Doping: Athletes, sports public demand answers—Reedie

Athletes and millions of sports fans worldwide have been demanding answers on issues of doping and fraud, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Craig Reedie, said on Monday.

The demand came following the spate of doping and governance scandals which have hit sports recently, the WADA president said.

Reedie also called on sponsors to help fund the fight against doping and promised better protection for whistle-blowers.

Athletics was rocked last year when Russia was suspended from the sport after a WADA investigation revealed a state-sponsored doping programme.

Football’s governing body FIFA was shaken by the worst graft scandal in its history then.

Tennis was also hit last week when five-times Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova revealed that she had tested positive for the banned substance meldonium.

Also, Reedie complained that 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 can help fund clean sports.’’

“We will continue to work hand in hand with whistle-blowers and the media and enhance measures to protect whistle-blowers better.”