The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) joins with the global anti-doping community in celebrating Play True Day on April 9th 2021. Caribbean RADO Chairman Patrick Werleman says this year’s Play True Day is especially important in the buildup to the Olympic Games, while sporting activities continue to resume around the Caribbean region, after being halted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As we all know, athletes never stop exercising even if there are no immediate competitions planned. This implies that cheaters don’t take breaks either. Of course, because of the pandemic, some of the approaches and procedures have been adjusted to ensure all antidoping activities continued, with the safety of athletes and doping control personnel being paramount. Anti-doping programmes are important every year; however, the fact that the Olympic Games will be held this year offers even greater visibility for awareness programmes.”
Werleman says the day is significant as it focuses attention on the fundamental reason to play sports – for the love of the game – while respecting oneself, opponents and officials. The regional Anti-Doping Chairman is urging Caribbean sportsmen and women to continue to “play true”, noting that “after you discover the love of the game, excelling in your sport becomes your motivation to continue practicing. You want to be the best you can be; and you can only be ‘the best’ by playing true.”
Play True Day has been celebrated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and other global stakeholders in the anti-doping movement since 2014. This year, athletes and sporting organizations are taking part in WADA’s global social media campaign under the theme “What does Play True mean to you?”. The aim of Play True Day is to promote clean sport while raising awareness among athletes and the wider sporting community.
