IOF Anti-doping work moves to the ITA

The International Orienteering Federation (IOF) has signed an agreement with the International Testing Agency (ITA) for the outsourcing of IOF anti-doping work. The agreement comes into effect as of January 1, 2022.

The International Testing Agency (ITA) was established based upon a proposal by the IOC in October 2015. The proposal was supported by WADA and the organisation was founded to establish a body largely independent of sports organisations to perform anti-doping testing and results management. The ITA commenced operations in 2018 and has over the past 3 years grown to more than 60 anti-doping professionals supporting more than 50 International Sports Federations and major event organisers with their anti-doping work.

The IOF identified already in 2019 that it over time would transition its anti-doping work to the ITA. During the latter half of 2021 work has commenced to sign the contract with the ITA and transition the various aspects of the work. Multiple meetings have been held to establish the different areas of collaboration and the transition will be completed as of January 1, 2022. From that time the ITA takes over the responsibility for all test planning, in-competition and out-of-competition testing and test results management. They will also manage the IOF testing pools and manage the handling of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs). The IOF has also joined the ITAs secure whistleblower platform REVEAL for the anonymous reporting of suspicious doping activity. The ITA will also support the IOF to make sure that the IOF remains fully compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code. Finally the ITA and IOF will continue working together to create an education plan for orienteering which is appropriate for the organisation. The ITA already has extensive education material available via its website and this is fully accessible to IOF members and athletes.

The IOF is pleased to be able to conclude this agreement and outsource to an organisation solely focused on anti-doping work . The ITA will provide competent and experienced professionals to make sure that the IOF and the sport of orienteering maintains its strong record in anti-doping. The Anti-Doping information on the IOF webpage has been updated to reflect the new agreement and ways of working.

Further information about the ITA

Link to the ITA Athletes Hub