On 30 January 2025, EuropeActive hosted the final European Week of Clean Sport (EWCS) Conference in Brussels. The event brought together leaders from anti-doping authorities, the fitness and physical activity sector, public health representatives, and policymakers to advance the shared goal of promoting clean sport practices and initiatives, in sight of safeguarding sport integrity across Europe.
The Conference began with a warm welcome from Kiera Wason, EU Affairs Manager at EuropeActive. The tone was set by emphasising the significance of the EWCS project and its vital role in the fitness and physical activity sector, and further highlighted how the project aligns with broader European efforts to tackle doping, particularly in recreational sport and fitness environments.
Showcasing the EWCS Campaign
Professor Lambros Lazuras from the University of Lincoln provided an in-depth overview of the EWCS campaign’s concept and strategy. His presentation was followed by insights from the project partners from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Poland, and Portugal highlighting the implementation of tailored campaigns in their respective countries. From Bulgaria’s social media success to Poland’s “I run for pure fun” initiative and Portugal’s nationwide school outreach, these examples showcased the tangible impact of EWCS efforts at local and national levels.
Professor Lazuras also presented the campaign’s evaluation process, demonstrating how lessons learned, and participant feedback contributed to shaping policy recommendations. This evidence-based approach ensures the campaign initiatives’ sustainability while providing a blueprint for future efforts.
Broadening Perspectives on Anti-Doping
Liene Kozlovska of the Council of Europe further contextualised the EWCS campaign by presenting the Council’s ongoing anti-doping work, including findings from its recent report on doping in recreational sport. Her insights highlighted the importance of harmonising efforts at both national and European levels to tackle doping effectively.
Key Discussions: Doping in Recreational Sport
The event’s roundtable discussion provided a platform for experts to explore the current challenges of doping in recreational sport and fitness. Moderated by Professor Mike McNamee, the panel featured April Henning (Associate Professor & Head of Research, Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University), Henk Jan Thoes (Product Director, Basic-Fit), and Fredrik Lauritzen (Science Director, Anti-Doping Norway). Key topics included identifying high-risk environments, such as gyms and online spaces, the growing normalisation of doping for aesthetic purposes, and fostering synergies between anti-doping and fitness initiatives. The discussion also examined how fitness centres can address these challenges while remaining focused on their core mission of promoting and enabling healthy lifestyles.
EU Framework and Future Directions
Policy Officer Pia Haschke from the European Commission’s Sport Unit offered valuable insights into the EU’s framework for addressing sport integrity and anti-doping. She outlined the Commission’s tools and initiatives, such as Erasmus+ funding, which support grassroots sport projects like EWCS in tackling doping.
A Call to Action
The Conference concluded with closing remarks from Kai Troll, CEO of EuropeActive, who called for continued collaboration and dialogue to address the challenges of doping. Project coordinator Michael Petrou concluded the event by inviting stakeholders to participate in the next edition of the European Week of Clean Sport, scheduled for 5–13 April 2025. More details about the project activities and deliverables, and further information regarding the 2025 edition of the campaign can be found here: https://cleansportweek.eu/
