Poland's Banka set to become next world anti-doping chief

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Poland's Sport and Tourism Minister Witold Banka is set to become the next president of the troubled World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after a vote on Tuesday left him as the only remaining candidate.

The 34-year-old former sprinter who helped Poland win a bronze medal in the 4x400 meters relay at the 2007 world championships, beat Dominican Republic Vice-Minister of Sport and Tourism Marcos Diaz in a vote to replace the outgoing Craig Reedie.

78-year-old Reedie, who has served two terms in office, is due to step down in December.

WADA rotates its presidency between representatives from the international sports bodies (the International Olympic Committee and federations) and governments.

The logo of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) at the headquarters of the organization in Montreal. /VCG Photo

As required by the rules, Banka's nomination will now be submitted to WADA by the end of May for the elections which will take place at the meeting of the WADA Foundation Board in Katowice, Poland in November later this year, when he will be formally confirmed as the fourth WADA president.

If anyone else is to challenge Banka they must have the support of at least one Foundation Board member and submit their candidacy to WADA before the May 31 deadline.

Outspoken WADA Vice-President Linda Helleland was once viewed as a leading contender for the top job at WADA but Banka was chosen by the Council of Europe as its candidate.

The former Norwegian minister, who was critical of the Executive Committee's controversial decision last September to reinstate the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), has not given any indication she will challenge the Pole a second time.

This is the last time the WADA head will be appointed on the principle of rotation between representatives of sports bodies and governments, with an independent president coming in from the start of the next mandate, in 2022.

(With input from Reuters and AFP)