ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, July 23rd, 2012 – In following through with its commitment to adhere to international sporting standards, the Government of the Virgin Islands has agreed to comply with the International Convention against Doping in Sport, 2005.
This commitment, which is effective July 1, is important as Government continues to create initiatives to boost sports tourism.
Premier and Minister for Tourism Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, OBE told the Department of Information and Public Relations, “By adopting this convention, the Territory’s reputation has further improved in the international sporting arena, making our sports tourism goals even more achievable.”
Premier Smith said, “Eyes will be on BVI as a compliant jurisdiction for the hosting of regional and international sporting events.”
He added, “Commitment to this convention also gives our own BVI athletes more credibility as they compete in international events, like the upcoming Olympics.”
The International Convention against Doping in Sport 2005 was extended to the BVI through a declaration transmitted by the United Kingdom (UK) and Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
This is in accordance with Article 38.2 of the convention which states: “Any State Party may, at any later date, by a declaration addressed to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), extend the application of this Convention to any other territory specified in the declaration.”
The BVI, as an Overseas Territory, is adopting the convention through the declaration by the UK, which first adopted the convention on October 19, 2005.
Article 1 of the convention states its purpose, which is to “promote the prevention of and the fight against doping in sport, with a view to its elimination”.
In achieving the convention’s purpose, Director of International Affairs Ms. Elise Donovan explained, “The BVI will have to adhere to the principles of the World Anti-Doping Code and cooperate with leading organisations and countries who have adopted this convention.
This means the BVI will have to adopt measures which include the creation of legislation, regulation and policies as it relates to the fight against doping in sport.”
To read the International Convention against Doping in Sport, or to view a full list of prohibited substances, interested persons can visit UNESCO’s website at www.unesco.org.
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