ASDA Annual Report 2004-05 (Adobe PDF | 173 pages | 4.4 MB)Chairperson’s message
This
Annual Report is the fifteenth such report since ASDA commenced operations
in 1990. In many ways, the past year represents a landmark in Australia’s
anti-doping effort and has set the foundation for the years to come.
As chairperson of the ASDA Board, I’m pleased to report that the Agency has again provided very strong leadership in the anti-doping effort through a range of domestic and international programs and activities. With record levels of support from the Australian Government, ASDA has remained at the forefront of the fight against doping in sport.
Major achievements in 2004–05 included completing an intensive pre-Olympic athlete testing and education program, achieving a record percentage of No Advance Notice testing of athletes and implementing important amendments to ASDA’s legislation. In addition, the Agency continued to work hard on the international front, maintained strong relationships with a wide range of sporting bodies and made significant improvements to its existing systems and infrastructure.
As will be clear from this report, in each one of its key areas ASDA made a significant contribution to achieving Pure Performance in Sport. This provides the perfect foundation for the future.
The Government’s decision in June 2005 to establish a new anti-doping body, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), has set the stage for Australia’s anti-doping effort to move to a new level. It is envisaged that the new body will become operational in early 2006 and incorporate ASDA’s existing functions, the anti-doping policy functions undertaken by the Australian Sports Commission and new functions involving the investigation of doping allegations and the presentation of cases at hearings.
The ASDA Board and staff welcomed the Government’s decision to establish the new body and will work hard over the coming months to establish ASADA as a world leading anti-doping organisation.
In this period of change, I am very grateful for the support and commitment of the Australian Government, especially the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator the Hon. Rod Kemp, my colleagues on the ASDA Board and the many people who contribute to the anti-doping movement in Australia and overseas.
There is little doubt that doping remains the biggest threat to the integrity of sport and this is certainly no time to be complacent.
Finally, I would like to record my thanks to ASDA’s staff. I am proud to be Chairperson of a dynamic organisation made up of people who are devoted to achieving doping free sport and pursue their mission with such vigour, expertise and commitment.
Dr Brian Sando OAM
Chairperson
Australian Sports Drug Agency