WADA appoints new chief operating officer

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced that Olivier Niggli has been appointed as their new chief operating officer (COO) and general counsel.

Niggli’s experience includes his role as a current partner with the law firm Carrard & Associés in Lausanne, Switzerland. He specializes in sport, arbitration and commercial law. He has been involved in the fight against doping in sport as a WADA legal director and chief financial officer from 2001 to 2011.

Niggli will be based in Montreal where he will undertake his new duties at WADA. His key focus will be legal and governance areas. These specific areas are set to undergo major change when WADA adopts the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code. It is being widely accepted that WADA is now entering a new era of improved governance. Canadian based Niggli will be a key component in this restructuring.