New athletes coalition formed to tackle doping in sports

An Olympic gold medalist and a former executive at the World Anti-Doping Agency are forming an organization designed to give athletes a stronger voice in the fight against doping and the powers that police it.

The group, called Global Athlete, is being organized by British cyclist Callum Skinner. Rob Koehler, who quit his post as deputy director general at WADA last year, will be the group’s director general.

Athletes have spoken out in large numbers to protest what they perceive as lax treatment of Russia by the International Olympic Committee and WADA in the wake of the country’s doping scandal. Many have felt insulted by the response to their concerns, which were often portrayed as politically motivated by Western ideals.

“What we can all agree on was the way the … athlete voices were treated by WADA and the IOC was well below par,” Skinner said. “It’s not that everyone is saying Russia shouldn’t be back in some form. We are where we are. But let’s try to change the system, so it’s a fairer situation going forward.”

The nonprofit group FairSport and individual donors will provide funding for the new group, and Koehler said sports, governments and anti-doping groups will have no say over Global Athlete’s decision-making.

Koehler said the group won’t be focused only on doping issues— sex abuse and the environment are two other causes that have led to athlete movements of late—though clearly the Russian doping crisis has served as a wake-up call.

While Koehler said the group will reach out to the IOC and WADA, the athletes involved in the group—more names will trickle out later this week—have to ultimately decide the best way to push for change. Skinner said he’d like to collaborate with athletes committees at WADA and the IOC, but is also aware of their limitations.