August 13, 2010 - On the eve of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in Singapore, August 14–26, WADA is set to officially launch its Play True Generation Program. The Program, which was piloted during the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games in Pune, India, challenges young athletes to be a generation of clean athletes.

Just as its Athlete Outreach Program is a staple of Olympic and Paralympic Games Villages, WADA’s Play True Generation Center, located in the Village Square at the heart of the Singapore Youth Olympic Village, will be a place for athletes, coaches and entourage to learn more about anti-doping in a relaxed, fun environment.

For many athletes, the YOG will be their first experience with doping control and discussing anti-doping issues. The Play True Generation Center will be a place where athletes feel comfortable to ask questions and associate anti-doping with a positive experience.

In addition to WADA education staff, the Center will be staffed by anti-doping experts from around the world, including, Shuaib Mohammed Essa Al Zadijali (Doping Control Officer, Oman), Kellie Chamberlain (National Education Manager, Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority), Sara Fischer (WADA Athlete Committee Member), Sarah Fussek (Assistant to the Secretary General and Anti-Doping Administrator, International Ski Federation), and Nicholas Munyonga (Medical Commission, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee).

“The Play True Generation Program will be a unique experience for WADA and the young athletes attending these Games,” says WADA’s Director General David Howman. “This is our future generation of champions and sports leaders, and these young people will one day be at the forefront of the fight against doping in sport. The YOG is an excellent forum for engaging them in spreading the message of clean sport when they return home.”

Athletes will be rewarded for completing the Play True Challenge, a computer game where players see the consequences of the decisions they make–the game will be available in six languages (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, and Chinese). Athletes will also have the opportunity to take their pictures and add it to the design of the booth.

Related Story

• China's Sheng Lihao wins 2nd Paris Olympic gold with men's 10m air rifle victory(08-29 19:31)
• Olympics | Day 13: Chinese diver defends Olympic title, weightlifting debutant claims gold(08-09 16:50)
• Olympics | Chinese weightlifters Hou, Li retain gold at Paris 2024(08-08 14:26)
• Olympics | Day 12: Chinese weightlifters retain Olympic golds, artistic swimming team make history(08-08 14:23)
• Olympics | Chinese diver Quan defends women's 10m platform title at Paris Games(08-07 22:37)