Barbados to address drugs in sports

Bridgetown (Barbados), Jan 12 (IANS/CMC) The Barbados government has approved the establishment of independent committees to monitor and address the allegations of doping in sports.

Addressing participants at a recent sports and drugs seminar for coaches, Sports Minister Stephen Lashley said that in addition to the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) which would continue to conduct tests on Barbadian athletes, there would also be a Barbados Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel and a Barbados Anti-Doping Appeals Panel.

"These committees and panels are all independent of each other. They are comprised of persons who are all professionals in fields that pertain to anti-doping and sports," said Lashley, adding that a Therapeutic Use Exemptions Committee, comprising medical doctors, would be established to protect athletes who "legitimately use medication for health purposes".

Lashley said that a legislation was being worked on to ensure that such sports and drug matters would be governed.

"The anti-doping environment is dynamic and so are the anti-doping regulations from the World Anti-doping Association (WADA). My ministry, the NADC and the Solicitor General Chambers will be working closing with WADA and UNESCO to ensure that our legislation captures this dynamism in its approach and that it is reflective of international standards," he said.

--IANS/CMC

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