Chairperson, in South Africa there has been a string of athletes falling foul of the authorities regarding performance-boosting drugs. The competitive nature of sport, coupled with the large sums of money often involved, makes professional athletes particularly vulnerable. This, however, is unacceptable, especially in view of the influence that they exert as role models.
It is also extremely perturbing to note that many schoolchildren who are under pressure to perform athletically, are reported to be turning to drugs. In this regard, the ACDP supports moves by the SA Institute for Drug- Free Sport to implement an anti-doping education programme aimed at schools throughout the country before conducting testing at sports events. Measures that do not include consequences will however be ineffective. Sport has a tremendous potential and has already played a hugely positive role in nation-building in South Africa, in raising levels of health and fitness and even in building self-esteem.
The ACDP welcomes this Bill that strengthens measures to enforce the national anti-doping strategy. We also support calls for sports federations to be more active in collaborating with the institute to create awareness amongst athletes regarding anti-doping rules.
The ACDP, however, notes the legitimate concerns regarding the need to accommodate drugs such as anti-inflammatory preparations and even asthma inhalers that are widely used in South Africa for good reason. Thank you. [Applause.]