European Athletics – News – European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen promotes ‘I Run Clean’ initiative

Competitors at the 2015 SPAR European Cross Country Championships, in the French town of Hyères on Sunday, will have the chance to show their commitment to a drug-free sport by wearing an ‘I Run Clean’ message on their bibs.

“This is a time for the athletes to make a statement,” commented European Athletics President Svein Arne Hansen at the traditional pre-event press conference on Saturday.

“The vast majority of athletes are clean but hurt by the current situation and the way their sport and livelihood is being dragged through the mud. It is important to give them the opportunity to express their feelings.”

Runners will have the choice between an ‘I Run Clean’ bib and a neutral one and, in addition to the advance notice given by European Athletics with the announcement of the initiative this week, all teams were also officially informed at the event’s Technical Meeting on Saturday.

European Athletics hopes athletes and fans alike will also share and promote this message of anti-doping on social media platforms using the #irunclean hashtag.

“We want participating athletes to reassure those watching at the course, and at home, that they are competing without resorting to doping. We also want our athletes to encourage aspiring athletes to adopt a clean approach to sports,” added Hansen.

European Athletics’ anti-doping education programme was one of the central elements of the 2015 under-23 championships in Tallinn and junior championships in Eskilstuna.

“The Area associations have had a very limited role in the fight against drugs in the past but I am making sure European Athletics does more in the fight against doping.

“I am starting to meet regularly with our advisors to coordinate our work in this area and look at our response to developments outside of European Athletics. I think we need to be proactive and lead in this field,” reflected Hansen.

“We are also now cooperating much more closely with WADA and the IAAF on anti-doping matters.

“European Athletics also have to be responsible to give athletes more moral guidance.  Our own Medical & Anti-Doping Commission will be working with partners to develop a values-based education system that I want all athletes to go through as a condition for competing at the European Championship, or our other events.”

This year sees the SPAR European Cross Country Championships being held in France for the first time.

“The French Athletics Federation has presented an excellent venue for the 22nd edition of the championships,” said Hansen.

“We would like to thank in advance the French Athletics Federation and the Hyères 2015 local organising committee for their hard work in organising the championships.”

European Athletics – News