Integrity on the Water: World Rowing U19 Championships Lead by Example

Last week Trakai, Lithuania hosted the World Rowing Under 19 Championships, bringing together some of the most promising young athletes in the sport. Alongside the racing, the International Testing Agency (ITA), in partnership with the International Olympic Committee Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions (PMC), hosted an integrity booth on site. It was part of World Rowing’s continued efforts to support clean and fair competition.

Throughout the event, young rowers stopped by the booth to speak with Anita Hartung, ITA Educator, who walked them through key clean sport topics, such as: the 11 Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs), how to check medications, how to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), and what to expect during the Doping Control Process. The conversations were informal but informative focused on helping athletes feel confident and prepared.

Laura Valle, from the IOC’s PMC Unit, shared her expertise on the risks of competition manipulation. She spoke directly with athletes about what manipulation can look like, why it poses a serious threat to sport, and what steps they can take to protect themselves and their sport.

The booth drew steady interest throughout the 2 days. Athletes were curious, asked great questions, and left with a stronger understanding of the responsibilities that come with competing at a high level.

The races themselves were intense and exciting, with Trakai’s beautiful lakeside setting adding to the atmosphere. But beyond the medals and finishes, it was great to see the rowing community come together to promote integrity and fair play – values that matter just as much as performance.