President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Craig Reedie, admits athletes and millions of sports fans worldwide have demanded answers following the spate of doping scandals which rocked sport in the past year.
Speaking at a conference today in Switzerland, Reedie promised to improve the protection of whistleblowers and called on sponsors to help fight against doping.
"The public's confidence in sport was shattered in 2015 like never before, the public mood has soured and there is a general feeling that they're all at it," Reedie told a WADA conference.
"Sport has had its wake up call. Sport must ensure better governance if public and athletes are to uphold confidence in system."
Russia were suspended from world athletics after revelations of state sponsored doping were uncovered by German broadcaster ARD, while world football's governing body FIFA were at the centre of scandals involving former president Sepp Blatter.
With the latest revelation of Maria Sharapova having tested positive for the banned substance meldonium, tennis was once again thrown into the spotlight. It had previously been under scrutiny when reports of match-fixing emerged within the sport.
Tennis star Maria Sharapova speaks during a news conference in Los Angeles. Image: Damian Dovarganes / AP/Press Association Images
Reedie complained that WADA was struggling for funding.
"Now is time to look at how we get greater funding for anti-doping," he said. "TV broadcasters and sponsors could help fund clean sport."
"We will continue to work hand in had with whistleblowers and the media and enhance measures to protect whistleblowers better."
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