30 March Media Statement

Sarah Ulmer appointed to WADA athlete committee

Sport and Recreation Minister Trevor Mallard today welcomed the appointment of world champion and Olympic gold medallist, Sarah Ulmer, to the newly formed athlete committee of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

“Sarah is a fantastic athlete and role model. Her appointment to this working committee is recognition not only of her achievements on the international sports stage but also her commitment to the fight against doping in sport," Trevor Mallard said.

Sarah is already a member of the New Zealand Olympic Committee athlete's commission and the Oceania athlete's commission.

"As a role model for the athlete education programmes of both the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency (NZSDA) and WADA, Sarah already champions the cause both at home and abroad. This, coupled with her years of experience competing at the top level of sport, will be of immense value to this committee.”

The aim of the working committee is to allow WADA closer contact with athletes and to give the agency a better insight into their questions and concerns regarding doping.

Thirteen members have been appointed to the committee with selection based on a number of factors, including equal distribution where possible of representation between regions, sports and gender. The first meeting will be held shortly in Montreal.

In the 2004 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.

Sarah Ulmer's appointment follows the December announcement of Associate Professor David Gerrard's appointment to WADA's health, medical and research committee. Fellow New Zealander and former chair of the NZSDA David Howman is currently the director general of WADA.

ENDS

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