IPC shows support for clean sport on WADA’s annual Play True Day

On the annual Play True Day, an initiative that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) launched in 2014, three-time Paralympic champion Zahra Nemati calls for fellow athletes to show their support for clean sport 14 Apr 2023

The Play True Day campaign has reached millions of people around the world each year.

ⒸWADA

By IPC

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) expresses its support for clean sport on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) annual Play True Day on 14 April 2023.

WADA first launched the initiative in 2014 to raise awareness among athletes, sports fans and others about the importance of anti-doping.

Play True Day started out as a small campaign in South America and has since expanded to reach millions of people around the world each year. WADA has invited athletes, national and regional anti-doping organisations, sports federations and other stakeholders to join the campaign this year.

Let's join forces on #PlayTrueDay to raise the game for clean sport. 🦾 #OnePlayTrueTeam @wada_ama | #Paralympics https://t.co/yvOVRHutBR
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) April 14, 2023

Commitment to clean sport

In line with WADA’s efforts, the IPC is committed to ensuring clean, fair and competitive sport for all athletes.

The aim of the IPC’s anti-doping programme is to safeguard the long-term integrity and development of the Paralympic Movement. This entails a respect for anti-doping rules, fellow competitors, fair competition, a level playing field and the value of clean sport to the world.

The International Paralympic Committee has developed the IPC Anti-Doping Code, in alignment with the principles of the World Anti-Doping Code, to safeguard clean sport. It applies to the Paralympic Games and all events and competitions under the IPC’s jurisdiction.

An athlete’s view

Zahra Nemati, a three-time Paralympic champion in Para archery, participated in WADA’s annual symposium in Lausanne, Switzerland, in March 2023. One of the objectives of the symposium was to give participants an overview of WADA’s key goals.

“We came into sport through a transparent classification system, we follow the rules and we want to compete on a level playing field,” Nemati said about the importance of playing clean in sports. “Always we should play true even beyond the field of play.”

Nemati, who is also a member of the IPC Athletes’ Council, encouraged fellow athletes to show their commitment and support for clean sport on Play True Day.

“The day is a special occasion during which we can express our feelings around sport and show our support for clean Para sport. Clean athletes are against any act of doping and we stand for true sport,” she said.

“I encourage all athletes to voice their support for Play True Day.”