The European Athletics U23 Championships, to be held in Tampere on 11–14 July, has declared itself a major international clean sporting event and is taking a strong stand on behalf of a fair game. The event organisers, European Athletics, the World Anti-Doping Agency WADA and the Finnish Antidoping Agency FINADA are working together to make sure that all competitors have an equal right to succeed in the championships.
Over 1,000 athletes from 50 different European countries will arrive at Tampere’s Ratina Stadium. Ratina will also play host to athletes who were already medalists at the European Championships in Helsinki and finalists at the London Olympics. Athletes have their own extensive antidoping programme which encourages and obliges them to compete without cheating.
At the championships, clean sport will also be symbolised by the Golden Baton, which travels around to international sporting events organised in Finland. The Golden Baton of Clean Sport challenges its receiver to do everything in their power to promote fair play. The Golden Baton is arriving at Ratina from Vuokatti, where the World Orienteering Championships are being held at the same time.
– Around mid-July, Finland will become the centre of all sports. It’s great that the message of clean sport is visible at two simultaneous championships in Finland. The direction is clear for both orienteers and athletics competitors: clean athletes deserve all the glory! says Mika Tuononen, Secretary General of the World Orienteering Championships.
– Clean sport is a question of respecting others. Making sure it happens requires cooperation. At the U23 championships we want to guarantee that young people have all support possible for clean success. An amazing competition event is in store: fair game, young strength, good vibes and top performance. The youth have just the right attitude, says Elisa Hakanen, Secretary General of the European U23 Championships in Athletics.
The Clean Win programme information stand will be on-site at Tampere’s Ratina Stadium on 11 July from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., on 12 July from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., on 13 July from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and on 14 July from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. At the stand, you can sign the grand petition on behalf of clean sport, participate in the draw and test your horseshoe throwing skills. Athletes also have their own information stand at their place of accommodation and at the Ratina Stadium. At the stands, they can test their knowledge about clean sport and learn more about antidoping activities. There are great prizes in store, including a trip to the Senior’ European championships which will take place in Zurich from from 12 to 17 August 2014. At the information stand, athletes will be guided by students from Varala Sports Institute and others.
There will also be a poster on display at the event, on which young medalists can write their names as a sign of their commitment to clean sport.
The Clean Win programme was launched in May 2008. It honours clean athletes and the values of fair play. FINADA and Fazer want to put the spotlight on athletes who play ethically: respecting their sport, their competitors and themselves. This programme invites Finnish sports fans, sporting organisations, the friends and relatives of athletes and athletes themselves to get involved in fair play.
Further information:
Susanna Sokka
FINADA Information Manager
Mobile +358 (0)40 740 7477
Internet: www.tampere2013.fi