Damsgaard currently works with the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF).

Protocols developed by Damsgaard have been approved by the World Health Organization, the UCI, CADF and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The FIS welcomed Damsgaard’s appointment, describing him as the "the expert who knows pretty much what there is to know about Covid-19 testing around the world".

Damsgaard is now expected to adapt the UCI protocols for FIS.

This will be based on experiences and outcomes within cycling, with the UCI WorldTour season having resumed following the coronavirus enforced break.

FIS claim the protocols will be made flexible to accommodate the evolution of the ongoing coronavirus situation.

The international governing body revealed Damsgaard is already aware of the organisational set-up and practicalities of the FIS events, including the logistics with the facilities and operations, having served as FIS anti-doping expert for over a decade.

The protocols,  including hygiene concept requirements, are expected to be published next month.

This will coincide with the publication of the FIS’s Covid-19 prevention event organisers guidelines for winter events.

Damsgaard is expected to work with the FIS Covid-19’s support group, Medical Committee Covid-19 project group and the FIS Sport Management to analyse and approve the respective event organiser protocols, as well as providing expert advice to relevant hygiene/testing questions.

The FIS has also mandated that athletes undergoing doping controls will be required to undergo a coronavirus antibodies test.

The FIS promised it will offer the service to all athletes subject to a blood collection test.

This is expected to remain in place until at least March 2021, subject to the review of the overall situation.

The FIS thanked doping control agencies PWC, Clearidium, the International Testing Agency and multiple National Anti-Doping Agencies and laboratories for their support in the initiative.