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News Release: The Ontario Physique Association extends agreement with Centre for Ethics

(Ottawa, Ontario – March 14, 2012) – The Ontario Physique Association (OPA) extended its agreement with the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) to conduct out-of-competition drug testing on its bodybuilders for another year.

Sanctioned by the Canadian Body Building Federation (CBBF) and the International Federation of Body Builders (IFBB), the OPA became the first provincial member of the CBBF to introduce out-of-competition drug testing when it entered into a pilot program with the CCES last year.

“We are extremely happy with the cooperation and service we have received from the CCES,” said Ron Hache, President of the OPA. “We are proud of our leadership and feel this program reflects our mandate to provide a fair and healthy environment for our athletes.”
That level of enthusiasm was echoed by Mark Smishek, President of the CBBF. “This program is a first for our organization and we hope to expand no-advance-notice, out-of-competition testing throughout the CBBF in the future.”

“The CCES is pleased to continue its relationship with the OPA,” said Paul Melia, President and CEO of the CCES. “With our extensive experience, we can help implement tailored programs that are designed to protect the health and safety of athletes and effectively deter the use of performance-enhancing substances.”

The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport is an independent, national, not-for-profit organization. We recognize that true sport can make a great difference for individuals, communities and our country. We are committed to working collaboratively to activate a values-based and principle-driven sport system; protecting the integrity of sport from the negative forces of doping and other unethical threats; and advocating for sport that is fair, safe and open to everyone.

For further information, please contact:
Justin MacNeill
Communications Coordinator
613 521-3340 x3314
jmacneill@cces.ca