A New Year’s Message From FairSport Founder Jim Swartz

2019 is the Year when all eyes will be on WADA’s willingness to change with the times

Dear Athletes and Fellow Champions of Clean Sport,

On behalf of the small, dedicated team here at FairSport and the millions of clean athletes worldwide, we wish you a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. 

2019 is a year for real optimism for change. In response to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) and the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) gross mishandling of the Russian doping crisis and the increased suppression of athletes’ rights, athletes have mobilized in the thousands in calling for WADA to reform. The unprecedented athlete outcry against the WADA leadership we witnessed was not “criticism” as WADA like to perceive it; rather it comprised proactive and constructive solutions for how WADA needs to change with shifting public and athlete opinion­ – and to move with the times. There is growing clamor for WADA to take a tougher, more uncompromising stance against doping in sport and for the regulator to become less isolated from mainstream opinion.

Thankfully, change is on the horizon with the fourth WADA President due to be announced in November. With this impending election, FairSport, a young, independent foundation that is standing for what is right for athletes, is pleased to announce its endorsement of the one and only candidate that is in-tune with athlete and public opinion on anti-doping: Linda Helleland.

And there is more change coming. The final days of 2018 saw the introduction into the United States Senate of what promises to be the most impactful piece of anti-doping legislation ever to pass: The Rodchenkov Act. This Bill, once it becomes law, will reach areas that the current anti-doping decision-makers cannot, or will not, go. By protecting Whistleblowers and criminalizing doping conspiracies, whether perpetrated by a sport or an entire nation, this new Bill means business. As an organization that has been proud to protect and support Whistleblowers – starting with  Dr. Rodchenkov  - we welcome the passage of this Bill, and believe that WADA and the IOC should, too. 

With long overdue change on the horizon, 2019 is a time for athletes to be optimistic and to continue their drive for real change. Athletes should know that FairSport will stand at their side, as they look for their voice to be counted and for the World Anti-Doping Agency to be held to account. Let this be the year when change does come – for the integrity and future survival of world sport. 

Sincerely,
Jim Swartz
Founder, FairSport