The announcement is particularly significant because of the doping problems faced in the nation in recent years, with 31 athletes having been issued suspensions by the Turkish Athletics Federation in the summer of 2013 alone.

Shortly before that, International Association of Athletics Federations President Lamine Diack said the nation needed to "clean their house", while the issue was also a contributory factor in Istanbul's defeat to Tokyo in the race to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

But, speaking today, ahead of the final day of the Archery World Cup Finals here on the shores of Lake Geneva, Erdener, also the President of World Archery, claimed the announcement underlines the huge progress that has been made. 

"My Minister immediately arranged an important money transfer, directly to WADA, showing our strong support for a zero tolerance policy," he told insidethegames.

"Now, in Turkey, my country, the National Olympic Committee and Ministry of Youth and Sport has a strong zero-tolerance policy.

"As a result of this, we have had very strong improvements in our anti-doping policies, particularly in the last two years, and now we have very limited cases in Turkey. 

"Our Government immediately contributed important money for the new anti-doping fund, for supporting anti-doping projects, and this is a further important signal."

Huge improvements have been made since a raft of doping problems in Turkey, it is claimed, with London 2012 Olympic 1500 metres winner Aslı Çakır Alptekin among those to have failed tests ©Getty Images



The donation comes at the end of a week in which a $1 million (£610,000/€770,000) contribution from China was also confirmed, while the United States has indicated it will make $6 million (£3.5 million/€4.5 million) available over the next three years, via the Partnership for Clean Competition, a body part-funded by major professional leagues that has its own research programme.

Last December International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach called on international Governments to match the IOC's pledge to invest $10 million (£6 million/€8 million) to fund innovative, athlete-centred anti-doping research, including new techniques for detecting prohibited substances.

Because WADA is funded approximately 50 per cent by the IOC and 50 per cent by Governments, insidethegames understands that the ultimate IOC contribution is dependent on the sums Governments commit to chip in.

So, as Erdener explained, if Governmental support totals $3 million (£1.8 million/€2.3 million), the IOC will transfer $3 million (£1.8 million/€2.3 million) out it its reserves, but if it does reach $10 million (£6 million/€8 million), they will commit the full $10 million.

The official, who is also a member of the IOC's ruling Executive Board, as well as both the WADA Executive Committee and WADA Foundation Board, expressed his hope that more Governments will commit in the near future, with Japan among those thought to be close.

WADA President Sir Craig Reedie also praised the move by Turkey.

"Turkey has firmly nailed its colours to the anti-doping mast by donating such a significant amount of money to innovative research," he said.

"This is a positive contribution to the clean sport movement, and sends the right message to clean athletes right across the world.

"This signal sent by the Turkish Government is a further boost to Governments' aim to match the IOC's $10 million (£6 million/€8 million).

"Research is crucial to all that the anti-doping community does, and my personal thanks go to Akif Çağatay Kılıç, the Minister of Youth and Sports of Turkey, and to Professor Dr Uğur Erdener, for their country's commitment."

"I look forward to further engaging Governments over the coming weeks so that we can continue to advance the anti-doping cause."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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