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Play True Day, established by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2014, is an annual event dedicated to promoting clean sport and raising awareness about doping prevention. Celebrated every April, it unites athletes, organisations and the public worldwide in a collective commitment to fair play and integrity in sports. The 2025 theme, “Play True: It Starts with You,” emphasises individual responsibility in upholding these values. Over the years, Play True Day has grown into a global movement, with the 2024 campaign reaching nearly 200 million impressions and generating 260,000 engagements on social media.
The IJF Clean Judo Team was present at the Tata OTC 2025 to promote not only WADA’s Play True Day but also to support athletes, coaches and officials with any questions related to anti-doping matters. Ember Andrea, IJF Anti-Doping Coordinator shared her thoughts on the initiative:
“Since 2014, what began as a small initiative, the celebration of clean sport known as Play True Day, has grown into a global movement. Even though for most athletes every day is a Play True Day, it is worth to have a dedicated day to demonstrate that it is not just a slogan but the life of the majority of those in sport. This year, it falls on 11 April, making today a great opportunity to renew our commitment to keeping judo clean. Judo is among the cleanest sports and we believe that education is the key to prevention. Often, it is not bad intentions but a lack of knowledge that leads to sanctions capable of ending promising careers. Since 2023, the IJF has been running Clean Sport Education Workshops, offering engaging, age-appropriate learning opportunities for everyone from cadets to seniors. This marks the second time the EJU and IJF have come together in Tata to celebrate Play True Day. We are committed to showing, through education, that there is no alternative to playing fair and competing clean. Anything else goes against the very values of judo.”
Clean sport doesn’t just happen… it starts with ME, it starts with YOU.
Author: Szandra Szogedi