7 December 2004

NZ Olympian appointed to WADA committee

Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard has welcomed the appointment of New Zealand Sports Drug Agency (NZSDA) chair, associate professor David Gerrard, to the health, medical and research committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“New Zealand has been a strong advocate of the development of the WADA code and its implementation. David’s appointment to this working committee is recognition of the huge contribution and commitment he has made towards the fight against doping in sport. It also reflects the high regard that New Zealand is held in this domain," Trevor Mallard said.

“As chair of the NZSDA and my representative on WADA's foundation board, David already champions the cause, both at home and abroad. His sports medicine and sport science expertise will be of immense value to the health, medical and research committee.”

The committee oversees some critical areas within WADA, including the annual review of "the prohibited list" of banned substances and methods and the allocation of research funds.

“In this new role David will be able to draw upon his own experiences in international sport. As a swimmer, he competed in the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo and was a Commonwealth Games gold medallist in 1966," Trevor Mallard said.

"He was also team doctor at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles; director of medical services at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul; and chef de mission for the New Zealand Olympic Team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.”

In the last budget, the government increased funding for the NZSDA by $1 million to over $6 million for the next four years to prevent doping in sport. This funding will ensure New Zealand remains at the forefront of anti-doping efforts and is able to achieve full compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code. Professor Gerrard's appointment commences on 1 January 2005. Fellow New Zealander and former chair of the NZSDA David Howman is currently the director general of WADA.

ENDS

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