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Poland's Bańka re-elected for third term as WADA head

29.05.2025 23:00
Poland's Witold Bańka was re-elected on Thursday for a third and final three-year term as head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Witold Bańka
Witold BańkaPAP/Piotr Nowak

He secured 36 votes in favour and two abstentions in an online vote conducted by WADA's Foundation Board, Polish state news agency PAP reported.

China's Yang Yang, a retired short track speed skater, was re-elected as Bańka's deputy.

In his acceptance speech, Bańka, a former 400-metres runner and ex-sports minister, said: "I am deeply honored by the Foundation Board’s continued trust in me and in the leadership team of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Today’s result reaffirms our shared mission and values. I accept this final three-year term as President of WADA with humility, purpose and a deep sense of responsibility."

He added, as quoted by the wada-ama.org website: "Despite the many challenges we have faced over the past five and a half years, it has also been a period of transformation, of resilience, and of undeniable progress."

He pledged to "continue strengthening the global anti-doping system ... with the sole purpose of protecting clean sport.”  

Now 40, Bańka became head of the international drug-fighting body on January 1, 2020 to succeed Scotland's Craig Reedie. 

The World Anti-Doping Agency was established in 1999 as an international, independent organisation funded by sports bodies and governments.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP, wada-ama.org