The anti-doping education programme will be one of the central elements of the upcoming European Athletics U23 Championships in Tallinn and Junior Championships in Eskilstuna.
The athletics action is hotly anticipated at this week’s European Athletics U23 Championships in Tallinn where stars will no doubt draw the crowds.
Several of those who made their mark at the European Athletics Junior Championships here in 2011 and then in Rieti 2013 will be back to challenge for medals at the under-23 level this summer.
But one thing all the athletes will gain is the chance to take part in a series of innovative anti-doping activities. The European Athletics Anti-Doping Education Programme has been organised on the sidelines of several events in the past including the Tampere 2013 European Athletics U23 Championships, Rieti 2013 European Athletics Junior Championships and Baku 2014 European Youth Olympic Trials.
This year the successful formula is being repeated in Tallinn and in Eskilstuna, Sweden, led by two members of the European Athletics Young Leaders Community Xicu Colomar and Katrin Heyers.
Xicu Colomar, from Spain said: “I am honored to be part of this initiative and I have no doubts it will be a complete success. I am looking forward to working closely with the volunteers who will help us deliver the activities. We will all try to engage as many athletes as possible into the anti-doping education. We understand having a CLEAN sport is essential, and that’s why I will put all my enthusiasm and knowledge into it.”
His colleague, another Young Leader Katrin Heyers from Germany is also looking forward to the programme saying:
“I am as well excited to deliver the programme during the competition together with Marc Sintes (European Athletics staff responsible for delivering the anti-doping progamme), and the volunteers. Our goal will be to help the athletes through the process of developing their own point of view and finding their personal reasons for a doping-free life. Every athlete wearing our t-shirt will make a statement and will help us reach our goal of a doping-free culture in future athletics.”
Athletes will be encouraged to take part in a series of activities aimed at helping raise their awareness and enhance their knowledge of anti-doping issues.
Participating athletes will be asked to take part in an informative quiz designed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
All participants will receive a branded t-shirt with the slogans of the programme – I Run Clean, I Jump Clean, I Throw Clean, I Walk Clean, if they score more than stipulated level of marks in the quiz.
Social media will be used to magnify the message with athletes sharing information with their fellow competitors and encourage aspiring athletes to adopt a clean approach to sports through a Twitter campaign using the hashtags #IRunClean, #IJumpClean, #IThrowClean and #IWalkClean.
Overall the intention is that the message of anti-doping comes over loud and clear through the events.