New movement Global Athlete launched after series of scandals to stop athletes 'being treated like pawns'

Athletes fed up of being treated like pawns on Wednesday set up a new global movement aimed at changing the face of the sporting landscape.

Global Athlete has been launched as a result of a series of scandals in sport ranging from Russian doping to the USA Gymnastics abuse.

The movement is headed up by former WADA deputy director general Rob Koehler, who resigned from the organisation in August, with British cycling gold medallist Callum Skinner among those to have already signed up.

“The concept was born as a result of athletes speaking out more and wanting a voice and feeling that maybe they were being left behind,” said Koehler.

“I think the Russia decision was one of many things that played a part, but there are so many more integrity issues: USA Gymnastics, the speed skaters in South Korea, issues with cycling in the UK.

"The list just goes on. The athletes just felt they were being treated like pawns.”

Athletes from the UK, USA, Germany and Canada among others have already agreed to get involved with Global Athlete with those names set to be revealed in the coming days.

The organisation is to be funded by Fair Sport, a foundation set up to eradicate cheating in sport, and Koehler believes it can be “game changer for sport”.

He said: “This is a truly significant step for sport and it can only help in the long-term. We have athletes involved and engaged. It’s a concept that’s well overdue.

“To use a quote from Dick Pound ‘there’s one thing that’s going to change the way that sport is run and that’s when athletes take notice and take a stance for greater rights.”