Teams unite to support initiative

TOKYO - All 20 teams competing at Rugby World Cup 2019 (RWC 2019) will unite to get behind Keep Rugby Clean weekend on October 5-6 in a show of solidarity and support for World Rugby’s anti-doping education and awareness programme.

With RWC 2019 already breaking records in terms of broadcast audiences and social media engagement, the Keep Rugby Clean weekend will provide an unparalleled global stage to educate the next generation of rugby stars about the dangers of doping and underscore the sport’s commitment to preserve a level playing field for all.

The 20 teams will all play their part in promoting the Keep Rugby Clean programme with all 620 players, along with team management and match officials, wearing Keep Rugby Clean T-shirts on match days and at public events to support the initiative, which is a feature at all World Rugby tournaments.

Keep Rugby Clean is recognised by the World Anti-Doping Agency as one of sport’s leading anti-doping education programmes, having supported around 20,000 players and team management since its launch in 2005.

The #KeepRugbyClean weekend is a key education strategy to deter doping, assist players in making informed ethical decisions, and promote the importance of healthy approaches to medication and nutrition.

World Rugby operates a robust anti-doping programme and all RWC 2019 teams have been subjected to a comprehensive pre-event testing programme in the year prior to the tournament, with programmes for each country carefully co-ordinated with National Anti-doping Organisations (NADOs). Blood, urine and biological passport tests have been conducted at a combination of training sessions, players homes, team hotels and matches.

Education is a fundamental part of the process and all RWC 2019 participating teams have undertaken mandatory anti-doping education as a key element of the tournament welfare programme. This includes e-learning and face-to-face sessions delivered in the players’ own language.

To mark the Keep Rugby Clean weekend, World Rugby will be releasing two new awareness films for participants, helping educate on safe approaches to nutrition and how to avoid the pitfalls of risky supplements.

They videos are produced in English, French, Japanese and Spanish.