Ramadan Mubarak

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Published on Thursday, 23 April 2020 12:30

Dear WAKO Family & Friends

To those of you celebrating, Ramadan.  I Welcome this auspicious month of Ramadan with a heart filled with joy, peace and harmony.

I wish you and your family a blessed Ramadan Mubarak.

Have a blessed Ramadan Kareem.

Roy Baker,

President WAKO

WADA CELEBRATES 'PLAY SAFE ON PLAY TRUE DAY 2020' WITH THE GLOBAL CLEAN SPORT COMMUNITY

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Published on Thursday, 09 April 2020 19:03

Montreal, 9 April 2020 – Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) celebrates Play Safe on Play True Day 2020 with athletes, National and Regional Anti-Doping Organizations, Sports Federations, Major Event Organizers and other anti-doping stakeholders from the global Clean Sport community.
 
Since 2014, in April, WADA and the anti-doping community worldwide have celebrated 'Play True Day' -- a day that is dedicated to Clean Sport and is intended to raise awareness among athletes, the sporting public and others about the importance of protecting Clean Sport. The inspiration for Play True Day stems from a WADA-hosted Education Conference in 2013, which was attended by 17 Latin American countries. While the celebration started as a small Latin American initiative, last year, the Agency's digital and social media campaign reached over six million people with numerous individuals and organizations taking part from around the globe.
 
This year, given the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having around the globe, WADA seized the opportunity to engage the global anti-doping community – and all stakeholders in the fight to protect Clean Sport – in solidarity around the theme Play Safe on Play True Day 2020, asking them to participate in a digital and social media campaign by sharing what they are doing and why to curb the spread of the virus.
 
WADA President Witold Bańka said: "I wish to thank everyone who is taking part in raising awareness about the importance of Playing Safe for Play True Day 2020. This year's campaign is once again reaching all corners of the globe, showing how we as the Clean Sport community are doing our part to fight COVID-19 and protect public health. WADA joins the world in navigating these uncertain times and in being grateful to the healthcare workers and all others who are working selflessly to help us navigate this difficult moment in history. We salute this global team effort on Play True Day and remain well prepared for the day when anti-doping efforts can return to full force."

To participate

 WADA encourages its stakeholders to share personalized photo and video messages using specially-created branded frames and a Play Safe Pledge to show what particular cause, person or group of people they are playing safe for. The Agency also encourages the use of the hashtags #PlayTrue #PlaySafe and #PlayTrueDay in order to maximize the impact of the event on social media. All materials are available in English, French and Spanish.
 
To find out more about the events being promoted as part of Play Safe on Play True Day 2020, please visit the official Play True Day website and follow the campaign in real-time via our dedicated Play True Day social media wall.

European Universities Games2020 postponed

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Published on Saturday, 28 March 2020 08:40

Dear All,

I would like to inform you that, due to present situation with spread of virus COVID-19, European University Sports Association (EUSA) and the Organising Committee of the 5th European Universities Games Belgrade 2020 have reached a decision to postpone the EUSA Games until summer 2021.
Since the situation with further impact of COVID-19 virus on all European countries can not be predicted at the moment and the health of all involved in this huge multisport event can not be guaranteed by July, considering also the fact that participants could not be prepared on the best way, decision was made in the best interest of all.

Regards,

Istvan Kiraly
WAKO Europe Acting President

European Universities Games2020 postponed official letter

WADA RESPONDS TO ATHLETE QUERIES CONCERNING ANTI-DOPING IN LIGHT OF COVID-19

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Published on Tuesday, 24 March 2020 21:30

Montreal, 23 March 2020 – Today, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) responded to athlete queries concerning anti-doping in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by publishing a Question and Answer (Q&A) document that it developed in consultation with its Athlete Committee. This follows on from WADA's COVID-19 guidance that was issued on 20 March to Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) worldwide.
 
WADA President Witold Bańka said: "WADA and the global anti-doping community are prioritizing public health, safety and social responsibility. As we continue to meet the challenges of this pandemic, the health of athletes and all those involved in clean sport, will continue to be front-of-mind.
 
"WADA acknowledges how difficult this situation has been and will continue to be for athletes as they deal with the strict measures that have been put in place around the world, which are disrupting their training programs and creating uncertainty as to what is in store for their upcoming competitions. The anti-doping community has banded together to adjust its daily operations by suspending or reducing some of its programs, including testing and other activities. As difficult as this is for everyone, we must stay strong. We will get through this situation and everyone hopes that we can return the global anti-doping system to full power as soon as we emerge."
 
Chair of the WADA Athlete Committee Ben Sandford said: "In these difficult times, we must all do our part to stay safe, keep others safe and look out for each other. We are athletes, but first of all we are human. It is important that we listen to our government health authorities and do our part to minimize the likelihood of transmission and impact on society. The situation clearly goes well beyond anti-doping and sport and this document is designed to address some specific concerns that athletes may have right now as we navigate the path ahead.
 
"Athletes should be aware that testing can continue where appropriate, where possible and with the necessary health and hygiene protocols in place. It is important to ensure the integrity of the overall system is maintained as much as possible. WADA will continue to identify any gaps in the program and advise relevant ADOs accordingly so that they can adjust their testing programs going forward."
 
The Q&A covers issues such as:

• Ongoing testing
• Minimizing the risk of contracting or transmitting the virus
• Filing of whereabouts information
• Validating Therapeutic Use Exemptions
• Maintaining the integrity of the anti-doping system
• Refusing to comply with testers at this time

WADA will continue to liaise with athletes and ADOs in the interest of publishing updates regarding the Agency's response to COVID-19 as the situation evolves.