Antidoping education 2018

Competition: Junior and Cadet World Championships, 1st to 9th April

City:Verona, Italy

Dates: April 2 to 8, 7 days - 2 days more than in 2017 due to changing the calendar, with all the epee competitions first, followed by the sabre and then the foil. The objective was to raise the fencers’ awareness of all 3 weapons.

Awareness stand

3 PC provided by the local organizers on tables with plenty of space around the stand in the main hall, close to the Fair Play stand.

1 x large roll-up "Clean Sport” banner + 1 x WADA advertising board set up.

Posters - put up around the competition venue.

WADA brochures in English and French.

“Wall" to be signed by the fencers - "WE SAY NO TO DOPING"

Instructors

Dr Clare Halsted - FIE

Dr Sabrina Halaimia - FIE

Dr Mary Cohen - Medical Commission (EEC) - volunteered to help for the first 3 days.

Cecilia Iacolucci and Chiara Vari from the Italian National Anti-Doping Organization joined the stand for the day on 6th April and added their advertising boards "There are so many reasons for fair play - What are yours?" to the activities.

Promotion

Some posters were put up all around the competition venue on 1^st April and others later on, but the area was huge so it was difficult to guarantee sufficient advertising.

The educational area, which this year included the "Safe Sport", "Donate Your Fencing Gear", Fair Play and Antidoping stands, was very well configured with a lot of space and partitions that could be used for posters, etc. However it was somewhat outside the traffic flow and as the competition venue was huge, the fencers did not pass through automatically. This may have partly affected the figures.

Participation

Participating countries - 54

However, there were 13 countries that had still never taken part in the program.

Total number of participants - 389

Coaches accounted for 10% of the total (7.7% in 2017)

The fencers who took part in the quiz enjoyed it and showed a lot of interest. They were often in groups or with a friend. Coaches were still thin on the ground - 2018 - 39; 2017 - 43; 2016 - 36.

Awards

The free USB codes were once again highly appreciated, as was the possibility of winning the draw for the cash prizes offered by the FIE. We began with only 2 x 50 euros, but after the 3rd day we decided to change to 4 x 25 euros. The 23 winners (one prize was shared) were extremely grateful.

All those who obtained a score of 9 or 10/10 in the quiz also won a small chocolate Easter egg - it was just symbolic but was a great success.

The wall of signatures was also very popular.