BERLIN, August 21, 2009 – Dr Edwin Moses, Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, has backed the stand being taken by Jamaica against the use of illegal drugs in athletics.

Speaking at an event held by AIPS, the international sports journalists' association, in Berlin, Moses said: “It is great to see how not only the government in Jamaica, but also the athletes themselves recognise the importance that the issue of drugs in sport has to the country as a whole.”

Earlier Jamaica’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Olivia Grange delivered an anti-drugs message on stage. She said: “Our athletes and government are totally behind this focus, a strong message that says we don’t need dope to cope. We believe that we have the tradition, the talent and the ability to succeed without drugs.”

"If you cheat you will get caught" - Shelly-Ann Fraser

New 100 metres world champion Shelly-Ann Fraser, speaking to a packed audience of current and former track and field stars, members of the International Olympic Committee and the world’s media, said: “If you cheat you will get caught. We don’t need to cheat. We will succeed on our own merit.”

The Jamaican response follows last month’s news that five Jamaican athletes, not including any of the 2008 Olympic medal winners, had tested positive for banned substances.

Edwin Moses was joined by fellow members of the Laureus World Sports Academy - Sergey Bubka, Sebastian Coe, Kip Keino and Nawal El Moutawakel - at the AIPS event, supported by Laureus, to celebrate the World Athletics Championships which are currently being held in Berlin.Sport for Good During the event Moses gave a presentation to VIP guests, including former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch and HRH Prince Faisal bin Al Hussein of Jordan, on the work of the Laureus

Sport for Good Foundation

which supports almost 70 humanitarian projects around the world and which has raised €20 million for global projects which have helped to improve the lives of over one million young people.

Edwin Moses said: “Our work at Laureus seeks to harness the spirit of sport to bring people together and create a force for good. Sometimes sport can succeed in breaking down barriers where nothing else can. The Laureus Foundation currently supports projects around the world which use sport as the means to overcome challenging social issues including poverty, homelessness, war, violence, drug abuse, discrimination and AIDS. The number is increasing all the time and my fellow Academy members and I do what we can to support these projects and we hope we can continue to make a difference.

Praise for media 

“The media’s support for Laureus is so important. It is the media who accompany us on our visits and inform the public about the work we do and we look forward to continuing to work together in the future. It is also the Laureus Media Selection Panel who vote for the nominees for the Laureus World Sports Awards. That is why we are happy to support this AIPS event.”