Interpol, WADA launch joint programme to combat doping abuse

Paris: Interpol has launched a new programme jointly with the World Andi-Doping Agency (WADA), named Project Energia, to combat doping abuse in sports, according to a statement by the global police organisation.

"Supported by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the School of Criminal Science at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), Project Energia will focus on substances used with the exclusive aim of improving physical fitness and athletic performance," the statement said on Monday.

"These include anabolic steroids, growth hormones, peptides and erythropoietin (EPO)."

Commenting on the newly launched initiative, WADA Director General Olivier Niggli said on Monday: "The Energia project is a key component in the global fight against doping. By joining forces, WADA and INTERPOL are better able to share intelligence on trafficking methods and on those who manufacture and distribute dangerous substances to athletes seeking an edge."

"In gaining such intelligence, we are better able to support efforts to cut off the supply of performance enhancing drugs at the source, before they manage to get into the hands of athletes. Along with the behavioral research stemming from the University of Lausanne, we are confident that the project will contribute significantly to protecting clean sport," Niggly added.

WADA, which will be financing the new program, has been co-operating with Interpol since 2009 and their new initiative "aims to help member countries understand and combat the trafficking of performance-enhancing drugs through targeted criminal analysis".