Director Syvasalmi Leaves WADA

Montreal, August 21, 2003 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced today that its Director General Harri Syvasalmi has decided to leave the organization for personal reasons.

Mr Syvasalmi had served WADA for more than three years. He was appointed Director General in January 2000. Prior to that, he had played an instrumental role in the development of the WADA statutes as a representative of the Finnish government, where he was the director of the Sports Division of the Ministry of Education.

"On behalf of all the WADA stakeholders, I thank Mr Syvasalmi for his work and his input", said Richard W. Pound, WADA's president. "His contribution has helped the organization to grow and to occupy a leading role in the fight against doping in sport, symbolized by the approval of the World Anti-Doping Code in Copenhagen last March". "It has been a privilege to work with WADA during this exciting and formative period", said Harri Syvasalmi. "I leave the organization with the feeling that I've carried out my duty and I wish WADA all the best as it continues to move forward."

COO and Special Counsel David Howman will now act as WADA's Director General.