UNESCO to conduct a series of anti-doping activities in the framework of preparations for the Winter Universiade 2017

ALMATY – The Officer in Charge of the UNESCO Cluster Office in Almaty, Mr. Andrei Chevelev, and the Almaty 2017 Winter Universiade Directorate met to agree on a joint action plan under the Convention on the fight against doping (2005).

The UNESCO Cluster Office presented various initiatives aimed at combating doping prior and during the 28th Winter Universiade, which will be held in Almaty from 29 January to 8 February 2017. One of the key activities will be the International Symposium on the fight against doping in sport for all athletes attending the event. As noted by Mr. Chevelev: “Today, in a highly competitive sporting environment, the temptation of using doping substances increases, thereby compromising the moral and ethical basis of sport and the health of those who practice doping.”

Thus, UNESCO and the Almaty 2017 Winter Universiade Directorate decided to consolidate their efforts to implement measures with a view to raise awareness and prevention against doping, as well as sensitize on athletes’ responsibility in terms of anti-doping rules violations.

The management of the Directorate expressed readiness to cooperate with UNESCO for the implementation of anti-doping measures and activities. In order to do so, a working group will be established, including representatives of UNESCO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Almaty City Council, the Directorate, the Kazakhstan National Federation of UNESCO Clubs and FISU. The next workshop is scheduled for 3 July, 2016.

“These UNESCO initiatives fully correspond to the scale of the preparation for the 28th World Winter Universiade” – summed up the Directorate’s management.

For reference:

UNESCO is the United Nations’ lead agency for Physical Education and Sport.

On 19 October, 2005, the International Convention against Doping in Sport was unanimously adopted by UNESCO’s General Conference in Paris. This document creates a legal framework to combat this global problem – to date, more than 180 UNESCO Members States have adhered to the Convention.

UNESCO is also a partner of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which operates with the sports movement and anti-doping organizations to ensure compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code. UNESCO works primarily with governments, NGOs and experts in order to promote physical education and sport.

UNESCO’s anti-doping programmes aim at preserving the very essence of sport characterized by values such as honesty, fairness, respect, equality, courage, loyalty and solidarity.

(Source WU 2017 OC)