March 31/10 13:25 pm - CCA Announces Launch Of Race Clean Own Your Victory Program

Posted by Editoress on 03/31/10
 

After extensive consultation with athletes and Provincial and Territorial cycling associations, the Canadian Cycling Association is pleased to announce the launch of the Race Clean OWN YOUR VICTORY program. This program is athlete driven and compliments the highly successful Roulez Gagnants au Naturel program that the Fédération québécois des sports cyclistes (FQSC) has been delivering in that province and through their provincial teams at national and invitational events.

The Race Clean OWN YOUR VICTORY logo was developed by Edmonton graphic designer Kathryn Jamieson-Lega. It symbolizes Canadian cyclists’ commitment to drug free sport and the words have a very profound and personal meaning.

Race Clean: these words directly address and recognize the importance of fair play, clean sport, and the obligation racers have to compete within the rules. It is our hope that all Canadian athletes respect the rules which include not using prohibited substances or practices.

OWN YOUR VICTORY: these words hope to promote a more personal and internal motivation for clean sport. We hope that every athlete strives to achieve their own personal goals or victories no matter what they may be; from local club races all the way to the Olympics. We also hope that they have complete ownership of these victories and are able to feel the reward of their hard work and dedication. We don't want the victories or accomplishments to ring hollow with ownership belonging to cheating or doping. No matter what the accomplishment we hope the athletes can look at their results with pride and never have to ask what they could have achieved themselves.

We are lucky to have such great role models for clean sport in Canadian Cycling. Riders such as Tara Whitten, Svein Tuft, Catharine Pendrel, Geoff Kabush, Zach Bell, Erinne Willock, and others are showing that there is no limit to what you can achieve at the highest level of sport.

“It was a much more difficult situation when I started racing, but I am very optimistic for the next generation of cyclists. I made the decision very early in my career that everything I was going to achieve was going to happen naturally. It is so much more rewarding to be on top of a podium knowing that it was due to my hard work, dedication, and desire to continually learn and improve myself. I hope that the “Race Clean, Own Your Victory” message helps inspire the current and next generation of cyclists to make the decision to pursue their goals with confidence.”
Geoff Kabush
Team Maxxis-Rocky Mountain

“I'm really excited about this athlete driven Race Clean initiative. Canadian cyclists are making a statement. Look to see us proudly Owning Our Victories this summer!”
Catharine Pendrel
LUNA Chix Pro Team

"I choose to 'Race Clean' because I believe sport is the opportunity to challenge our bodies and perform at our full capacity through the aid of training, determination, discipline and passion."
Erinne Willock
Webcor Builders Women’s Professional Cycling Team

"Personal achievement is only real if it is gained through honest athletic
development. Success is only as worth having because of the journey it
takes to achieve it."

"We have to believe that sport and competition can exist in an honest drug
free environment. By making this statement as a group we can strengthen
our resolve and know everything we do as a national team is not only
honest but can be achieved drug free."

"If we can be successful drug free, young athletes will understand that
ANY athlete can win drug free."
Zach Bell
Kelly Benefits - Medifast Pro Cycling Team

From these testimonials it can be seen that our athletes are stepping up to the challenge and opportunity provided by the Race Clean program. At a recent camp in Tucson, Arizona members of the National Road and Mountain Bike Teams were presented Race Clean socks and wristbands to wear in training and competition for this next season.

As the season unfolds there will be other aspects of the program present at National Championships and events hosted in Canada. Look to the CCA website for further information on the Race Clean OWN YOUR VICTORY program in the near future.

Courtesy CCA

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