FIFA Joins WADA’s Say NO! to Doping Campaign during World Cup

FIFA and WADA have teamed up during the Football World Cup, which kicked off in South Africa on June 11, to promote the Say NO! to Doping Campaign.

During the World Cup, each team will be provided with balls with the Say NO! to Doping slogan. Players will be encouraged to be leaders in the Campaign by using the balls during personal training and by bringing them back to their countries to spread the Say NO! to Doping message. FIFA has also produced a video with World Cup football saying no to doping.

WADA’s Say NO! to Doping Campaign, which normally has a green element to sports equipment, is intended to provide sport and anti-doping communities with a tool to draw attention to the commitment of athletes to compete free from doping.

Those following WADA on Facebook have a chance to win a World Cup Say NO! to Doping ball, autographed by players, by posting pictures or videos of their own green equipment in action. Visit WADA’s Facebook page for more information.

“WADA is pleased to have FIFA join the Say NO! to Doping Campaign. Having a common, easily recognizable message and symbol of clean sport is a good way to unite athletes worldwide in the fight against doping in sport. With the attention of the world being drawn to South Africa, the World Cup provides incomparable platform for showcasing the message,” said WADA President John Fahey.

“FIFA is committed to the fight against doping. Education and stringent controls have been the cornerstone in the fight over the past years as well as during the FIFA World Cup 2010,” explained FIFA Chief Medical Officer Jiri Dvorak. “FIFA says NO! to Doping.”

The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) was the first International Sport Federation to implement the Campaign, which it officially launched, in partnership with WADA, at the 2010 Ice Hockey World Championships held in May in Germany. During the World Championships, teams warmed up using IIHF and WADA co-branded green pucks (normally black). Video clips of ice hockey players, coaches and officials promoting the message of clean sport, were played in the arenas during games. Click here to view the videos.

Click here for more information about WADA’s Say NO! to Doping Campaign.

Follow the FIFA Say NO! to Doping ball in action on WADA’s Twitter account at http://twitter.com/wada_ama and WADA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/wada.ama.