Carolyn Johnson, Gleaner Writer

JAMAICA'S CAMPAIGN against doping in sport took a major step forward last week when Cabinet approved ratification of the International Convention Against Doping In Sports.

Thirty countries are required to sign off on the document and Jamaica was the 14th signatory.

"It means for Jamaica that we are covered by all the conventions," Dr. Herb Elliott said earlier this week.

He said this was part of the ongoing fight against doping in sports. Elliott was a part of a party of three that was involved in the framing of the convention at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

Last week, Cabinet approved ratification of the convention, a step up after approving the adoption of the World Anti-Doping Code in 2004, consequently becoming a signatory to the Copenhagen Declaration.

The Copenhagen Declaration on Anti-Doping in Sport allows governments to signal their intentions to formally recognise and implement the World Anti-Doping Code.

This code provides the framework for anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organisations and among public authorities.

The convention was needed because the World Anti-Doping Code, though signed by major sports organisations, was not legally binding for most countries, under public law, as it is a private non-government instrument.

Realising this, UNESCO set out a framework for the presentation of the new International Convention Against Doping in Sport in 2003.

At a post-Cabinet press briefing last Monday, Minister of Information and Development, Senator Colin Campbell pointed out that by adopting the declaration, the Government would, "recognise the role of the code as the foundation of the worldwide fight against doping in sports; take measures, including regulations, administrative measures and, with appropriate legislative measures, to restrict the availability and use in sport of prohibited substances and methods."