Hockey has long been held in high regard for its excellent reputation when it comes to anti-doping education, with the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Continental Federations and the National Associations all working tirelessly to ensure that the important message of a doping-free sport is heard by all.
A clear indication of how seriously the sport takes the education of its athletes on anti-doping was evident at the recent men’s and women’s Hockey Champions Trophies, which were played at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in London. The FIH is proud to report that every single athlete that competed at the events had completed anti-doping education courses either organized by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) or their National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADO).
All 216 athletes on show at both the Men’s Hero Hockey Champions Trophy and the Women’s Hockey Champions Trophy had earned certificates by completing either WADA’s online anti-doping course or one specifically organized by their NADOs.
As well as this, the FIH ensured that anti-doping information was freely available to all athletes competing at the events thanks to a special display located in the athlete’s rest area at Lee Valley.
Speaking about the importance of the anti-doping message, Argentina superstar Delfina Merino said: “I think every sport has to be clean. If people are not clean then it is not fair. It is important that all athletes are on the same level. In hockey we really believe in that. We all want it to remain a clean sport and that we all give our best by ourselves without any unfair advantages.”
“I am very proud that hockey has such a good reputation as being a clean sport”, continued Merino. “I love the sport, I have played since I was four years old so my life is all about hockey. It is a sport that also gives you values that you have with you for your whole life, so I am very proud that we are clean."
The FIH firmly believes that anti-doping education is a key pillar of good governance for our sport, and is proud that the National Associations and the athletes themselves have embraced the drive to keep hockey clean. In addition to the educated athletes at the Champions Trophies, the FIH has requested that all hockey athletes selected by their National Association to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games must earn their anti-doping certificate prior to the start of the competition.
For more information about WADA, visit their website by clicking here.
Photo: FIH/Getty Images
