ITA Education Ambassadors

ITA Education Ambassadors

Clean sport education plays a crucial role in ensuring a clean and fair field of play for all athletes. Our nine Education Ambassadors embody everything we stand for – Integrity, Excellence and Equality – and help us to “Keep Sport Real”. They have been carefully selected and trained as ITA Educators to help us deliver anti-doping education for our partners across the world. They represent different corners of the globe, a variety of sports, and have extensive experience in anti-doping education. Our ambassadors also have expertise across a wide range of other key areas such as athlete representation, whistleblowing, social science research and other sport ethics and integrity matters.

We are delighted to introduce them below!

Ambassadors by Nationality

United Kingdom
  • Toby Atkins
United States
  • Dr. Kelsey Erickson
Germany
  • Gabriel Zangenfeind
Australia
  • Eric Mackenzie
Switzerland
Canada
  • Christine Girard OLY
Mali
  • Kady Kanouté Tounkara OLY
Trinidad & Tobago
  • Mikel Thomas OLY
Mexico
  • Maria Peredo
South Africa
  • Marc Mundell OLY
Spain

Ambassadors by Name

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Christine Girard OLY

Two-time Olympian (2008, 2012), Olympic bronze and gold medalist. Team Canada mentor, Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport Board of Directors member; International Weightlifting Anti-Doping Commission Member. Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy – University of Ottawa (Canada).
“Clean sport is very important to me; both as an athlete who was robbed of my moment atop the Olympic Podium and as a mother to future athletes. We cannot punish our way out of doping. We need a to foster a culture where clean and fair sport is respected by all stakeholders of the world. The best way to achieve this is through education.”

Dr. Kelsey Erickson

Executive Director of Athlete Health and Wellness at USA Cycling. Researcher with over a decade of work dedicated to developing evidence-based anti-doping education interventions and whistleblowing policies and procedures. Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Sport & Exercise Psychology – Leeds Beckett University (UK).
“Sports have always been a huge part of my life and have provided so many incredible memories, relationships and experiences. I want every athlete to have positive memories of sport, but I know doping has left many athletes with negative experiences. I believe clean sport education is critical for protecting and empowering every person – not just athletes – to make informed decisions about substances and to deterring doping. And deterring doping is critical for ensuring positive sport experiences.”

Eric Mackenzie

Former Australian rules footballer with the West Coast Eagles – Australian Football League. Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Strength and Conditioning – Edith Cowan University (Australia). Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Administration degree – Academy of Sport Science and Technology (Switzerland).
“Sport is part of the fabric of society. The athleticism, the heroics, the heartbreak, the memories and stories along with the competition is all genuine and that is why people love it and embrace it. For these stories and competitions to be genuine, sport needs to be free from doping and that is why educating athletes and their entourage is so important.”

Gabriel Zangenfeind

Former high-level basketball referee and referee coach. Sport Integrity expert; formerly IF Relations Manager at WADA and National Federation & Sport Senior Associate at FIBA. Entrepreneur in the Sport, Technology & Innovation sector. MBA diploma with Minors in Project Management & Big Data Analytics – EAE Business School (Spain).
“As ITA Education Ambassadors, we are privileged to engage with athletes - we get to hear their stories & concerns. In return, we intent to spread light on the anti-doping mystery box. It’s refreshing to be part of this dynamic program that strengthens sport by making anti-doping education a two-way street.”

Kady Kanouté Tounkara OLY

Olympian (2008) and co-captain of the Mali basketball team. Ex-professional basketball player; five-time French National Junior Champion. WADA Education Committee Chair. Master Trainer and Steering Committee member – IOC Career+ Program and the International Red Cross Career Development Program for persons with physical disabilities. Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management – Fordham University (USA).
“I felt that it was my duty to contribute to the protection of the well-being of my fellow athletes on and off the field of play while preserving the spirit of sport. I believe education is key, and most deterrent for doping in sport. I also believe that collaboration among stakeholders in anti-doping education is crucial to establish the best customized educational programs for athletes and their support personnel.”

Marc Mundell OLY

Three-time Olympian (2012, 2016 and 2021) and continental record holder – athletics (50km race walk). Marc holds a Master in Human Movement Sciences degree from the University of Pretoria (South Africa), as well as a Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Administration degree from the Academy of Sport Science and Technology (Switzerland).
“I personally experienced the retrospective elation of moving up on the Olympic rankings as a result of several athletes being disqualified for doping offences. As an ITA Ambassador, I hope to educate, influence and dissuade youth from starting down the doping pathway.”

Maria Peredo

Former competitive swimmer and National Team member; Sport communications professional; Brand Manager – European Championships. Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Administration degree – Academy of Sport Science and Technology (Switzerland).
“Clean athletes deserve to stand in their power and have the right to compete without doping, and I feel deeply honoured to be part of this movement for them. Being an ambassador for the anti-doping cause is a gift to my former athlete self, it brings the greatest joy and the hope that I can bring more power to others.”

Mikel Thomas OLY

Three-time Olympian (2008, 2012, 2016) and National record holder – athletics (hurdles). Tokyo 2020 hopeful. Firefighter, NCAA coach, Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Administration degree – Academy of Sport Science and Technology (Switzerland).
”I want to be a part of change, a movement, the future of sport. To not just a fight against doping but to share the passion for Clean Sport. To change the perspective, understanding and exposure of athletes, coaches and supporters while enriching the experience around protecting the sports we love.”

Toby Atkins

Ex-professional cyclist with first-hand experience of whistleblowing in sport. Advocate and educator with the UCI, WADA, IBU and the ITA, with a focus on athlete education and development of educational structures allowing athletes to compete in a safe and fair environment. Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing Management – University of Waikato (New Zealand).
“I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in clean sport education right through my sporting career. Sport has taught me my biggest life lessons and that is exactly why I’m passionate about educating others on clean sport - to enable others to have the same incredible life experience! Sport has the power to unify, educate and empower people like nothing else. Ensuring a safe sporting environment means we can create not only amazing athletes, but amazing people.”

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