Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

(Ottawa, Ontario – November 19, 2012) – In its second quarter, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) saw Canadians prove that good sport can make a great difference by taking part in the third annual True Sport Community Give-Back Challenge. The event puts emphasis on the True Sport principle “Give Back” by challenging sport groups to find ways to show appreciation for the greater community that makes their participation in sport possible. This year, the three winning groups built community spirit during the event itself, but also managed to create a secondary benefit for children and youth in communities around the world using the funds raised.

The winners were announced live on CBC TV during Sports Day in Canada (September 29, 2012). This year’s grand prize winner of $5,000 was Ultimate Canada for its submission “Art Hawkins Great Canadian Ultimate Game.” Ultimate Canada organized a 28-hour, 500-player, cross-Canada game of ultimate (formerly known as ultimate frisbee) that traveled to a different community each hour. Starting in Yellowknife, NT and ending in Victoria, BC, the score was carried over and accumulated in each successive location.

“Ultimate Canada really accomplished something special with its event,” said Karri Dawson, Director of True Sport Operations. “Not only did they successfully bring 28 communities together, but they also raised $8,000 along the way, which they donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Canada and Ultimate Peace.”

The second place prize of $3,000 was awarded to “OFSAA Nordic Ski Championships Hunstville 2012.” The event was a community and provincial fundraiser for Right to Play – an organization that uses the power of sport to improve the lives of children in disadvantaged areas around the world.

The West Ottawa Soccer Club was awarded the third place prize of $2,000. They raised funds by running five kilometres as a team and having their friends and family sponsor them. The event was in support of School Box, a Canadian charity that raises money to build schools and provide supplies to children in Central America.

“This year’s Give-Back Challenge was a huge success,” said Dawson. “The selection committee was very impressed with the creativity and effort of all the True Sport member groups who participated. Whether the gesture was large or small, the activities and events all provided the opportunity to bring the principle — Give Back — to life.”         

To learn more about the True Sport Community Give-Back Challenge and to watch the six finalists’ videos, visit: www.truesport.ca/giveback

Other Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport highlights for the July-September 2012 quarter include:

2012 Olympic/Paralympic Games

In collaboration with the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), the CCES provided education, pre-games testing, medical exemption guidance and whereabouts assistance to Team Canada in the lead-up to the Games. We congratulate all Canadian athletes on their performance in London – and also acknowledge the COC and CPC, whose commitment and hard work builds the foundation of a winning team.

Canadian Football League agreement

As part of the CFL’s policy to prevent to use of performance-enhancing drugs, the league also supported the True Sport Movement in very visible ways this quarter. True Sport messages were incorporated in the 2012 Player Handbook, two True Sport web ads feature on the CFL website, and Commissioner Mark Cohon delivered a True Sport public service announcement which is running on stadium jumbotrons. Watch for the PSAs in the lead-up to this year’s Grey Cup weekend. Congratulations to the CFL on the 100^th anniversary of the Grey Cup!  

Partnership with the Ontario Racing Commission

The CCES and the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) formed an alliance to share information and resources of common interest. By exchanging insights, along with identifying and addressing distributors of performance-enhancing drugs, both organizations aim to build intelligence in the fight against unethical and illegal practices in Canadian sport.   

Fee-for-service

The CCES conducted 344 urine and 82 blood tests for various clients, including three international events held in Canada:

• IBAF Women’s Baseball World Cup in Edmonton, AB
• 2012 Senior Women’s World Wrestling Championship in Sherwood Park, AB
• FIVB Beach Volleyball SWATCH Junior World Championships in Halifax, NS

Also, the Ligue de développement de hockey Midget AAA du Québec extended its contract with the CCES to provide anti-doping education, administrative assistance and testing services for another year.

Violations and Sanctions

There were only two anti-doping rule violations this quarter. A two-year period of ineligibility was imposed for a testosterone positive and a two-month sanction resulted from the presence of cannabis.  

Doping Control Program Statistics

The CCES conducts testing under the domestic Canadian Anti-Doping Program and also provides doping control services for various national and international clients. The following table summarizes our activity during this quarter. Numbers include tests that are planned, coordinated, and/or collected by the CCES.

For details, see (www.cces.ca/pdfs/CCES-MR-2012JulSepDetails-E.pdf).

Athlete Services Statistics

The CCES supports athletes subject to doping control by providing education, processing medical exemptions, and responding to substance inquiries.  The following table summarizes our activity during this quarter. 

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport is an independent, national, not-for-profit organization. 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.

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