JADCO, Lithuania strengthen anti-doping cooperation

The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has expanded its international collaboration in the global fight against doping through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Anti-Doping Agency of Lithuania.

The partnership, facilitated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), aims to strengthen cooperation between national anti-doping organisations (NADOs) and enhance their capacity in key areas such as intelligence gathering, investigations, and education.

This agreement is one of three formalised under WADA's latest initiative to build a network of partners across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe. The other partnerships include:

The National Anti-Doping Unit of Ecuador (UNADE) and the Anti-Doping Agency of Serbia (ADAS);

The Comision Nacional Antidopaje del Peru (Peru NADO) and the Hellenic Antidoping Agency (HADA);

Advancing Anti-Doping Collaboration.

According to WADA, "The objective of the project is to establish a network of partners for NADOs across Latin America and the Caribbean. The network will leverage regional and global expertise to enhance capacity and capabilities in key anti-doping areas, guided by a needs-based and impact-driven approach."

Francisco Leon, director of WADA's Latin America and Caribbean Office, emphasised the strategic importance of these partnerships.

"WADA is enthusiastic about what these partnerships can do for the development and growth of the NADOs in Ecuador, Peru, and Jamaica," Leon said. "The partners have already begun their work in earnest, and we look forward to fruitful outcomes in the months and years ahead.

"I would also like to commend the Serbian, Greek, and Lithuanian NADOs for their commitment to developing anti-doping capacity around the world. We have championed the importance of collaborative efforts for many years, and we are confident that these agreements will make a tangible impact and serve as good examples for other NADOs to follow."

JADCO'S COMMITMENT

JADCO's Executive Director, June Spence Jarrett, welcomed the partnership with Lithuania as a pivotal step in advancing the commission's international engagement and strengthening its operational capabilities.

"This memorandum of understanding with the Anti-Doping Agency of Lithuania represents an important milestone for JADCO and for Jamaica's ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of sport," said Spence Jarrett. "Through this partnership, both organisations will share expertise, experience, and best practices that will enhance our ability to conduct intelligence-led investigations and deliver effective anti-doping education."

She added that the collaboration reinforces JADCO's dedication to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and fairness in sport.

"JADCO is proud to join this WADA-supported network that encourages cross-regional cooperation and innovation. Partnerships like these are essential to building a stronger, more unified global anti-doping community. We are confident that this collaboration with Lithuania will yield meaningful results and contribute to the long-term success of clean sport worldwide," she said.

STRUCTURED MEETINGS

The NADOs involved in the WADA initiative will participate in a series of structured meetings and joint activities throughout the year. WADA will oversee the implementation of the MOUs, monitoring progress and outcomes in alignment with its strategic goals.

As global cooperation continues to grow, the JADCO-Lithuania partnership stands as a strong example of how collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support can enhance the global fight against doping and safeguard the integrity of sport.