GWANGJU – FISU President Claude-Louis Gallien, GUOC2015 Secretary-General Yoon Suk Kim and former Olympic and World Champion Edwin Moses, Chair of the WADA Education Committee presented a joint education project at a press conference at the 28th Summer Universiade in Gwangju, Korea. The three organisational bodies entered in a partnership in 2012 as part of the Gwangju Legacy Programme to develop an anti-doping e-textbook for undergraduate university students and further support its delivery into university curriculums.
Recognising that doping is no longer simply a sport problem and should be addressed as a public health issue, the 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade Organising Committee, the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have partnered to bring this project to fruition.
“It’s better to teach and educate the student-athlete rather the control and sanction”, explained FISU President Gallien. “In these matters we have to be proactive. If athletes understand they compete against themselves and not against each other, there is no need to dope oneself. This project will help educators. It’s a great legacy. Let’s start this transfer of knowledge to the university community today.”
Former Olympic and World Champion Edwin Moses, Chair of the WADA Education Committee
“WADA is very much appreciative for this collaboration with FISU”, Edwin Moses commented. “It will help us to disperse these important educational tools and make student-athletes around the world aware of the dangers of doping. It’s our job to educate athletes.”
Nine universities participated in the pilot project to test the textbook and material. They were from a cross section of continents, languages, academic disciplines and education systems.
Overall, the Anti-Doping e-Textbook Project provides a solid foundation to target future sport practitioners and provides a lasting legacy.
The e-textbook is made available on an online platform at www.antidopinglearninghub.org.
A WADA seminar is also held at the Gwangju Universiade Athletes’ Village to further instruct coaches and athletes.
C. Pierre, FISU Press Officer