IRONMAN Enlists USADA to Provide Clean Sport Education for Athletes through Global Program

June 22, 2023

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. / TAMPA, Fla. (June 22, 2023)/ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – IRONMAN and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) are pleased to announce the launch of sport-specific education for IRONMAN^® athletes to ensure that all professional and age group athletes around the globe receive world-class clean sport education.

“IRONMAN wants all athletes to be informed about clean sport and to be aware of what they are putting in their bodies and the negative impacts some substances can have,” said Andrew Messick, President & CEO for The IRONMAN Group. “We believe there is no better way to do that than through this education program provided by USADA. At the end of the day, the message is simple: Know the rules, and check every single substance, supplement, or medication or treatment before you use it, even if you have used it before.”

Collaboration and planning for this program started in 2022. After launching the program with an e-learning tutorial in April, USADA hosted the first face-to-face education session for the professional IRONMAN athletes racing in the Memorial Hermann IRONMAN^® Americas Championship Texas triathlon, part of the VinFast North America Series. Like all of its education programs USADA’s evidence-informed education program for IRONMAN combines the latest educational theory, best digital delivery methods, and most experienced practitioners in the field of anti-doping education to ensure every audience member understands their rights and responsibilities under the applicable rules. Each modality is subject to rigorous monitoring and evaluation for maximum efficacy.

In addition to e-learning and face-to-face education, IRONMAN and USADA have now completed an educational video that will be rolled out to the entire population of athletes who register for any 2024 IRONMAN^® or IRONMAN^® 70.3^® races globally.

“This collaboration with USADA will consistently and clearly put necessary resources and information in front of each and every IRONMAN athlete, to ensure they have the tools to do their part in keeping a level playing field in our events” says Jennifer Tillema, Director of IRONMAN Anti-Doping Program.

USADA has provided education for clients for many years and has established a model for delivering client-specific education programs, with offerings ranging from day-of education to comprehensive programs that combine pre-event and day-of education delivered through various modalities. Covering all the topics outlined in the World Anti-Doping Agency’s International Standard of Education, USADA’s education programming utilizes knowledge checks, sport-specific athlete stories, and scenarios to ensure the material is both educational and engaging. The program also incorporates values-based activities to encourage or confirm athletes’ desire to compete clean.

“IRONMAN should be commended for their commitment to clean sport and anti-doping education,” said USADA Education Director Tammy Hanson. “When offering them the various types of education, one thing was clear, they wanted to make sure every athlete had every tool they needed to compete clean and ensured they capitalized on all that we had to offer. USADA would love to see other sport programs prioritize education alongside their commitment to testing.”

For more information about USADA’s education services, contact education@USADA.org, or learn how to contract USADA for more comprehensive clean sport services at clientservices@USADA.org.

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About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^® Series, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB^®, Tarawera Ultra by UTMB^® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB^®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events including Haute Route^®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency)

USADA conducts the year-round, independent anti-doping programs for all Olympic, Paralympic, and UFC athletes. USADA is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental agency whose sole mission is to stand with athletes to champion their right to clean sport, inspire true and healthy sport, and promote the integrity of sport.

CONTACT:

IRONMAN Communications

press@ironman.com

CONTACT:

USADA Communications

media@USADA.org