NORTHUMBRIA UNIVERSITY BACKS UK ANTI-DOPING’S CALL FOR ADDITIONAL ANTI-DOPING EDUCATION

Northumbria University are supporting UK Anti-Doping’s ‘Clean in Quarantine’ campaign as part of Clean Sport Week 2020.

The campaign, now in its fourth year, is being supported by a range of National Governing Bodies (NGBs), sports organisations and UK sports stars, who are taking part in several online activities focusing on anti-doping education throughout the week, 18-24 May 2020.

Based on research conducted by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), Clean Sport Week is encouraging those in sport to celebrate clean sport and continue expanding their anti-doping knowledge. Furthermore, UKAD is calling for athletes to adopt practices into their day-to-day lives that will reduce the risk of violating anti-doping rules. 

At Northumbria we believe that all sporting participants have the right to compete in Clean Sport. Doping undermines the integrity of all sport and therefore it is essential that we keep sport drug free.

Northumbria University adopts the UK Anti-Doping and World Anti- Doping Agency (WADA) position that cheating, including doping, in sport is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport, undermining the otherwise positive impact of sport on society.

‘Clean sport should be a way of life for athletes and support personnel. At Northumbria we back UK Anti-Doping in its mission and promote the clean sport values through our student athlete education programme, commitment to upskilling support staff, and awareness raising campaigns. We want to empower the next generation of athlete to complete clean.’

Heather Steel, Student Sport Manager

Through a number of online events, the ‘Clean in Quarantine’ campaign for Clean Sport Week, will promote UKAD’s online education programmes including Coach Clean, which is now available free online. The campaign will also see social media videos from several UK athletes and coaches featured on UKAD’s channels as they back ‘Clean in Quarantine’ while social distancing during the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown across the UK.

Nicole Sapstead, UKAD’s Chief Executive, said: “The Covid-19 crisis has impacted sport on many levels, but our Clean in Quarantine campaign is highlighting ways that athletes and coaches can maintain their commitment to clean sport during lockdown.

“UKAD’s free education resources are vital tools in maintaining integrity and public confidence in sport when it returns. We’re calling on athletes and coaches to access the information they need to protect themselves and clean sport.

“We’ve seen on social media how well athletes and coaches have adapted to life in lockdown. Making a few changes to incorporate anti-doping practices into their daily routine is equally achievable.”