'New anti-doping agency ITA may be truly independent'

Moscow, March 22 :There are reasons to believe that the new Independent Anti-Doping Testing Agency (ITA) to be established soon will be truly unbiased, the head of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) said.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on March 16 announced the establishment of an independent authority, ITA, to deal with anti-doping testing, reports Tass news agency.

"An organisation that would be above all suspicion is needed, this is the idea behind the creation of a new organisation. The creation of an independent body is possible," ROC President Alexander Zhukov said in an interview with sports channel Match TV.

According to an IOC 12-point plan of reforms in the global anti-doping system, every athlete who plans to take part in international competitions will have to pass a certain number of doping tests. An athlete who failed to pass the minimum number of these tests will not be allowed to take part in the Olympic Games or world championships.

National anti-doping agencies will be responsible for the implementation of these plans at the request of the ITA. At the same time, they will continue to conduct their own testing, while WADA will ensure testing regardless of countries and national interests.

The new agency's board will include representatives of state government bodies, the Olympic movement, WADA and athletes. The ITA Council will perform only supervisory functions and will have no right to oversee the anti-doping programme.