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One Hundred Countries Ratify Anti-Doping Convention
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and UNESCO celebrated the signing of the 100th Government to the International Convention against Doping in Sport in Paris, France, on 12 November. UNESCO’s Director General, Koïchiro Matsuura, and WADA’s Director General, David Howman, joined ambassadors from most of the 100 countries that have ratified the Convention to mark the historical milestone. 13 Nov 2008
Said Mr. Howman. “The Convention allows Governments to align their domestic policies with the World Anti-Doping Code, thus harmonizing the rules governing anti-doping in sport and public legislation. WADA is very grateful to UNESCO for its leading role in this process.”
Paraguay became the 100th signatory of the Convention, which was adopted on 19 October 2005, and entered into force on 1 February 2007. This is UNESCO’s most successful convention in terms of speed of development and implementation.
In just three years, more than half of UNESCO’s Member States from all regions of the world committed to fighting doping in sport. “Never before have global anti-doping efforts been stronger or more focused on providing an honest and equitable playing environment for athletes,” said Mr. Matsuura.
The Convention is designed to ensure a consistent approach to anti-doping efforts and compel governments into action, such as restricting the supply of performance enhancing substances and methods, curtailing trafficking and regulating dietary and nutritional supplements. Said Mr. Howman. “The Convention allows Governments to align their domestic policies with the World Anti-Doping Code, thus harmonizing the rules governing anti-doping in sport and public legislation. WADA is very grateful to UNESCO for its leading role in this process.”
The Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games were the first to be held since the Convention entered into force. UNESCO continues to raise public awareness by working with Governments on anti-doping education, policy and prevention programmes. Jamaica, Mozambique, Mali and Uruguay were the first recipients of financial assistance through UNESCO’s Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport. “While the Convention provides the roadmap, the Fund provides the means to achieve its principal objective - promote the fight against doping so that future generations can enjoy and excel in doping-free sport,” said Mr. Matsuura.
“This milestone shows that Public Authorities are well aware of the impact of doping on public health and recognize the need to further coordinate efforts with the sports movement to advance the fight against doping,” said WADA’s President, The Hon. John Fahey, in a written statement. “WADA now looks forward to the ratification of the Convention by the remaining 93 Member States of UNESCO.”
For more information, please visit the official website at www.wada-ama.org.