This week (December 20), the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) informed the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport that the Bermuda Sports Anti-Doping Agency (BSADA) has successfully been taken off their compliance 'watchlist.'
Expressing his satisfaction, Minister of Tourism, Culture, and Sport, Owen Darrell, shared, "I am delighted to announce that we have received confirmation that the Compliance Review Committee (CRC) thoroughly reviewed the case in light of recent developments. They have determined that the crucial corrective action related to adopting new legislation should now be considered successfully completed.
"They observed that the compliance procedure has been officially concluded due to these outcomes, and BSADA has successfully exited the 'watchlist,' accomplishing this outcome within the designated timelines."
In September 2023, WADA requested the Bermuda Sports Anti-Doping Agency (BSADA) to comprehensively review the Anti-Doping in Sport Act, aiming to align it with the WADA Code. This Code serves as a fundamental document, establishing the framework for anti-doping policies, rules, and regulations globally across sports organizations and public authorities. Following BSADA's submission of recommended amendments to the Act, the Government approved all of them.
Minister Darrell concluded, “The Bermuda Government remains steadfast in its support of BSADA's testing regimen. We are committed to collaborating closely with WADA, Bermuda's athletes, and sporting clubs to combat doping and safeguard the rights and well-being of our athletes.”