AIU AIMING TO ‘SHINE LIGHT’ IN THOUGHT-LEADERSHIP SERIES – AIU

17 APRIL 2023, MONACO: Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Chair David Howman has announced the start of a thought leadership series called ‘Shining A Light’ which will examine a sports-integrity topic on a quarterly basis, sharing insights and perspectives with the global sports community and media.

Noting that AIU – which is celebrating its sixth anniversary this month – was the first stand-alone, independent integrity body in the sports world, Howman explained the organisation is fervently committed to contributing to the ever-simmering discussion surrounding sports integrity.

“The AIU has spent the first five years of its existence focused on pursuing the cheats in our sport and calling them to account for their actions. Of course, this remains at the forefront of our work but as the AIU continues evolving and enhancing our technologies and intelligence, we feel it’s equally important to be a resolute voice in this niche industry – sharing our experience, advancing ideas and stirring debate, even if it may be controversial,” he elaborated.

“Beyond being the guardians of clean athletics, we want to help in terms of stimulating engagement and discussion on topics of interest across the sports-integrity industry.”

The spotlight falls on Tampering in the first article of the series as Howman (pictured above) details various cases during recent years and looks at how the AIU has uncovered the truth, condemning a number of high-profile athletes to lengthy – even career-ending – bans.

The series will be disseminated to global media and specifically to World Athletics’ Member Federations through the revamped AIU newsletter.

About the Athletics Integrity Unit

The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) is the independent body created by World Athletics that manages all integrity issues – both doping and non-doping – for the sport of athletics. The remit of the AIU includes anti-doping, the pursuit of individuals engaged in age or competition results manipulation, investigating fraudulent behaviour with regards to transfers of allegiance, and detecting other misconduct including bribery and breaches of betting rules.

It is the AIU’s role to drive cheats out of our sport, and to do everything within its power to support honest athletes around the world who dedicate their lives to reaching their sporting goals through dedication and hard work.

Source: Athletics Integrity Unit