By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica has ratified a series of proposed changes to the World Anti-Doping Agency code.

The changes, which will become effective in January 2015, the government said, aim to “strengthen the capacity of WADA and various anti-doping organizations globally to preserve integrity and sport and protect athletes not resorting to using illicit substances, such stimulants and masking agents, in or out of competition,” the government said in a release.

Jamaican Sports Minister Natalie Neita Headley said Jamaica was also calling for a strengthening of WADA’s programme, particularly for developing countries like Jamaica.

“Our position is quite simple,” she said. “The stiffer penalties of up to four years, as called for in Article 10.2 of the Code, for first-time offenders, will be more effective and meaningful if the support services are in place and a vigorous testing programme is upheld. Along with promulgating the new Code, we also believe it is important for WADA to provide more tangible support to developing countries as we all seek to advance our educational and testing programmes.”

The move comes after a number of Jamaican athletes tested positive for banned substances in the 2013 year.

Neita Headley attended the World Conference on Doping in Sport in Johannesburg last week, saying Jamaica’s presence at the conference was “very important,” given the recent violations.

She said she hoped to “clarify and, hopefully, dispel some of the recent negative publicity concerning Jamaica’s anti-doping programme.”

“As I said there, and repeat here, the Government of Jamaica is relentless in its commitment to integrity in sport and will do its part for the maintenance of a doping-free sporting environment,” she said. “We stand with our athletes.”