EIS backs UK Anti-Doping Clean Sport Week
The English Institute of Sport (EIS) is supporting UK Anti-Doping’s third Clean Sport Week, which launches today (Monday).
This year’s campaign, which will again have the support of a range of National Governing Bodies (NGBs), sports organisations and UK sports stars, will celebrate clean athletes and their success, and promote the work of the anti-doping community in the fight for clean sport.
The campaign will also have a strong focus on Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs), and particularly the attitudes towards, and motivations for use of, IPEDs in the gym environment. New research is set to be revealed during the week to encourage a wider public debate on the issue.
Every EIS practitioner is required to be UK Anti-doping (UKAD) Advisor Certified and meet the requirement of the Clean Games Policy when supporting athletes at major competitions.
Mike Naylor, EIS Head of Performance Nutrition, said: “At the EIS we continue to be committed to promoting and supporting clean sport week.
“Our staff work across Olympic and Paralympic sports and are on the front-line day to day with athletes, so they have a key role to play in upholding the values of clean sport.”
A number of events will take place between 20-26 May to help raise awareness of clean sport and anti-doping programmes led by UKAD, NGBs and sporting bodies across the UK. The campaign will also feature social media videos from a number of UK athletes showing their support for clean sport, through a series called ‘Feat of Strength’.
Nicole Sapstead, UKAD’s Chief Executive, said: “This year’s Clean Sport Week focuses on Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs), particularly in the gym environment.
“Following a number of media reports in recent months, concerns are growing around the use of IPEDs in this area, particularly with trends like the ‘Love Island look’, and the possibility of this seeping into the sporting arena.
“Last year’s Clean Sport Week was a huge success and hope this year’s event can drive the debate around IPEDs, as well as celebrate the successes of clean athletes and the excellent work done by National Governing Bodies and sporting partners to keep sport clean.”