The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and performance sportswear brand ASICS have launched an innovative educational partnership to strengthen their support for sports integrity and cultivate a culture of sportsmanship – offering tailored educational services on critical sports-integrity issues for ASICS-sponsored athletes, employees and support personnel.
Bespoke sessions will be delivered for different cohorts, both in-person and online, as part of a global annual programme covering a full range of integrity topics, including anti-doping, safeguarding, gambling, competition manipulation, and age manipulation. Additionally, one-on-one consultations will be offered to athletes upon request.
Spearheaded by Aditya Kumar, the AIU Head of Education, the first session was hosted in June at ASICS’ Chojo Camp Europe, a high-altitude training facility located in southern France. Athletes, ASICS staff, trail-management consultants, and medical practitioners attended the programme’s kick-off.
Kumar emphasised the importance of stakeholder partnerships in raising awareness about fair play and empowering athletes to make informed decisions about their welfare.
“This is a significant partnership. The AIU and ASICS have recognized that by working together, we can deliver a powerful message about the importance of integrity in our sport and better engage athletes on crucial topics,” noted Kumar.
ASICS has always championed the role of sport and movement in uplifting individuals and communities. This principle is encapsulated in the name ASICS, “Anima Sana In Corpore Sano,” which translates to “A Sound Mind In A Sound Body”. ASICS’ support for their athletes extends beyond traditional sponsorship to embrace a holistic approach to personal and professional development.
Underscoring their commitment to sports integrity, ASICS stressed the necessity of investing in athletes’ long-term physical and mental well-being, which should not be sacrificed for success.
“At ASICS, we’ve always believed in the power of sports to unite people and lift spirits. Since our founding in 1949, our mission has been to help people experience the positive impact of movement and exercise on body and mind,” said ASICS Director of Sports Marketing, Olivier Mignon.
“This is why caring for our athletes’ wellbeing has always been at the core of what we do. While we’re proud to help our athletes perform well and break records, the long-term physical, mental and emotional well-being of every athlete means just as much. As part of our commitment to athletes’ well-being, we place strong emphasis on sportsmanship and sports integrity. That is why we are proud to support clean sports and contribute to a safe and fair environment for all athletes through our extended collaboration with the Athletics Integrity Unit.”
ASICS has been associated with the AIU since 2020 as one of four sportswear brands financially supporting the Road Running Integrity Programme.
