News

Posted: 18 May 2020

Olympic silver medallist, Karen Bennett,and Scottish Rowing are supporting UK Anti-Doping’s ‘Clean in Quarantine’ campaign as part of Clean Sport Week 2020.

The campaign, now in its fourth year, is being supported by a range of National Governing Bodies (NGBs), sports organisations and UK sports stars, who are taking part in several online activities focusing on anti-doping education throughout the week, 18-24 May 2020. 

Based on research conducted by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), Clean Sport Week is encouraging those in sport to celebrate clean sport and continue expanding their anti-doping knowledge. Furthermore, UKAD is calling for athletes to adopt practicesinto their day-to-day lives that will reduce the risk of violating anti-doping rules.

As part of a Clean Sport strategy, Scottish Rowing delivers anti-doping education for athletes and coaches on a regional basis and works alongside the GB Rowing Team to support those on the performance pathway.

Karen Bennett, silver medallist in the women’s eight at Rio 2016, said:

“As athletes, Clean Sport is hugely important to us to protect the integrity of sport.

"We are well supported in the GB Rowing Team and attend Clean Sport education every year to make sure we know our rights and responsbilities.

“Clean Sport is a collective responsibility and so I encourage all rowers and their coaches across the rowing community to participate in Clean Sport education.”

Scottish Rowing Chief Operating Officer, Amanda Cobb, added:

“Scottish Rowing believes in clean rowing and works in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and British Rowing to ensure that the integrity of rowing is protected.

“Clean Sport Week provides us all with an opportunity to refresh our understanding of anti-doping protocols in sport and remind ourselves of our individual and collective responsibilities to keep rowing clean.

“With the increase in online learning through the lockdown period there’s never been a better time forathletes and coaches from across the Scottish Rowing community to increase their awareness with the support of UKAD’s excellent resources.”

Through a number of online events, the ‘Clean in Quarantine’ campaign for Clean Sport Week, willpromote UKAD’s online education programmesincluding Coach Clean, which is now available free online.

The campaign will also see social media videos from several UK athletes and coaches featured on UKAD’s channels as theyback ‘Clean in Quarantine’ while social distancing during the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown across the UK.

Nicole Sapstead, UKAD’s Chief Executive, said:“The Covid-19 crisis has impacted sport on many levels, but our Clean in Quarantine campaign is highlighting ways that athletes and coaches can maintain their commitment to clean sport during lockdown.

“UKAD’s free education resources are vital tools in maintaining integrity and public confidence in sport when it returns. We’re calling on athletes and coaches to access the information they need to protect themselves and clean sport.

“We’ve seen on social media how well athletes and coaches have adapted to life in lockdown. Making a few changes to incorporate anti-doping practices into their daily routine is equally achievable.”