The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the International Testing Agency (ITA) signed an anti-doping partnership agreement at the SportAccord convention in Queensland, Australia.
This agreement was built off of a standing signed agreement the two organization had from November, 2018. The IWF released a detailed statement outlining where the partnership previously stood, and the additions made at the SportAccord convention.
“Until now, the partnership between the two organisations included detailed risk assessment, test distribution planning and management, out of competition testing, Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) management, and support with regard to the IWF’s education programmes.”
“In-competition testing, management of the IWF Athlete Biological Passport programme, result management, and long-term storage and re-analysis of samples have now been added.”
This agreement is another official commitment made to promoting and requiring clean weightlifting across the world.
“The IWF is already widely considered to be at the forefront of anti-doping efforts in sport, thanks to its efforts and innovations in testing, Olympic qualifying, education and more,”Benjamin Cohen, ITA Director General said in a statement.
IWF Director General Attila Adamfi also expressed her excitement to continue and build off of the IWF’s partnership with the ITA.
“Ensuring clean competition and a culture of clean sport requires a great team. The IWF is very happy to have the ITA alongside us and enhance our existing partnership. The IWF is rightly proud of its efforts to ensure clean sport and we look forward to having the ITA help extend those efforts.”
Earlier this year, six athletes from Thailand who competed at the 2018 IWF World Championships tested positive for banned substances. In-line with the IWF’s latest anti-doping policy, nations who produce three or more positive tests in a calendar year can face suspensions from International competition of up to four years.
For more on IWF’s anti-doping policy, you can read up on the policy, rules, documents, and more on the IWF’s official website.
Feature image from @iwfnet Instagram page.