Turkey: Sports anti-doping bodies sign cooperation deal

ANKARA

 The World Anti-Doping Agency along with its Turkey and Norwegian counterparts have agreed to work together.

The Turkish Anti-Doping Committee (TDMK), Norwegian Anti-Doping Committee (ADN) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) signed the cooperation deal in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Friday.

WADA Education and Program Development Director Rob Koehler said in a speech: "TDMK is an example and leading establishment in this region. Turkey is on the right track. They will work with ADN to develop the programme."

"We want to thank the Turkish government and ADN for their efforts in anti-doping."

Koehler added: "It is important to conduct doping checks and preserve decent athletes, because every athlete in Turkey should have the right to compete in a decent way."

"Young people and athletes should be educated in this field so that the use of doping will not be an option."

'New strategies'

Meanwhile ADN Special Adviser Rune Andersen said: "We examined the anti-doping programme in Turkey - we believe the Turkish anti-doping committee will be one of the best."

TDMK General Coordinator Rustu Guner said the agreement will last for three years and the establishments will meet three times in a year.

Guner said: "We try to bring new strategies. We are extremely happy to see WADA and ADN among us."

"We are waiting for their contributions so that anti-doping in Turkey will attain international standards and the rights of decent athletes will be preserved."

Established in 1999 in the Swiss city Lausanne, WADA is a worldwide independent anti-doping agency fighting against the use of drugs in sports.