Latest news with #ASOIF
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
WADA urges US authorities to shut down planned drug-fueled event Enhanced Games in LA
The global watchdog of doping in sports said Wednesday it will urge public authorities to shut down the drug-fueled Enhanced Games planned in Las Vegas next year. 'We will urge the U.S. authorities to find legal ways to block this initiative,' World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka said on the sidelines of a meeting of Olympic sports bodies. Organisers of the games scheduled next May promise USD 1 million bonuses to beat world record times by athletes who will be encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. 'This initiative seeks to normalise the use of potentially dangerous drugs,' Banka told leaders of Summer Olympic sports at the annual meeting of their umbrella group, known as ASOIF. 'For the sake of athlete health and the purity of sport of course it must be stopped,' the WADA leader said. Banka, a former sports minister in Poland, suggested the Enhanced Games could be legally exposed in the state of Nevada or federally. ALSO READ | Duplantis headlines Oslo Diamond League, Warholm eyes 300m hurdles showdown 'This is something that has to be explored from the legal perspective,' he told the Associated Press. 'I cannot imagine, for instance, doctors giving the drugs to the athletes. It is completely against the values of their work. The main thing is this event is going to be located in the U.S., so I think there is a strong role to be played by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency,' said Banka, whose Montreal-based organisation has long had a troubled relationship with the American agency. USADA's chief executive, Travis Tygart, has described the Enhanced Games as a 'dangerous clown show that puts profit over principle.' Investors in the project, which aims to sell personalised supplements and substances plans to subscribers, include one group backed by Donald Trump Jr. The doping-backed project was 'very embarrassing' for the U.S., Banka suggested, given its proximity to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'I think the main responsibility is on USADA's shoulders, who need to take the lead because it is in their country,' he said. Swimming's governing body, World Aquatics, said last week it will ban athletes, coaches and officials who take part in the Enhanced Games.
National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Anti-doping watchdog urges U.S. authorities to shut down planned drug-fueled event in Las Vegas
The global watchdog of doping in sports said Wednesday it will urge public authorities to shut down the drug-fueled Enhanced Games planned in Las Vegas next year. Article content 'We will urge the U.S. authorities to find legal ways to block this initiative,' World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka said on the sidelines of a meeting of Olympic sports bodies. Article content Article content Organizers of the games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses to beat world record times by athletes who will be encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. Article content 'This initiative seeks to normalize the use of potentially dangerous drugs,' Banka told leaders of Summer Olympics sports at the annual meeting of their umbrella group, known as ASOIF. Article content 'For the sake of athlete health and the purity of sport of course it must be stopped,' the WADA leader said. Article content Banka, a former sports minister in Poland, suggested the Enhanced Games could be legally exposed in the state of Nevada or federally. Article content 'This is something that has to be explored from the legal perspective,' he told The Associated Press. 'I cannot imagine, for instance, doctors giving the drugs to the athletes. It is completely against the values of their work.' Article content 'The main thing is this event is going to be located in the U.S. so I think there is a strong role to be played by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency,' said Banka, whose Montreal-based organization has long had a troubled relationship with the American agency. Article content USADA's chief executive, Travis Tygart, has described the Enhanced Games as a 'dangerous clown show that puts profit over principle.' Article content Investors in the project — which aims to sell personalized supplements and substances plans to subscribers — include one group backed by Donald Trump Jr. Article content The doping-backed project was 'very embarrassing' for the U.S., Banka suggested, given its proximity to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Article content 'I think the main responsibility is on USADA's shoulders, who need to take the lead because it is in their country,' he said. Article content
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Anti-doping watchdog urges US authorities to shut down planned drug-fueled event in Las Vegas
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The global watchdog of doping in sports said Wednesday it will urge public authorities to shut down the drug-fueled Enhanced Games planned in Las Vegas next year. 'We will urge the U.S. authorities to find legal ways to block this initiative,' World Anti-Doping Agency president Witold Banka said on the sidelines of a meeting of Olympic sports bodies. Organizers of the games scheduled next May promise $1 million bonuses to beat world record times by athletes who will be encouraged to use performance-enhancing drugs under medical supervision. 'This initiative seeks to normalize the use of potentially dangerous drugs,' Banka told leaders of Summer Olympics sports at the annual meeting of their umbrella group, known as ASOIF. 'For the sake of athlete health and the purity of sport of course it must be stopped,' the WADA leader said. Banka, a former sports minister in Poland, suggested the Enhanced Games could be legally exposed in the state of Nevada or federally. 'This is something that has to be explored from the legal perspective,' he told The Associated Press. 'I cannot imagine, for instance, doctors giving the drugs to the athletes. It is completely against the values of their work.' 'The main thing is this event is going to be located in the U.S. so I think there is a strong role to be played by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency,' said Banka, whose Montreal-based organization has long had a troubled relationship with the American agency. USADA's chief executive, Travis Tygart, has described the Enhanced Games as a 'dangerous clown show that puts profit over principle.' Investors in the project — which aims to sell personalized supplements and substances plans to subscribers — include one group backed by Donald Trump Jr. The doping-backed project was 'very embarrassing' for the U.S., Banka suggested, given its proximity to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. 'I think the main responsibility is on USADA's shoulders, who need to take the lead because it is in their country,' he said. Swimming's governing body World Aquatics said last week it will ban athletes, coaches and officials who take part in the Enhanced Games. sports: /sports
Qatar Tribune
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Sheikh Joaan and Francesco Ricci Bitti exchange perspectives on sport governance
Tribune News Network Doha On the sidelines of the ITTF Summit and Annual General Meeting in Doha, H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, President of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), met with Francesco Ricci Bitti, Honorary Life President of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and former President of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) for a strategic discussion on sport governance and international tennis development. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange perspectives on the evolving landscape of international sport governance, particularly in the context of the ASOIF governance framework. Ricci Bitti, who has played a central role in shaping and advancing these standards globally, shared his experience leading governance reform across Olympic federations. The discussion reflected Qatar's efforts to align its national sporting bodies with internationally recognised principles of integrity, transparency, and autonomy. Sheikh Joaan underlined the importance of strong, credible governance structures as the foundation for the sustainability and legitimacy of sport organisations. He also emphasised the QOC's commitment to ongoing institutional development and its readiness to contribute to wider global efforts to strengthen governance at all levels of the sport ecosystem. The meeting also addressed the future of international tennis. As Honorary President of the ITF, Ricci Bitti remains closely engaged with the sport's global development. The conversation touched on pathways for growth, including in emerging markets, and the role of national and regional institutions in supporting both elite performance and broader participation. Sheikh Joaan reaffirmed Qatar's long-term engagement with tennis, both through its professional events and its support for youth development and regional cooperation. Ricci Bitti will be formally named an Honorary Member of the International Olympic Committee on June 24 in recognition of his decades of service to the Olympic Movement. Sheikh Joaan extended his congratulations, acknowledging Ricci Bitti's enduring influence on the evolution of international sport and his contributions to institutional excellence.
Zawya
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Kirsty Coventry Makes Olympic History: Youth, Ubuntu, and a First-Round Knockout
Kirsty Coventry, the first woman, African, and youngest of the candidates, has emerged victorious as the tenth President of the Olympic Committee. Some may argue this outcome was predictable, given that Thomas Bach had selected her as his successor. While Bach's endorsement played a pivotal role, something else must have influenced those who decided to place their bet on her in the first round of voting, an outcome that many of the most experienced Olympic commentators deemed impossible. Coventry secured 49 votes out of 97, followed by Samaranch with 28 votes, with the others far behind. AGE During an interview we organized for colleagues worldwide, she said: "First and foremost, I would have loved to be the youngest-ever candidate, but most of you know that our founder, Pierre de Coubertin, was actually the youngest at age 33, so I've got a good decade on him, which I'm proud of. But really, it's a great honour to be in this race.' WHAT HAPPENED? She was right, but why such a landslide of votes so quickly? Several factors could have contributed to this. One possibility lies in the events of recent months. The traditional IOC world may have been somewhat shaken by a new development: four of the seven candidates are presidents of international federations and ex officio members - meaning they are members as long as they remain in office. This special, yet temporary, membership was introduced in the 1990s. THE PAST Juan Antonio Samaranch, then IOC president, had accepted the persistent request of Primo Nebiolo, who had also created the ASOIF, to bring them into the Olympic family. To appease him, Samaranch granted the request, and the ex officio title prevented Nebiolo from running for the IOC presidency. This year, however, the interpretation of the rule has changed, though the curious procedure remains: if one of these ex officio candidates had won, they would have had to undergo a new vote to be accepted as an individual member. THE ASSAULT The sudden surge of support for these four presidents seems to have caused some unease within the Olympic family. Each one is a highly capable leader with a proven track record in their respective fields. While their opinions and projects were closely scrutinized, they struggled to make a significant impact. Had any of them won, it could have potentially undermined the foundations of the current Olympic structure. However, their candidacies will likely spark positive reflections, as collaboration with international federations will need to grow more closely and transparently, especially during such challenging times. Let's hope that any negative sentiments do not leave lasting damage; it would be unfortunate because the world of sports needs its finest leaders right now. UBUNTU PHILOSOPHY Kirsty has consistently stated that she follows the principles of the Ubuntu philosophy, which prioritizes collectivism over individualism. Ubuntu asserts that society shapes our humanity: 'I am because we are.' This is a guiding principle that will be tested in the coming months and years, especially in the often individualistic world of sports management. A woman's practical approach to interpersonal relationships may prove especially valuable, and it will be fascinating to watch her navigate this new chapter. ANOTHER REASON The majority of IOC members also made a decision based on the age issue, which dictates retirement at 70. While this rule is outdated and no longer justified, it could have posed a problem had a candidate in their sixties been elected. At the same time, this decision demonstrates that the Olympic family is open to youth and women. The fact that Coventry was elected in the first round, with Samaranch securing a clear second place over other candidates, indicates that 80% of members opted for an internal solution. Even the athletes bypassed the programs of the federal presidents - a noteworthy trend. We can only say that the novelty is intriguing, it can bring many new and positive things, but there will certainly be severe obstacles to overcome. Kirsty has always told us: "You have to know how to organize yourself in every circumstance, even those that are not easy to predict." She also promised us to respect the work of journalists and her first act, when she accepted our invitation, demonstrated this to us. Now we must continue on that path. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Sports Press Association (AIPS).
