The purpose of the ITA Health and Clinical Expert Advisory Group is to advise the ITA specifically on issues relating to drugs, pharmacology, clinical medicine, nutrition, health, safeguarding and wellbeing in the context of the operational implementation of the global anti-doping programme that ITA leads for its partners. The Group is made up of a panel of experts from various disciplines including sports medicine, clinical pharmacology, sports pharmacy, sports nutrition and sports science.
The group's inaugural meeting covered a range of topics, including developing a safeguard framework for anti-doping programmes, educational messages for athletes on the use of herbal medicines and sports drinks, and examined challenges posed by the unintentional intake of banned substances through food and other sources.
The Group's newly appointed Chair, Professor Margo Mountjoy, said: “We are pleased to partner with the ITA and work with this diverse group of world-renowned experts to promote athlete health and wellbeing in the field of anti-doping. The efforts of the ITA Health and Clinical Expert Advisory Group will ensure that health remains a central focus in all aspects of the ITA's work.”
The group will continue to play a vital role in advising on clinical issues related to the administration of the ITA's Therapeutic Use Exemption, ensuring athlete health through clean sport and supporting the ITA's education initiatives to reduce and avoid harm to athletes from doping. Additionally, it will advise on athlete safeguarding and mental health initiatives in the context of sample collection and doping control, and provide insight into emerging health threats related to doping.
“This initiative underscores our strong commitment to protecting athletes' health by upholding the integrity of sport. The guidance from the Expert Group is essential in addressing complex health issues that arise on the front lines of anti-doping programs, including our efforts to educate and promote health through clean sport,” said ITA Secretary General Benjamin Cohen. “We thank the members of the Group for their dedication to clean sport and their deep commitment to protecting athletes' health by providing their expertise to the ITA.”
The ITA Health and Clinical Expert Advisory Group will continue to meet regularly to provide ongoing support and recommendations to ensure that the ITA’s anti-doping efforts lead to positive athlete health outcomes as a result of clean and dope-free competition.
The ITA Health and Clinical Expert Advisory Group consists of:
Professor Margo Mountjoy (Canada)
Ashley Anderson (USA)
Professor Thierry Buclin (Switzerland)
Dr. Richard Budgett (Switzerland/UK)
Dr Kate Jordan (United Arab Emirates/UK)
Professor Ennet Larson Meyer (USA)
Dr. Carol Okoth (Kenya)
Dr. Christian Schneider (Germany)
Dr. Trudy Thomas (UK)
Dr. Xin Xu (China)
