Geneva, 20 October 2005 - Mr. Adolf Ogi, Special Adviser to the United Nations Secretary-
General on Sport for Development and Peace, welcomed the unanimous adoption of the
International Convention Against Doping in Sport at the 33rd session of the UNESCO
General Conference in Paris on 19 October. Mr. Ogi saluted UNESCO Director General
Koïchiro Matsuura for successfully leading the effort to draft and adopt the Convention.
The Convention Against Doping is the first universal legal instrument aimed at eradicating
doping in sport. It is a powerful tool, which will ensure that athletes throughout the world are
subject to the same rules and tests, with uniform sanctions in case of infractions. The
Convention will therefore reinforce the ethical values of sport.
The adoption of the Convention is a key milestone in the fight against doping in sport and
empowers the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to enforce the provisions of the World
Anti-Doping Code.
Mr. Ogi said that he looks forward to seeing the Convention enter into force, which will take
place as soon as the first 30 countries ratify it, and hopes this will be before the Torino 2006
Winter Olympic Games.
For
further information please contact:
Michael Kleiner
Office of the International Year of
Year of Sport and Physical Education, United Nations Office at Geneva.
Tel: (41-22) 917-
2555,
E-mail: mkleiner@unog.ch
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