WADA president seeks sponsor funding in fight against doping
By Andrew Dickson
Last Updated: 14/03/16 11:21am
The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency has called on sponsors to help fund the fight against doping and promised better protection for whistleblowers.
Athletics was embroiled in controversy last year when Russia was suspended from the sport after a WADA investigation revealed a state-sponsored doping programme.
Tennis was also affected just last week when five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova revealed that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.
Away from drug issues, corruption allegations at world football's governing body FIFA have also resulted in negative publicity.
At a time when WADA claims to be struggling for funding, its president Sir Craig Reedie is looking for assistance from others to clean up the image of sports which have been affected.
Reedie said: "The public's confidence in sport was shattered in 2015 like never before. The public mood has soured and there is a general feeling that they're all at it.
"Sport has had its wake up call. Sport must ensure better governance if [the] public and athletes are to uphold confidence in system.
"Now is time to look at how we get greater funding for anti-doping. TV broadcasters and sponsors could help fund clean sport.
"We will continue to work hand in hand with whistleblowers and the media and enhance measures to protect whistleblowers better."
