February 29, 2008 (Ottawa, Ontario) – The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) conducted a total of 843 doping control tests between October and December 2007. The domestic doping control program accounted for 662 of these tests, with over 99% of athletes testing clean. The commitment of Canadian athletes to doping-free sport is clear.

In addition, the CCES conducts fee-for-service testing for a variety of clients. During the quarter, the CCES conducted 44 tests on behalf of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) under its out-of-competition testing program, which complements testing done by national anti-doping organizations worldwide. Eleven tests were completed for the Association of National Anti-Doping Organizations (ANADO), a non-profit service provider which coordinates the distribution of sample collection in an increasingly international sport environment.

Further fee-for-service testing was conducted on behalf of national and international federations during events held in Canada, which amounted to 126 tests during this quarter. Highlights included 42 tests conducted for the ISU’s Speed Skating World Cup, 14 tests for FIBT at the Bobsleigh Skeleton World Cup, all in Calgary, and 24 tests conducted for FIG at the 2007 World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships in Quebec City. The CCES also collected six samples for FIS at the Alpine World Cup in Lake Louise.

Five anti-doping rule violations were reported during the quarter. A sledge hockey athlete received the first-ever CADP sanction for failing to report whereabouts, as the CCES extended the efficacy of its Code-compliant athlete whereabouts program. A CIS football athlete received a two-year sanction for cocaine, and an athletics athlete served three months for ephedrine. In addition, two athletes in college and university football received a warning and reprimand for cannabis violations.

The CCES welcomed the adoption of the new World Anti-Doping Code this fall. Paul Melia, President and CEO of the CCES, attended the World Conference on Doping in Sport held in Madrid. He commented, “There was significant discussion and debate around many points in the new Code, which points to a healthy collaboration of experts and signals a stronger final policy. We hope that the coming renewal process for our own Canadian Anti-Doping Program is charged with the same level of interest on a national level and we will be working hard to stimulate the sport community’s active involvement starting this spring.”

With the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games only two years away, increasing the number of certified doping control officers (DCOs) is a key focus of the CCES. A training workshop for DCOs was held in Vancouver in November in conjunction with the organizing committee, which launched 38 new DCOs on the path toward certification. Also in November, CCES staff were invited by WADA to train DCOs to staff a new regional anti-doping organization being set up in Guinea, in West Africa.

The CCES is an independent, national, non-profit organization. Our mission, to foster ethical sport for all Canadians, is carried out through research, promotion, education, detection and deterrence, as well as through programs and partnerships with other organizations.