All ParalympicsGB athletes complete anti-doping education ahead of Rio 2016
Press Release
7 September 2016 - All ParalympicsGB athletes competing at the 2016 Paralympic Games have successfully undertaken "Clean Sport" and "Clean Games" education sessions as part of UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD) Major Games programme: Clean Sport, Clean Games, Clean Conscience.
Working in partnership with the British Paralympic Association (BPA), UKAD has delivered education to nearly 400 Paralympic athletes across 19 sports, via UKAD’s Rio-focussed education programme which began in 2015.
Designed to prepare British athletes to compete and win clean in Rio, the programme was delivered in two modules – Clean Sport and Clean Games – through face-to-face workshops and webinars.
"Clean Sport" was aimed at all athletes who had potential for Rio, whilst "Clean Games" was delivered to athletes selected for the Paralympic Games and included Games-time specific information such as anti-doping rules, scenarios and information on potential risks athletes may face in Brazil.
The BPA also made anti-doping education a requirement for any accredited Athlete Support Personnel, and staff heading to the Games will have completed either the Coach Clean or UKAD Accredited Advisor course.
To mark their participation, and engagement, all ParalympicsGB athletes who undertook "Clean Games" were provided with a bespoke Rio "Squeaky" duck. Squeaky has become popular among athletes competing at major games – with bespoke ducks produced at London 2012 and Glasgow 2014 – as a platform to showcase their support for fair and clean competition.
UKAD’s Chief Executive, Nicole Sapstead, said:
“I am extremely proud that all ParalympicsGB athletes have received vital anti-doping education in the run up to the Games.
“Over the last year we have worked hard, in partnership with the BPA and the national governing bodies of sport, to deliver Games focussed anti-doping education. UKAD has successfully played its part in preparing the British team for Rio 2016, by ensuring that every athlete has all the information they need to make the right choices and compete clean.
“Education is a fundamental part of doping prevention and critical to protecting clean sport. We must ensure that athletes understand both the rules and their responsibilities, and support them to make the necessary steps to minimise the risk of inadvertently doping.
“I would like to thank the BPA, the individual sports and the athletes themselves for their absolute commitment and enthusiasm throughout the various stages of our Major Games education programme and I wish ParalympicsGB every success over the coming days.”
Get involved in the conversation during the Rio Paralympic Games by following UKAD on Twitter and Instagram via @ukantidoping, using #Squeaky2016.
