a place where clean athletes can perform at their best.”

All signatories of the MoC are resolutely committed to adopting a zero-tolerance approach against doping and will do everything in their respective powers to protect the health of all Olympians and the integrity and fairness of the Games.