Montreal, January 18, 2024
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce its collaboration with the International Testing Agency (ITA) for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games (Gangwon 2024) in Gangwon, South Korea , as part of the “A Team for Clean Sport” initiative. This major biennial event, which will take place from January 19 to February 1, 2024, will bring together a record number of 1.900 athletes from 80 different countries.
The “Team for Clean Sport” initiative is part of the educational program from the Olympic Games to youth sporting events of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) which will be implemented at Gangwon 2024. This program is a fundamental part of the Youth Olympic Games experience and has been specially designed for young athletes participating in the Games and their support staff.
WADA and the International Testing Agency will join forces to provide leadership for the clean sport aspect of the program, with the International Testing Agency providing education and WADA providing player engagement. sportsmen. Gangwon 2024 will mark the first time WADA has partnered with the International Testing Agency for athlete engagement initiatives at a major multi-sport event.
The WADA team responsible for the commitment of athletes will promote anti-doping messages in an interactive and fun environment where every young athlete understands that they have a role to play in promoting clean sport. Activities will include a photo on the cover of Play True magazine, use of fun props and signed polaroid photos, interactive activities shared on social media and winning high-quality prizes that promote the “Play True” message .
The athlete-led team includes:
- Clare Egan (USA), member of the WADA Athlete Council, president of the Athletes' Commission of the International Biathlon Union and double Olympic biathlete;
- Shiva Kevashan (India), six-time luge Olympian and member of the WADA Athlete Engagement Team at the 2023 Asian Games; And
- Rika Saito (Japan), Olympic weightlifter and head of education at the Japan Anti-Doping Agency.
“We are excited to work collaboratively with the International Testing Agency on this important athlete engagement initiative at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games,” said Ms. Egan. Gangwon 2024 represents an important opportunity for WADA to connect with young athletes and their entourage. For many young athletes participating in the competition, this will be their first experience of international competition. It is our responsibility to ensure they are aware of the expectations of participating in elite sport and the anti-doping resources available to them ahead of a major event. »
At Gangwon 2024, the joint initiative will take place in the two sports villages, alongside many other activities led by IOC staff and other experts, to provide a fun, interactive and child-friendly educational experience. age of participants. Members of the Korean Anti-Doping Agency Athlete Committee will also participate in the implementation of the program.
The International Testing Agency's educational activities will include a medication game to develop athletes' skills in identifying the active ingredients of a drug, a doping control simulation to help athletes understand their roles and responsibilities and how it works. of the process, as well as games focused on values-based questions.
Additionally, to complement the activities carried out during the Gangwon 2024 Games, the WADA Education Department, in collaboration with the International Testing Agency and the IOC, will encourage the use of the interactive course, “ Talented athletes participating in a major event ”, on the WADA Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL) platform. This module is currently available in English, French and Spanish. All organizations strongly recommend that National Olympic Committees, in collaboration with their National Anti-Doping Organizations, ensure that athletes and their entourages are informed in advance. The ITA also published a educational guide to support national Olympic committees at Gangwon 2024 in preparation for the Games, developed with the support of WADA.
