February 10/07 9:51 am - Improving Anti-Doping Rules in Canada and Abroad

Posted by Editor on 02/10/07
 

Improving Anti-Doping Rules in Canada and Abroad
Courtesy CCES

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has released a draft of the new World Anti-Doping Code (Code) for international review. The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) will submit comments on behalf of the Canadian sport community.

"The Code has been instrumental in harmonizing anti-doping rules world-wide," commented Joseph de Pencier, Director Ethics and Anti-Doping and Legal Counsel for the CCES. "It has raised the standards of anti-doping programs in Canada and abroad which has enhanced the protection of Canadian athletes' right to doping-free sport. But there is definitely room for improvement."

The deadline for comment to WADA is March 31, 2007. Given the short time-frame for feedback, the CCES is moving forward with an aggressive engagement plan for input from the entire Canadian sporting community.

"We have identified at least 55 substantial proposals for change," Mr. de Pencier said. "I have reviewed the entire document and would suggest that there are at least three areas of change in the new Code that are particularly noteworthy to the Canadian sport community."

Sanctions may be increased for "aggravated circumstances" when for example doping is deliberate cheating. Certain doping substances (steroids, hormones and amphetamines) may result in tougher sanctions. Failure of athletes to provide whereabouts information and/or missing tests will be treated more severely. But to better address inadvertent doping, or errors without intent to cheat, sanctions may be relaxed in some situations.

The range of misconduct that constitutes an anti-doping rule violation is expanded (for example through expanded definitions of "tampering" and "trafficking" or through urine or blood profiling). More emphasis is to be placed on pursuing violations by athlete support personnel (coaches, trainers and physicians).

All Code signatories must provide mandatory education to athletes and athlete support personnel about prohibited substances and methods, health consequences of doping, managing the risks of nutritional supplements and the harm of doping to the ethical values of sport."

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) is looking to the Canadian sport community and all Canadians to assist in improving Canadian and international anti-doping rules. To facilitate this process, the CCES will host a Sport Community Forum for discussion and review of the draft of the new Code on February 22, 2007, 12 pm (noon) to 2 pm EST at the Congress Centre, Ottawa, Ontario.

For the convenience of Canadians coast to coast, the CCES Sport Community Forum will be simultaneously web-cast, and provisions for teleconferencing will be made. For further details, go to www.cces.ca. Anyone unable to attend the Sport Community Forum can also send their comments to the CCES by March 5, 2007. Comments may be submitted to newcode@cces.ca.

The proposed Canadian sport community submission will be released for comment March 12, 2007, and submitted to WADA and all participants by March 30, 2007.

Once finalized, the new Code will be implemented in Canada and for Canadian sport by revising the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP). All federally funded and recognized male and female sports in Canada must abide by and include the CADP within their own sports rules.

"The views of Canadians and their sport organizations are vital to Canadian and international anti-doping rules that are fair, practical and effective," commented Mr. de Pencier. "I encourage anyone who participates or is involved in Canadian sport to take the time to review the recommended changes in the Code.

"Tell the CCES what you think about the draft new Code so we can make Canada's voice heard. Only then can our athletes compete on a level playing field with other international athletes."

For further information or to contact the CCES with comments on the new Code, email newcode@cces.ca.