In 2017, the IOC decided to establish a USD 30 million fund for the creation of the ITA, to make testing independent from any conflict of interest and to restore trust in the anti-doping system. Seven years later, the IOC recognises the quality of the work accomplished and calls on the ITA to continue strengthening independent and intelligence-led anti-doping programmes.
The ITA, pursuing a sustainable financial model that mainly relies on revenues from the over 70 international sports bodies to which it delivers programmes, has been able to reduce its reliance on the IOC’s Olympic Movement financial contribution to only 9 per cent of its annual budget. This figure is lower than anticipated at the inception of the Agency, and demonstrates its increased financial independence.
The ITA manages the anti-doping programmes for International Federations (IFs) and Major Event Organisers (MEOs), including the IOC. The Agency has been running the anti-doping programmes for the Olympic Games on the IOC’s behalf since 2018.
A robust pre-Games testing programme for Paris 2024
The IOC Executive Board was updated today by the ITA on the pre-Games testing programme for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Launched in October 2023, the programme has now entered its final phase, ensuring that comprehensive testing takes place ahead of the Olympic Games this summer.
There are currently more than 31,000 athletes vying to compete in Paris. Because of the long period during which athletes can qualify, the majority of pre-Games testing will occur right up to the start of the competitions in July 2024.
A special focus has been placed on high-risk athletes, with over 60 per cent of this group having already been tested at least once since January 2024, 14 per cent having already been tested more than three times, and 10 per cent three times.
Moreover, since 18 April 2024, the ITA can directly implement doping controls on athletes from any sport on the programme in Paris within the framework of the extended testing authority of the IOC, a move which will support the efforts of National Anti-Doping Agencies (NADOs) and IFs.
The ITA is also responsible for the anti-doping programme of the Olympic Refugee Team, as was already the case for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.