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Athletes and millions of sports fans worldwide are demanding answers following the spate of doping and governance scandals which have hit sport recently, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says.
Athletics was rocked last year when Russia was suspended from the sport after a WADA investigation revealed a state-sponsored doping program and soccer’s governing body FIFA was shaken by the worst graft scandal in its history.
Tennis was also hit with a match-fixing scandal on the opening day of the Australian Open and again last week, when five-time grand slam champion Maria Sharapova revealed she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium at the tournament.
“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,” WADA president Craig Reedie said.
“Sport has had its wake-up call. Sport must ensure better governance if public and athletes are to uphold confidence in system.”
Reedie complained WADA was struggling for funding.
“Now is time to look at how we get greater funding for anti-doping,” he said.
“TV broadcasters and sponsors could help fund clean sport.
“We will continue to work hand in had with whistleblowers and the media and enhance measures to protect whistleblowers better.”
AFP
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