Polish sports minister to run for head of World Anti-Doping Agency
PR dla Zagranicy
Grzegorz Siwicki
26.06.2018 13:15
Polish Sports Minister Witold Bańka has announced plans to seek election next year as president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, according to reports.
Witold BańkaKancelaria Premiera [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The former 400-metres runner-turned-politician was on Tuesday reported as disclosing the plan to the AFP news agency in an interview.
Bańka said in the interview that the international anti-doping watchdog needed to tackle challenges including cheating in Russian sports, according to public broadcaster Polish Radio’s IAR news agency.
Bańka, 33, was last year appointed a member of the executive committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Norwegian politician Linda Helleland is also seeking election as the next president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, IAR reported.
The organisation is expected to select its new chief at a conference in the southern Polish city of Katowice in November next year.
The World Anti-Doping Agency was established in 1999 as an international, independent organisation funded by sports bodies and governments.
A new Polish Anti-Doping Agency (POLADA) began operating last year to step up the fight against drug cheats in sports.
(gs)
Source: IAR