Play True Day 2025: Virtus Reaffirms Commitment to Clean Sport

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Virtus, the international federation for athletes with an intellectual impairment proudly joins the World Anti-Doping Agency’s digital campaign ‘Play True Day’ to raise awareness about the importance of Clean Sport among the Virtus community. Supported by National Member Organisations and regional groups in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, it drives the development and inclusion of sports for individuals with intellectual impairments, working closely with International Sport Federations for global promotion.

To reinforce its dedication to Clean Sport, Virtus launched the ‘Anti-Doping Awareness Program’ on April 19 2024, marking last year’s ‘Play True Day.’ This initiative strived to educate athletes, promote ethical behaviour, and safeguard sportsmanship through targeted anti-doping education tailored for international athletes, youth participants, support staff, and personnel. We are delighted to announce that the second edition of the Anti-Doping Awareness Program is set for release shortly, continuing efforts to uphold the principles of fair play and doping prevention.

In 2025, Virtus plans to expand the program, delivering enhanced resources and information to the entire Virtus community. Addressing challenges and key issues identified through consultation, Virtus has outlined strategic priorities, focusing on:

  • Information: Ensuring accurate and transparent content that emphasises fair play and institutional values while raising awareness within the community.
  • Education: Empowering athletes with anti-doping resources that promote health, integrity, and sustainable athletic careers.
  • Visibility: Showcasing the positive outcomes of doping-free sports through proactive engagement.
  • Role Modeling: Setting standards by actively addressing anti-doping matters.
  • Awareness Raising: Guiding discussions around clean sport, health risks, and the ethical consequences of doping, emphasizing the harm it can inflict on athletes’ physical and psychological well-being as well as their careers.

Virtus will share these insights via seminars (online and in-person at select events), engaging videos, social media content, and interactive athlete sessions.

We call upon all our athletes, member organisations, volunteers and stakeholders, to join us and take the pledge to show their support towards clean sport. Taking part in the campaign is as simple as downloading WADA’s Play True Day 2025 digital assets and sharing them on your social media channels on 11 April.

By championing clean sport through education and awareness, Virtus aims to protect the integrity of competition and inspire athletes to ‘Play True’, because real champions play true!