Principles and Values of Clean Sport
The intrinsic value of sport, often called “the spirit of sport”, is the ethical pursuit of human excellence through the true perfection of each athlete’s natural talents. Clean deaf sport is an environment where deaf athletes’ health is protected, and competitors are provided with the opportunity to pursue human excellence without using prohibited substances and methods.
Why does clean sport matter?
Everyone has a primary duty to protect clean sports. Cheating in any form undermines the spirit of sport and the efforts of clean deaf athletes.
Importance of Anti-Doping
Anti-doping rules exist to define different aspects of the deaf sport in order to maintain excitement and to ensure fairness on the field play. The use of doping substances or methods to enhance performance is wrong and harmful to athletes’ mental and physical health.
Clean sport protects the spirit of deaf sport, which is the celebration of the human spirit, body, and mind and is reflected in the values we find in and through sport, including:
- Health
- Ethics, fair play, and honesty
- Athletes’ rights
- Excellence in performance
- Character and Education
- Fun and joy
- Teamwork
- Dedication and commitment
- Respect for rules and laws
- Respect for self and other participants
- Courage
- Community and solidarity
Clean sport means:
- Respecting yourself, respecting sportsmanship, respecting your sport;
- Participating and competing with integrity;
- Reaching your potential through discipline, training, proper resting and recovery, practising good nutrition habits;
- Getting educated on anti-doping;
- Holding true to your values and principles;
- Looking for help and information when needed;
- Following the anti-doping rules;
- Advocating for your rights;
- Performing your anti-doping responsibilities;
- Speaking up to share concerns about doping; and
- Knowing your responsibilities whether you are an athlete, support personnel or an administrator
Athletes are playing their part by learning about healthy ways to train, asking for help from those around that they trust and questioning information they find online or what their peers tell them, competing internationally while demonstrating their sport values, and knowing that their performance was honest throughout their sport career.
Coaches are playing their part by encouraging athletes to give their best efforts, helping them excel by using their natural abilities, being in-tune with their athletes, knowing when they need to slow down and apply rest, and recovery practices or adjustments to their training plan, and being a good role model themselves.
Team health care personnel is playing its part by keeping the athletes health and wellbeing their top priority, helping athletes understand what substances are banned in sport and sharing the risks of using supplements, and giving sound evidence-based advice about returning from injury.
The spirit of sport is expressed in how to play true. The ICSD embodies these values. We believe in a fair field of play, and we all have our part to play for a clean sport.
Always remember:
- Think about why youd participating in sport and what sport means to you
- Live the values of clean sport at all times
- Make sure you are fully aware of the anti-doping rules and who they apply to
- Keep yourself up to date with the latest anti-doping news
- Be the right example to your friends, teammates, family, and your country.