- Published: 06.03.2003.
On 5 March 2003 in Copenhagen, the World Conference on Doping in Sport ended with the signing of a joint Declaration...
On 5 March 2003 in Copenhagen, the World Conference on Doping in Sport ended with the signing of a joint Declaration. On behalf of the Republic of Croatia the Copenhagen Declaration against Doping in Sport was signed by Ana Marija Bešker, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Kingdom of Denmark. The Conference and the Declaration were preceded by several years of negotiations and harmonisation of the draft, in which Croatian scientists and athletes also took part.
The Republic of Croatia, together with another 70 countries a signatory of the Copenhagen Declaration, also supported, morally and politically, the World Anti-doping Code adopted at the Conference as a result of the efforts invested by the representatives of Governments, National Olympic Committees, the Council of Europe, UNESCO and international sports federations.
The participating countries are expected to include the anti-doping standards into their national legislation by the 2004 Olympics and to fully implement them by the year 2006. Athletes from the states which do not follow up on this, will not be able to participate in international events after the dates set.
The 2003 Copenhagen Conference, its Declaration and Anti-doping Code are historic turning points in sport, marking the return to healthy competition of athletes and to the principle of fairness.