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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth sports ministers to discuss anti-doping

10 August 2004

Commonwealth sports ministers meeting this week in Athens on the eve of the Olympics are to debate what action the organisation should take to step up the fight against drugs in sport. Their conference on 12 August will be addressed by Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon and Dick Pound, chairman of the World Anti Doping Agency.

The agenda will focus on the role the Commonwealth can play in the fight against doping in sport. Ministers will have an opportunity to discuss ways of ensuring effective implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code by sports organisations and governments. They will also discuss how women's participation in sports can be enhanced and share best practice on hosting major sporting events.

The United Kingdom 's Minister for Sport, Richard Caborn, who will chair the meeting, said: "The millions watching this month's Olympics need to have confidence that the competitors winning medals are doing so fair and square. I believe the Commonwealth has a big role to play in helping rid sport of drug cheats and I am sure governments will want to play their part."

Mr McKinnon will brief sports ministers on the establishment of a Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport (CABOS) to promote sport as a tool for economic and social development. He said: "Sport can play an important role in the economic development of Commonwealth member countries. It can empower people - particularly the young - and provide them with real opportunities to better their lives.

"I am confident that this meeting will deliver practical results and confirm the role the Commonwealth can play in promoting the value of sport for the benefit of all Commonwealth citizens. And I cannot let this opportunity pass without wishing all the Commonwealth participants at the Olympic Games the best of luck as they go for gold."

 Note to Editors:

Commonwealth Sports Ministers Meetings are held every two years, prior to the Commonwealth Games and Olympic Games. The first Meeting was held in Manchester in 2002, ahead of the Commonwealth Games. The next will be in Australia , in the wings of the Melbourne 2006 Games.

For media enquiries, please contact: Mwambu Wanendeya, Communications & Public Affairs Division, on: +44 7730 900 020 or Emmanuel Kattan, Office of the Secretary-General , on: +44 7730 777 879.

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
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