The St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC) has appealed to Member Federations (MF’s) preparing to participate in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and Games and Competitions falling under the authority of the SKNOC, to take all necessary action to protect clean athletes at Rio 2016. The appeal comes in the wake of a review of the Code of Ethics by the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Ethics Commission.

In a statement following the recent announcement of the Federation’s participation in Rio 2016, President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Olympic Committee (SKNOC), Mr. Alphonso Bridgewater, said, “The SKNOC wishes to emphasise that respective MF’s have a shared responsibility and duty to inform and educate their athletes, officials and support staff of their obligations in complying with the IOC Code of Ethics on anti-doping and drug education. All athletes and support personnel at the Olympic Games must respect the integrity of the sport, the competition and in particular their fellow competitors.”

Mr. Bridgewater continued, “ I am sure many of you will appreciate that failure to do so may result in the IOC taking necessary measures and imposing sanctions including the withdrawal and reallocation of medals and, as the case may be, exclusion of coaches and officials from future Olympic Games.”

The SKNOC therefore strongly recommends that MF’s, their leadership and their athletes, officials and supporting staff take the time to apprise themselves of what is required of them by informing and educating themselves and their athletes and support staff via the IOC website

References to note include :

(i) The Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions

(ii) The Rules for the Application during the Games of the XXXI Olympiad in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro

(iii) Articles 7,9 and 10 of the IOC Code of Ethics and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions.

“By way of support, the SKNOC will make available the resources of the local National Anti-Doping Agency through the leadership of Executive Member/Assistant Secretary-General, Leroy Greene, who leads this Agency and his team.”