Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

(Ottawa, Ontario – June 4, 2015) – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) is pleased to recognize the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) for their financial support in the lead up to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am and Parapan Am Games (Toronto 2015).

“The additional funding from the COC and CPC will support the education and testing of Canadian athletes prior to Toronto 2015,” said Paul Melia, President and CEO of the CCES. “It will ultimately allow the CCES to implement a more comprehensive approach to anti-doping in the lead up to the Games – a high-risk period for doping. The CCES commends the COC and the CPC for their ongoing support and commitment to fair, safe and open sport.”

In preparation for Toronto 2015, all Team Canada athletes will complete anti-doping education. The CCES’ existing testing program will also be complemented with additional doping controls for athletes set to compete at the Games. This will add a further level of detection and deterrence for athletes representing Canada on the international stage.

“Educating our athletes on ethical practices in sport is key as the professionalization of our sport increases,” said Catherine Gosselin-Després, Executive Director of Sport for the CPC. “Having our athletes tested prior to the Games will alleviate any additional distractions around anti-doping testing practices at major Games. This is an ongoing strategy for the CPC as we look towards future Paralympic and Parapan Am Games.”

“The CCES is doing great work for the greater good of clean and ethical sport,” said Marcel Aubut, President, COC. “From our coaches to our athletes to our partners, it is important for us all that sport is practiced in a fair and ethical environment, especially leading into our home Games in Toronto.”

The CCES will work closely with the COC and CPC to ensure that Canadian athletes can be tested in or out of competition once they are named to the long list and/or the official team roster. The Pan Am Games run from July 10-26, 2015, and the Parapan Am Games run from August 7-15, 2015.

About the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport:
The CCES is an independent, national, not-for profit organization with a responsibility to administer the Canadian Anti-Doping Program. We recognize that true sport can make a great difference for individuals, communities and our country. We are committed to working collaboratively to activate a values-based and principle-driven sport system; protecting the integrity of sport from the negative forces of doping and other unethical threats; and advocating for sport that is fair, safe and open to everyone.

About the Canadian Olympic Committee:
The Canadian Olympic Committee leads the achievement of the Canadian Olympic Team’s podium success and advances Olympic values in Canada. Independent and predominantly privately funded, the Canadian Olympic Committee delivers resources that Canada’s elite athletes need to perform at their best and give their everything every day. The backbone of Canada’s Olympic movement, the Canadian Olympic Committee works with National Sport Federations to prepare the Team for the Olympic, Youth Olympic and Pan American Games. By sharing our athletes’ stories, we inspire all Canadians through the power of sport: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. For more information, visit www.olympic.ca.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee:
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 25 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world’s leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian high performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

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