COLORADO SPRINGS - USADA announces the launch of its My Victory campaign aimed at helping America's athletes understand and embrace the ideals of competing clean. True to USADA's mission, this campaign is another step toward protecting the integrity of fair and clean competition, and ensuring the health of America's athletes.
USADA's My Victory campaign was developed in collaboration with a number of America's inspirational Olympic athletes. The name My Victory symbolizes the ideal that all athletes fully dedicate themselves and make sacrifices for the love of their sport, in the interest of reaching the pinnacle of success, which is personal achievement through honest effort and ability, and without performance-enhancing drugs. The My Victory campaign is an ongoing effort by USADA to revitalize the true purpose of athletic competition, and refers to all athletes striving to achieve their own victories, whether that means placing first, third, fifth, tenth... or simply participating for the joy of competition.
"As athletes, we feel strongly about having a platform to demonstrate that hard work and 365-day-a-year dedication, combined with natural ability can lead to the achievement of the Olympic dream," says Michael Phelps. "We want to be living proof and an inspiration for those athletes who come behind us that there are no short cuts to achieving results."
The athlete-members appearing in this public service campaign serve as role models for the mission of protecting clean sport, and have voluntarily committed their participation in order to demonstrate their allegiance to the principle of fair play. As a part of the My Victory campaign, these athletes have pledged to formally uphold this commitment to clean sport. In this role, these athletes serve as representatives of their sports and the overwhelming number of America's athletes who compete clean and pursue true achievement. USADA is encouraging all athletes to make a pledge for clean sport by visiting the My Victory section of the USADA website at www.USADA.org/MyVictory.
The athlete-members participating in My Victory include:
Kristin Armstrong (Cycling)
Jeremiah Bishop (Cycling)
Bryan Clay (Track & Field)
Natalie Coughlin (Swimming)
Allyson Felix (Track & Field)Tyson Gay (Track & Field)
Sarah Hammer (Cycling)
Michael Phelps (Swimming)
Christine Thorburn (Cycling),
Dara Torres (Swimming)
Dee Dee Trotter (Track & Field)
Lauryn Williams (Track & Field)
USADA is pleased to have support and collaborative relationships for this campaign with a number of entities who embrace the anti-doping movement, including the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).
John P. Walters, Director, National Drug Control Policy stated: "Educating young athletes about the health dangers and ethical consequences of drug use in sport is an essential component in our anti-doping efforts. With the Beijing Games rapidly approaching, USADA's My Victory campaign delivers a timely and candid message about the importance of competing drug-free. As a nation, we owe these athletes tremendous gratitude for their leadership, not only on the playing field, but for their willingness to step forward and speak with passion and commitment on this important topic. Their efforts will directly touch many aspiring young athletes and send a powerful message about the true value of sport and competition."
The My Victory multi-media campaign speaks directly to athletes and athlete-supporters, and includes audio, video, print, and online components, as well as promotional materials. In addition, a comprehensive mini-site at www.USADA.org/MyVictory will provide an interactive platform for viewers to engage with the athlete-members and to take the pledge for clean sport. A YouTube interface will also allow viewers to post and share their own “My Victory” video experiences.
USADA is responsible for the testing and results management process for athletes in the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.Labels: Advocacy, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
July 25, 2008 - Newly crowned USA Marathon and Short Track Mountain Bike National Champion Jeremiah Bishop (Trek/Volkswagen) is set to compete in the Fool's Gold 100-mile mountain bike race, August 16, 2008 in Dahlonega, Georgia.
The race is the sixth event of the National Ultra Endurance series and is part of the three-day Fool's Gold Mountain Bike Races & Festival. The event, presented by 55nine Performance in conjunction with the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) and the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA), will benefit the Land Access Fund in support of the Bull Mountain trails - the site of the first IMBA Epic.
"[IMBA-] SORBA is an amazing group," Bishop says. "I've seen their work at other races in the southeast - they're one of the most active groups in the country. It's great to see the work they perform, and I'm excited to see the trails they've prepared for the race."
With some race proceeds to benefit the local trail efforts, Bishop says he is "encouraged by the 100-mile races and how they're such good stewards of the land areas which they use."
Race Director Eddie O'Dea says, "the Fool's Gold races and festival rides will travel a historic trail system and showcase some of Georgia's most epic riding. 55nine Performance, along with the United States Forest Service and IMBA-SORBA, recognize the opportunity for improvements to the current trails and the need for opening additional trails in this area. We are creating an event that brings together a national caliber race, recreational riding and trail advocacy in a way that will generate revenue to build and maintain trails. It's a perfect circle."
To race the Fool's Gold 100, Bishop says he is excited for two reasons. "It will be my first opportunity to rock the Stars and Stripes jersey at an epic long-distance mountain bike race, and it's a great reason to explore the legendary trails of north Georgia."
"It's going to be an awesome competition; the most competitive endurance race in the southeast. I look forward to it, and I'm really excited to see all the trails," he says. "A race like this is a really cool way to see a region's best trails. One hundred miles really highlights an area. Without even having to use a map, you get a great tour of the best riding in the region."
The Fool's Gold Festival will have organized rides, games, bands, on-site food & lodging, and more for the entire weekend of August 15-17, 2008.
For more information about the festival and mountain bike races, visit www.55nineperformance.com/100.html.Labels: Advocacy, Race Headlines
