Today at the IWG World Conference on Women and Sport, held in Helsinki, Aino-Kaisa Saarinen, Olympic medallist, world champion in cross-country skiing, handed the petition to Beckie Scott, Olympic winner in cross-country skiing and the chairwoman of the WADA’s Athlete Committee. Signatures for the petition were collected at over 100 sports events in Finland, which is an indication of the Finnish athletes’ and sports fans’ strong commitment to clean sports and fair play.
Signatures for the Finnish Grand Petition were collected from 2008 to 2013 as part of the Clean Win programme. The petition has been signed by thousands of athletes, coaches and sports spectators. The signatures, inserted in the Golden Baton of Clean Sport, were handed over today.
-The Golden Baton contains the names of all those who signed the petition. The petition and Finland’s challenge are a strong statement against doping and other dishonest practices. I hand over the baton of clean sport and challenge all other countries to make a clear statement for fair play. Clean athletes deserve all the glory, says skier Aino-Kaisa Saarinen, who represented Finnish athletes and the Finnish Antidoping Agency FINADA at the ceremony.
– It is a great honour to be here in Finland and to receive the Golden Baton, says Beckie Scott, who received the petition.
– Driving the message of clean sport has long been part of my life, particularly as I experienced first-hand what an affect those who decide to cheat can have on the careers and prospects of the clean athletes of this world. It is great to see such a positive endorsement for clean and fair sport through this petition.
-Everybody, whether an athlete or a spectator, is entitled to enjoy clean sport. Both spectators and athletes should be able to be sure that fairness, equality and uncompromising honesty prevail in sports. With its unique and courageous fair play challenge, Finland shows that it is absolutely committed to clean sport, says Pirjo Ruutu, FINADA’s Secretary General.
– At WADA, we actively encourage any efforts by stakeholders to promote the clean sport message across different parts of the world, says WADA’s Director of Communications Julie Masse.
– Raising awareness is a central part of ensuring people are aware of the dangers and consequences of doping, and what FINADA has done through its petition is bring the antidoping message to a large audience and, as a result, encouraged others to engage in antidoping work. WADA is very thankful for these efforts.
The 6th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport, which takes place at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki on 12–15 June, is the largest sports seminar arranged in Finland for years. The overall theme of the conference is ‘Lead the Change – Be the Change’.
FINADA’s Clean Win programme was launched in 2008. The programme honours clean athletes and the values of fair play, bringing clean athletes into the spotlight.
Further information:
Susanna Sokka
Information Manager, FINADA
Mobile +358 40 740 7477