The World Anti-Doping Agency begins a new chapter this week when it elects Australian John Fahey to replace outgoing president Dick Pound at the world conference on doping in Madrid.

Pound has earned plaudits worldwide for his role at WADA since its inception in 1999, but also made enemies along the way for harsh comments that sometimes bordered on verbal abuse as he rallied for tighter doping controls and punishment for offenders.

WADA will have little time during its conference starting today to reflect on its achievements as it will push through a revision of its anti-doping code with many international federations perceived as doing little or nothing to fight doping.

Doping has been headline news on several occasions this year, with the Tour de France marred by positive tests and US sprinter Marion Jones confessing to having doped and returning five Sydney 2000 Olympic medals.

She also faces a prison sentence for lying to federal investigators.

Fahey, a former Australian Finance Minister with no sports management experience, is the only candidate for the post after former French sports minister Jean-Francois Lamour withdrew from the race, saying WADA was "ineffective".

Fahey will need to press federations to comply with WADA's code as the agency has said some were not complying with its existing doping code, which could lead to their sports being banned from the Olympics.

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