The BVI Olympic Committee recently qualified two more persons to assist in the delivery of an Anti-Doping Educational Programme to its federations and school students. Photo credit: file

More than 30 Coaches were Certified under the BVIOC's CCCP Programme and Sports Administration Course in May 2013. Photo credit: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

The Virgin Islands (VI) became a member of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) in February 2012. RADO is responsible for all aspects of anti-doping among fourteen (14) member Territiories. Since then, the VI has had an active anti-doping agenda spearheaded by the BVIOC as it works towards expanding anti-doping education and drug testing among its athletes working through its national sport federations.

Recently, two (2) new Doping Control Officers (DCOs) from Tortola were trained by the US Anti-Doping Agency during the RADO’s annual Board meeting held in St. Lucia. In addition, the DCOs’ training was put to the test as athletes were tested recently both in and out of competition. Of significance is the fact that these initial tests were negative for prohibited substances and methods. This is indeed a great start to keeping sport in the British Virgin Islands clean and fair in keeping with the principles outlined in the World Anti-Doping Code, which the BVI has signed on to.

In the fall, the Caribbean RADO in conjunction with UNESCO through its Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport, and the BVIOC will further spread anti-doping education across the Territory through a 2-day workshop for physical education teachers and coaches so that knowledge can be transferred to high school students they teach.

These positive signals contribute greatly to the benefit of the entire sporting fraternity and give impetus to all national sports federations for them to provide consistent anti-doping education to all athletes regarding substances that are either permitted or prohibited. The BVIOC will continue to test athletes out of competition through a Testing Grant supported by the World Anti-Doping Association, which is available to all of its member countries.