Biggest ever World Championships Anti-Doping Programme combines testing with education

The 2005 edition of these World Championships, which take place in Helsinki between 6 and 14 August, will see more than 850 tests conducted, both before and during the competition: easily the largest testing programme ever conducted at an IAAF World Championships. Virtually 1 in every 2 athletes will be tested during the Championships. Approximately 350 competitors will be blood screened as they enter the athlete’s village, while during the championships themselves, close to 500 tests will be collected - more than 50 tests for every day of competition. Also in competition, about 100 blood tests will be carried out for the detection of Blood Transfusion, Hemoglobine Based Oxygen Carriers (Hbocs) and other substances. “The IAAF is determined to ensure that these Championships highlight our on-going, aggressive commitment to the war on doping,” said IAAF President Lamine Diack. “In Paris, at the last edition of the World Championships, 405 doping tests were carried out. In Helsinki, in co-operation with the Finnish Anti-doping Agency, we plan to have the most ambitious and comprehensive system of testing ever activated at a World Championships. We have increased the testing before, during and after the competition and we will also focus our efforts on education,” said Diack. The work of anti-doping education in athletics has a key role, because education helps to ensure the avoidance of inadvertent doping, and also helps to deter athletes from using banned substances or methods. For the first time the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) “Athlete Outreach Program” will be running during an IAAF World Championships. The Outreach Program encourages direct interaction with athletes while also raising awareness and education about anti-doping activities. Since the WADA program began in 2001 it has visited a number oh high profile events such as the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. The IAAF World Championships are the next stop for this exciting program. Through the Outreach Program located in the athlete’s village, competitors will be able to ask questions of the anti-doping experts from the IAAF and WADA, as well as test their knowledge and compete for prizes by playing the WADA doping quiz which will be available in 9 different languages. IAAF and WADA will distribute important information to athletes at the Outreach Stand located at the Athlete’s Village. The stand, a joint effort of IAAF, WADA and FINADA, will open on 4th August and will close on 11th August. Athletes, officials and athletes support personnel are all welcome to visit. The athletes will also have the opportunity to sign a visual pledge to doping-free sport, which hangs as a large banner next to the Outreach booth in the centre of the athlete’s village.