Commonwealth Anti-Doping Project

Anti-doping is one of the most important issues facing international sport at present. Under a unique partnership programme, the Commonwealth Secretariat is working with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Commonwealth governments and National Olympic Committees to provide technical assistance to member countries in the implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code.

Commonwealth experts are leading support networks through newly established Regional Anti-Doping Organisations (RADOs) in the Pacific, Caribbean and East Africa regions to develop anti-doping programmes and controls. In their role as RADO Administrator, the experts are training and educating athletes, sports bodies and government officials on all aspects of anti-doping work. They are also training volunteer doping control officers to ensure that drug testing of athletes is carried out throughout the course of the year - one of the main requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon said: "We want to help make doping a thing of the past. We know that some countries do not have the resources to play a full part in the fight against drug abuse in sport without external assistance. This new programme will help spread the message that drugs and sport don't mix and pass on advice to those most in need of assistance."

"The establishment of Regional Anti-Doping Organizations in under-served areas of the world is one of the key strategies for ridding sport of doping and for leveling the playing field for all athletes worldwide. Athletes, sports and anti-doping organizations in these regions will finally have the necessary information and tools to advance a culture of doping-free sport," said David Howman, WADA Director General.

All 3 Commonwealth experts for the Pacific, Caribbean and East Africa regions are now in place and will be providing regular update reports on their work. Their contact details are set out below.

The Commonwealth Secretariat is also pleased to announce that it will be supporting another Commonwealth region, Southern Africa, as part of the anti-doping development project. An expert will be appointed shortly as the RADO Administrator to lead the day to day operations of the organisation. Further details will be provided shortly.

As part of the Melbourne CSMM Communiqué, Ministers also noted that the UNESCO International Convention Against Doping in Sport was adopted by member states on 19 October 2005 and agreed to take steps to ratify the Convention as soon as possible. The Secretary-General has since written to member governments that are yet to ratify the Convention encouraging them to do so.