Ministerial Statement by the Minister of Labour, Community Affairs and Sports, The Hon. Lovitta F. Foggo, JP, MP

Mr. Speaker, Under theAnti-Doping in Sport Act 2011 (“the Act”) the Bermuda Sport Anti-Doping Authority (“the Authority”) was established to give effect to the International Convention Against Doping in Sport of 2005 which came into force in Bermuda in June 2006.  Prior to this the Authority was set up as a Charity and called the Bermuda Council for Drug-Free Sport.  The Authority’s function is to facilitate the control and prevention of doping in sport and thereby enable our athletes to compete on the International Stage in addition to providing Sample Collection Services for many International Sporting Events brought to our shores, namely the International Triathlon World Series Triathlon, the Bermuda Marathon and the Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships, to name a few.  This is done through a program of education and doping control procedures and results management.                                                                        

This includes following the World Anti-Doping Agency standards to establish and implement:

• Comprehensive anti-doping rules which must ahhere to the WADA Code,  International Standards and many guidelines.
• An extensive education programme for athletes, athlete support personnel, administrators, participants and the general public on anti-doping and the promotion of health, fairness and equity in sport.
• Detailed protocols for results management.
• Detailed protocols for Therapeutic Use Exemptions.
• Research relevant to anti-doping.
• The development of an athlete testing programme, including the development of protocols governing the location and whereabouts of athletes for the purpose of testing.

Bermuda Sport Anti-Doping Authority continues to ensure all athletes are tested under the Illicit Policy, a domestic program, prior to representing our island either locally or internationally.

Mr. Speaker,  The Act also establishes a Board of the Authority who shall:

• Monitor the administrative operations of the Authority
• Ensure that correct protocols are followed in the process of securing samples
• Ensure that the rights of everyone involved in the doping control procedures are respected
• Assist in ensuring that the Authority receives and manages funds in a prudent manner.

Mr. Speaker, Section 17 of the Act also requires the Authority to present to the Minister a report of its proceedings for the year, including the audited accounts and for the Minister to lay the same within the House of Assembly which I do today.

Mr. Speaker, The Auditor General has signed off on the Financial Statements stating that they present a fair view of the Authority. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a number of items from the report and audited accounts.

The Authority continues to be fully compliant with the World anti-Doping Agency requirements.  Through their sample collections at local sporting events and in partnership with other National Anti-Doping Organisations from around the world including Canada, Denmark, United Kingdom, United States the Authority has been able to ensure the testing requirements of both local and overseas based Bermudian athletes have been fulfilled.  Their educational initiatives continue to be of paramount importance including providing advice to athletes and coaches on all aspects of the illicit and anti-doping programmes.

Mr. Speaker, under the Performance Enhancing Program, some fifty-seven (57) samples were taken for testing during the year, fifty-one (51) urine and six (6) blood.  There were two adverse analytical findings both of which related to foreign athletes who competed in Bermuda.  There were three (3) positive results under the illicit drug policy where the substance in all three (3) cases was THC.

The Authority’s international doping control partnership was expanded with Mrs. Marionette Zuill, a Doping Control Officer, represented Bermuda at the 2017 World Youth Commonwealth Games in Nassau, Bahamas in July.  The Bahamas Anti-Doping Commission commended Mrs. Zuill on her expertise and team work.

Mr. Speaker, The Authority’s revenue for the financial year is mainly made up of a grant of six hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($650,000) from the Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation. 

Expenses include some two hundred and fifty-six thousand six hundred and seventy-two dollars ($256,672) for the performance enhancement testing program and one hundred and thirty-seven thousand, seven hundred and ninety-two dollars ($137,792) for the illicit drug screening program.

I would to thank the Board under the Chairmanship of Mr. Michael Smith and the staff of the Agency under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Deborah Hunter for their dedication and hard work during the year.

Thank you Mr. Speaker!