The Bermuda Government is committed to providing a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) compliant and clean competition platform for our athletes. The recent decision by WADA to label Bermuda as non-compliant is disappointing; however we are working closely with WADA technical officers in both the Latin American Regional Office and in WADA Headquarters.
All technical staff are currently reviewing the draft amendments to Bermuda’s Anti-Doping in Sport Act. The legislation will fulfill Bermuda’s obligations in complying with the WADA code, and we hope to have a positive outcome within the month.
The World Anti-Doping Programme has expanded significantly since the commencement of the Anti-Doping in Sport Act in 2012 and no amendments have been made since its inception.
WADA requested that the Bermuda Sports Anti-Doping Agency (BSADA) undertake a thorough review of the Anti-Doping in Sport Act to bring it into compliance with the WADA Code. The Code is a core document that provides the framework for anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organisations and public authorities around the world. BSADA submitted its recommendations for amendments to the Act and the Government agreed to all of them.
While we are addressing the implementation of the proposed legislation, the Bermuda Government continues to support the testing regime carried out by BSADA. We will continue to work closely with WADA, Bermuda’s athletes and Bermuda’s sporting clubs to fight against doping and to protect the rights and health of our athletes.
Bermuda – BSADA has an excellent working relationship with WADA and it is regrettable that we are in this situation. We look forward to the commencement of this legislation later this year.