Youth Drug Testing to Begin In 2009 ,The Future Is NOW
June 19, 2008
The USATF reports on a strategy to inform youth runners and their parents of the dangers of steriod abuse as testing begins 2009.The Future Is Now…
USATF To Ramp Up Anti-Doping Education And Testing For Youth Athletes.
USA Track & Field will heighten anti-doping education initiatives at its three youth national championships in 2008 and will begin in-competition drug testing at the 2009 championship events. The programs are a partnership with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and are tied to USATF’s Zero Tolerance anti-doping initiative and Win With Integrity youth outreach program.
At the 2008 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships, USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships and USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, USATF will work with USADA to distribute educational materials on drug testing, will conduct town hall meetings for parents and coaches to learn more about anti-doping efforts, and will require athletes in the Youth, Intermediate, and Young divisions to view USADA’s Doping Control Process video which highlights the processes and procedures that occur during an in-competition drug test.
USATF will also work with USADA to further promote USADA’s 100% Me, My Choices Matter campaign, which focuses on equipping young athletes with knowledge and skills to make responsible, ethical, and healthy choices.
In 2009, formal drug testing at the USATF youth championships will be conducted for athletes in the Intermediate (15-16 years old) and Young Men/Woman divisions (17-18years old). American athletes in the Intermediate and Young divisions have always been subject to drug testing when competing in the USA Junior Championships, IAAF World Youth Championships, and IAAF World Junior Championships. USATF hopes that by adding the educational programs and the drug testing at the youth events the athletes will be provided with the information and experience necessary to compete drug-free at the highest levels of competition and in life.
“We are pleased to be moving forward with new education initiatives in partnership with USADA,” said USATF President/Acting CEO Bill Roe. “Athletes at younger and younger ages are feeling the pressure to enhance their performances by any means possible, and we need to let them, their coaches, and parents know that we are here to help them stay away from unethical and potentially dangerous choices.”
“In keeping with USATF’s Zero Tolerance initiative, we felt that it is critical to send a strong message to our young athletes, their parents, and our youth club coaches that the use of drugs is wrong and will not be tolerated in our sport,” stated Lionel Leach USATF Youth Athletics Committee Chair. “We feel that a strong educational program that includes in-person education and more information distributed via e-mail and the internet would provide us with the foundation to move forward in 2009 with formal drug testing.”
For more information on USATF’s youth, Zero Tolerance and Win With Integrity programs, visit www.usatf.org
Related posts:
- Reaction To IHSH’s Decision To Implement Drug Testing
- Predicting Future Success Of A Youth Athlete
- Should A Parent Begin To Sports Specify His/ Or Her Child Before 12-13 ?
- Did You Know??
- What’s New in 2009 Youth Track and Field
Thanks for visiting the blog, trackmom.
Your site is pretty impressive and chockfulof information. It is going to be one of my resources from now on. Keep up the great work. Cheers.
Best wishes
Singapore Sports Fan
Great news! Happy to hear that there are efforts being made to “nip it in the bud”. Win the natural way and then you will be a true winner!!
The program is a move in the right direction. Drug testing is a small part of the solution. It is a pandoras box that many hope doesn’t come to light. It’s far from a perfect science at this point. I’m not saying that testing isn’t good. It’s just that once you catch an athlete–it’s too late.
The best aspect of the USATF program is where coaches and parents talk to children about using performancing enhancing drugs. This is a proactive approach to the matter. It’s the best way to change a culture especially since early on parents and coaches have a great opportunity to shape youths attitudes on doping.
Jay Hicks
Editor
http://www.preracejitters.com
[...] Youth Drug Testing to Begin In 2009 ,The Future Is NOW [...]
Dear Sir/Madam
My name is Abhi Bikram Chettri . I’m 28 years old. I’m From Nepal. I use to be in drug for a long time. Been for the treatment and now I’m clean.
I have done my studies from christen school. Now that I realize that I need to do something to prevent my friend and children, who’s been in drug.
I know exactly how life seems to be in drug. A world of illusion. Therefore, I would like to explore my experience and gain, more information on youth drug problem.
I would like to take a course on related field and also take part in few of these events. Please guide me on this.
I will be working for NGO on regard drug abuse prevention in Nepal.
Waiting for your earliest and positive response.
Regards
Abhi Bikram Chettri