Switzerland to offer permanent home to World Anti-Doping Agency

Switzerland is bidding to become the future home of the new World Anti-Doping Agency. But it is facing opposition from a number of European Union countries.

At its session on Monday, the government decided to submit an application by October 23, and the final decision by the European Union is expected next April.

However, the EU is reported to be firmly opposed to any move to site the agency in Lausanne, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is already based.

The EU commissioner in charge of sport, Viviane Reding, indicated the 15 EU states were united in their opposition.

The EU fears the anti-doping agency would lose some of its independence by being housed so close to the IOC.

The director of the federal office for sport, Heinz Keller, told swissinfo the Swiss government might push to move the agency to Geneva if the EU continued its opposition to it being based in Lausanne.

The government is promising an initial payment of SFr200,000 if the agency decides to make Switzerland its permanent base.

swissinfo with agencies