Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport

(Ottawa, Ontario – November 5, 2013) – Today, in response to Canadian athletes’ demands for a clean sport environment, the Government of Canada, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) announced their contribution of almost $1 million to the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES).

The CCES administers the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP), and as part of the announcement, the CCES outlined their new plan and launched a new and anonymous Report Doping Hotline (1-800-710-CCES). The announcement was made at a news conference in the presence of athletes and representatives from national sports organizations.

“Today’s news will allow us to increase our focus on intelligence gathering and investigations to stay ahead of sophisticated doping strategies, as well as expand the Whereabouts and Athlete Biological Passport Programs,” said Paul Melia, CEO and President of the CCES. “With increased intelligence we can test the right athlete, at the right place and at the right time. This is a huge win for fair and clean sport.” 

“Our Government is committed to eliminating doping in sport and ensuring Canadians athletes compete on a safe and fair field of play,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “This increased contribution from the Government of Canada and our partners will enhance the Canadian anti-doping program by strengthening its testing and investigative capacity.”

“Fairness, clean play and integrity need to become prerequisites in international competition,” said Marcel Aubut, President, Canadian Olympic Committee. “Competing against the world’s best in an equitable manner is what sport is all about. Today is a step in the right direction.”

Additional funding means the CCES can implement a more comprehensive approach to anti-doping in Canada and focus on making sure all Olympic and Paralympic athletes are tested during the four months prior to the Sochi Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Canada’s commitment to clean Games is exemplary and the launch of this hotline will provide an important boost toward anti-doping efforts,” said Gaétan Tardif, President of the Canadian Paralympic Committee. “We applaud this initiative and the critically important work of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program.”

The Report Doping hotline, a mechanism used by other national anti-doping organizations, comes in direct response to public opinion research commissioned by the CCES that indicates Canadians and athletes want clean sport.

“It is critical to provide a safe and anonymous outlet for athletes to come forward and share information and concerns,” said Jasmine Northcott, Executive Director, AthletesCAN. “The announcement of a doping hotline is good news and a positive step forward in providing athletes with a mechanism to level the playing field.”

“One of the most effective ways to obtain intelligence about doping is to gather information from athletes themselves. We know that athletes need to feel confident and comfortable sharing sensitive information. That is why it was so important to be able to provide an anonymous hotline so that we can increase and improve the dialogue with athletes,” added Melia.

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About the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport:
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. The CCES manages the Canadian Anti-doping Program with a focus on the Athlete Whereabouts Program, Athlete Biological Passport Program, Therapeutic Use Exemption Program and online and in face to face anti-doping educational programs.

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.

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

B-roll:
Media can also access B-roll including videos of the athlete sample collection process:
http://cnw.pathfireondemand.com/viewpackage.action?packageid=741

For further information:

Elissa Freeman
Cell: 416-565-5605
[email protected]

Jennifer Tiller – Ottawa media
Cell: 613-290-2473
[email protected]   

Holly Roy – Western Canada media
Cell: 780-991-2323
[email protected]