WADA President meets with IOC leadership and Sport Movement organizations in Lausanne

This week, the President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Witold Bańka, was in Lausanne, Switzerland, to meet with International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Dr. Thomas Bach and President-Elect Kirsty Coventry. He also delivered addresses to the general assemblies of the Winter Olympic Sports Federations (WOF) and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). 

Mr. Bańka said: “It was a pleasure to meet with IOC President Bach and President-Elect Coventry. We had a great exchange about our ongoing cooperation to protect the integrity of sport around the globe. I also took the opportunity to once again thank President Bach for his years of collaboration and dedication to sport, notably in the area of anti-doping.  

“Looking ahead, WADA is committed to continuing our strong partnership with the IOC under Ms. Coventry’s leadership, especially in the leadup to the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Milano-Cortina, and throughout the implementation of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards.” 

While speaking to both general assemblies, Mr. Bańka reiterated WADA’s firm position condemning the Enhanced Games, which actively encourages the use in sport of potentially dangerous performance-enhancing drugs. 

He said: “The global anti-doping community continues to face many challenges and threats, one of which being the so-called Enhanced Games. It threatens to erode decades of progress in athlete protection and public health. Those of us who truly care for the health of athletes and integrity of sport must send a firm message that we will not be deterred. For the sake of athletes’ health and the purity of sport, it must be stopped.” 

While speaking to the WOF general assembly, he highlighted the ongoing preparations for the rapidly approaching 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will open in less than eight months. 

Mr. Bańka said: “WADA is working diligently to ensure that the anti-doping program for Milano-Cortina 2026 is robust and comprehensive. We are pleased to once again be collaborating with the IOC, International Testing Agency and the International Paralympic Committee to ensure that athletes are competing on a level playing field next year. They will be leading various pre-Games testing related activities, and it is important that all Winter International Federations implement the testing recommendations they receive. WADA is monitoring that closely to ensure athletes are being tested based on intelligence, science, research, available data, and proven strategic testing plans.” 

Mr. Bańka also reminded stakeholders to encourage athletes and support personnel to complete the recently launched education course designed to support those aiming to attend Milano-Cortina 2026 participate in line with anti-doping rules. 

During his address to both assemblies, the President reiterated the importance of working collaboratively and laid out WADA’s priorities in the years to come. 

He said: “The role of ASOIF and WOF and their members is critical to WADA’s mission, and we appreciate the crucial role the federations play in the protection of clean sport. We must all continue to pull in the same direction. In the years to come, we will continue to focus on strengthening the global anti-doping system by expanding the impact of our science, education, and intelligence work, and elevating the athlete experience.”