Basseterre, St. Kitts (May 21, 2005): St. Kitts and Nevis has confirmed its commitment to fair play and safety in sport by becoming a signatory to the Copenhagen Declaration on anti-doping.
As the 164th signatory state, St. Kitts and Nevis supports the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code ) and recognises the role of the Code as the foundation in the worldwide fight against doping in sport. The Government will seek to progressively adapt, where appropriate, anti-doping policies and practices in sport to be in conformity with the provisions of the Code.
The Federation will also take appropriate steps to withhold some or all government financial support related to participation in sport from sport organisations, athletes and athlete support personnel that are not in compliance with the Code or applicable anti-doping rules adopted pursuant to the Code.
A spokesperson for the Department of Sport revealed that the adoption of the Code will ensure the fairness of competition and protect athletes from the harmful effects of illegal performance enhancing drugs such as steroids.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is an independent foundation built upon these important values. Its official website hails it as one of the most recent and impressive examples of collaboration in international sport.
WADA was created in November 1999 to support and promote fundamental values in sport.
WADAs Director General David Howman congratulated the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for its valuable support in the fight against doping in sport.
Additional information can be obtained by accessing www.wada-ama.org on the World Wide Web.
