WADA to launch Play True Generation Programme at Youth Games
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is to launch its Play True Generation Programme, that was trialled two years ago at Pune, at the first Youth Olympic Games that opens today in Singapore.
The programme, piloted at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, challenges young athletes to be a generation of clean athletes and would be located at the heart of the Youth Games Village, a media release said on Saturday.
"The Play True Generation Programme will be a unique experience for WADA and the young athletes attending these Games," said WADA Director General David Howman.
"This is our future generation of champions and sports leaders, and these young people will one day be at the forefront of the fight against doping in sport. The YOG is an excellent forum for engaging them in spreading the message of clean sport when they return home," he added.
Just as its Athlete Outreach Programme is a staple of Olympic and Paralympic Games Villages, WADA's Play True Generation Centre, located in the Games Village Square, would be a place for athletes, coaches and entourage to learn more about anti-doping in a relaxed, fun environment.
For many athletes, Youth Olympics would be their first experience with doping control.
Discussing anti-doping issues and the Play True Generation Centre is set to be a place where athletes feel comfortable to ask questions and associate anti-doping with a positive experience, the release said.
In addition to WADA education staff, the Centre is to be staffed by anti-doping experts from around the world.
The list of experts includes Shuaib Mohammed Essa Al Zadijali (Doping Control Officer, Oman), Kellie Chamberlain (National Education Manager, Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority), Sara Fischer (WADA Athlete Committee Member), Sarah Fussek (Assistant to the Secretary General and Anti-Doping Administrator, International Ski Federation), and Nicholas Munyonga (Medical Commission, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee).
Athletes would be rewarded for completing the Play True Challenge, a computer game where players see the consequences of the decisions they make. It will be available in six languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese), the release added.
