Canada Among Frontrunners in Bid to Host Permanent Headquarters of the World Anti-Doping Agency
MONTREAL, August 14, 2001 -- During a news conference, Secretary of State (Amateur Sport), the Honorable Denis Coderre, today expressed his optimism following the tabling of a report by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which ranks Canada among the top three cities in the bid to house the permanent headquarters of WADA.The WADA Evaluation Committee has clearly identified the cities of Montréal, Canada; Vienna, Austria; and Lausanne, Switzerland as the frontrunners for the new WADA headquarters. Bonn, Germany and Stockholm, Sweden are also candidates.
Also on hand for the news conference were Quebec Delegated Minister of Tourism, Leisure and Sport Richard Legendre, Mayor of Montréal Pierre Bourque, President and CEO of Montréal International Jacques Girard and Director of the Doping Control Laboratory of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique Christiane Ayotte.
"Canada has always been a world-leader in the fight against doping," stated Secretary of State Coderre. "As stakeholders involved in sport, it is our duty to do all we can to protect the health of our athletes and the integrity of their sports. Drug-free sport remains a priority of the Government of Canada, both domestically and internationally."
"Our spirit of integrity and our scientific credibility in the fight against doping in sport are envied by numerous countries," added Dr. Ayotte. "Obtaining the permanent headquarters of the World Anti-Doping Agency would be the logical outcome of our concrete efforts in this field."
The Evaluation Report assesses the following five criteria areas for each candidate city:
1. Anti-doping history and commitment
2. Infrastructure
3. Premises
4. Finances
5. Legal Issues
The Honourable Denis Coderre also added that it is becoming increasingly important to bring to the international scene the fight against doping, which adds to Montreal's appeal as the sight of the WADA permanent headquarters. "If Montreal were to win the bid to host the World Anti-Doping Agency headquarters, that would send a clear message that the IOC, the public sector and athletes agree that it has become necessary to expand the power of sport beyond the boundaries of Europe."
Furthermore, the Secretary of State indicated that, should Montreal be chosen as host city of the headquarters, he envisaged setting up satellite offices in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Canada's bid to house the permanent WADA headquarters in Montreal was submitted jointly by the Government of Canada, the Government of Quebec and the City of Montreal. The bid has received the full endorsement of the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Coaching Association of Canada and the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.
Over the remaining days leading up to the WADA decision, Canada will be strategically promoting the technical and financial merits of the Montreal bid to host the WADA headquarters.
The decision on the permanent headquarters of the World Anti Doping Agency will be announced on August 21, 2001 in Tallinn, Estonia, during the WADA Foundation Board meeting. The Evaluation Report is available on the WADA Web site at the following address: www.wada-ama.org
Information:
Akim Thibouthot
Press Secretary
Office of the Secretary of State (Amateur Sport)
(819) 994-9909
BACKGROUNDER
In February 1999, the International Olympic Committee responded to a series of international doping incidents by establishing the World Conference on Doping in Lausanne, Switzerland. At that time, the World Anti-Doping Conference tabled the Lausanne Declaration which committed the Olympic Movement and Governments to establish the new World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This document also provided for the creation of an independent international anti-doping agency to be fully operational for the XXVII Olympiads in Sydney.
Pursuant to the terms of the Lausanne Declaration, the World Anti-Doping Agency was created on November 10, 1999 in Lausanne to promote and coordinate the fight against doping in sport internationally. The WADA was set up as a foundation under the initiative of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with the support and participation of intergovernmental organizations, governments and the public in the fight against doping in sport. The Agency presently consists of equal representatives from the Olympic Movement and public authorities.
On March 1st, 2001, Canada tabled a bid to host the permanent headquarters of the World Anti-Doping Agency in Montreal. Both the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec have made a financial commitment to Montreal's bid. The final decision on the city who will host the headquarters of WADA will be made on August 21, 2001 in Tallinn, Estonia.
WADA is currently chaired by Richard Pound of Canada and is comprised of a board structure with 18 Olympic Movement representatives and 18 Government representatives.
[ Media Room ]
