Paul DeVillers Announces Funding of 2.4 Million $ for the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport
MONTREAL, September 24, 2002 -- Secretary of State (Amateur Sport) Paul DeVillers, on behalf of the Government of Canada, today announced $2.4 million in funding for the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES), to help finance the Doping Control Program, including $100,000 to complete the pilot project conducted by the Centre for Substance Use in Sport and Health.Mr. DeVillers was accompanied by Mr. Paul Melia, General Director of the CCES and Dr. Christiane Ayotte, Director of the INRS- Institut Armand-Frappier doping control laboratory.
"This investment will allow the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport to continue its testing programs and to increase its expertise so as to remain at the cutting edge of technology in the screening of doping products," said Secretary of State Paul DeVillers. "It also confirms our leadership in the fight against doping at the Canadian and international level and our commitment to defend ethical values in sport as stipulated in the Canadian Sport Policy."
"This year, we will complete a pilot project on blood tests for fighting blood doping, notably the use of EPO," stated the chief operating officer of the CCES, Mr. Paul Melia. "We will also make a change in our urine sampling process to adopt technology that is now the international standard."
In addition to its efforts to defend ethics in sport in this country, the Government of Canada remains a world leader in the fight against doping.
The Government of Canada, following consultations with the provinces and territories, presented its comments and recommendations on the World Anti-Doping Code. On behalf of the Government of Canada, the CCES undertook consultations with the Canadian sports organizations on the Code.
"The World Anti-Doping Code will be an important tool in the fight against doping in sport and will ensure a common set of standards for doping controls and policies," added Mr. DeVillers. "This international cooperation will lead to a better harmonization of regulations and government legislation thereby preserving the integrity of sport."
Next major conferences in the international fight against doping will be the Conference of the International Intergovernmental Consultative Group on Anti-Doping in Moscow, to be held this December 9 to 11, and at the World Conference on Doping in Sport organized by WADA, in Copenhagen, in March 2003.
Information:
Mario Tremblay
Press Secretary
Office of the Secretary of State (Amateur Sport)
(819) 953-7329
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