Ulmer recruited by anti-doping agency

The World Anti-Doping Agency stepped up its fight against doping in sport today by appointing an Athlete's Committee.


New Zealand cyclist and Olympic champion Sarah Ulmer was confirmed as one of the panel members.


Ulmer, who won the both the world championship and Olympic title in the 3000m individual pursuit last year, was joined by a host of former and current Olympic and world champions across a range of sports.


The 13-strong committee will allow WADA closer contact with athletes and give the agency better insight into their questions and concerns regarding doping, WADA said.

The working committee will be chaired by Russian Olympic and world ice hockey champion Viacheslav Fetisov and features athletes from a range of sports and regions.

"We are very pleased to have such a high-quality group of athletes in place," said WADA President Dick Pound.

"Clean athletes are the most powerful force against doping in sport.

"This committee, through their experience and expertise, will assist us greatly in our fight against doping, and I am confident that it will help us further develop our important task of educating athletes worldwide about the consequences of doping."

WADA, established in November 1999, was set up as a foundation from an initiative of the International Olympic Committee with the support of intergovernmental organisations, governments, public authorities and other public and private bodies also fighting against doping in sport.

The agency, consisting of equal representatives from the Olympic movement and public authorities, received its first two years of funding ($35 million) solely from the Olympic movement.

From January 1 2002, WADA's funding has been sourced equally from the Olympic movement and the governments of the world.

- REUTERS, NZPA