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	The International Tennis Federation (ITF) recently launched a powerful campaign warning young people of the inherent dangers of drug taking in sport. This anti-drug initiative is also organized by the European Tennis Association (ETA) and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association (IWTA), and co-financed by the European Union. ‘Professional tennis has had few problems with drug abuse and it is our intention to continue to keep our sport clean,’ said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti. “We hope that this campaign will reinforce to junior players that drug abuse is a danger to their health. The virtual absence of drugs at the professional level sets a good example for the junior player but sometimes something stronger, like this campaign, is needed to make the point”. This ITF Junior Anti-Doping Campaign recognizes that, in the 21st century, authoritarian messages of previous campaigns are no longer relevant to today’s increasingly streetwise youth culture. Instead of simply stating that taking drugs is bad for you, this campaign will use strong visuals and wording to communicate the physical ramifications of steroid abuse. While recognizing that anabolic steroids are used for legitimate medical purposes, it is also true that they may be abused to give the user a competitive advantage. The ITF Campaign will highlight some of the physical side effects of steroid abuse. In the general population, side effects could include cancer, cardiovascular disease, liver and kidney disease and high blood pressure among others. In males these an also include severe acne, premature balding, testicular atrophy and breast development. In females, steroids have a stark masculinizing effect, resulting in facial hair, smaller breasts, a deeper voice and fewer menstrual cycles. The campaign will include a showcase that will tour a minimum of twelve tournaments in the 2001 European junior tennis calendar as well as a major event on the Wheelchair Tennis circuit. This showcase will provide essentialeducational literature, case studies of sports people who have abused their bodies through doping, and a photo exhibition showing some of the physical deformities resulting from steroid abuse. The showcase will also be backed by outdoor and programme advertising at venues and a pan-European public relations campaign. This is a groundbreaking campaign, which addresses a very real and fastgrowing problem. Educating young people about the dangers of drug abuse at the start of their careers can only be good for the young stars of tomorrow and for sport in general. The following players have lent their support to this ITF Junior Anti-Doping Campaign: Martina Hingis (Switzerland): “Let us work together to keep the misuse of drugs out of sport.” Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil): “The side effects of taking anabolic steroids can be very serious and in some cases fatal. I hope that the ITF campaign will ensure that aspiring young players are aware of the dangers and consequences of taking performance-enhancing drugs.” Alex Corretja (Spain): “I am extremely pleased that the ITF is pursuing this campaign to maintain tennis as a clean sport. Steroid abuse is a very serious issue and a subject about which all young people should be fully educated.” Anna Kournikova (Russia): “This is an important campaign. There are many pressures to win when you start out on the junior circuit. The dangers of taking drugs may not be known to young people and I hope that the ITF campaign will help to change that. Drugs do not have a place in sports.” Monica Seles (USA): “The successful education of young sportsmen and women as to the dangers of drug misuse is very important. I am pleased with the ITF’s initiative which highlights the drastic negative effects of taking performance-enhancing drugs.” Martin McElhatton (President, International Wheelchair Tennis Association): “International Wheelchair Tennis is an integrated part of the ITF and as such I am pleased to see this important programme launched with the inclusion of wheelchair tennis players. It is important that we educate and test our players so that tennis, including wheelchair tennis, is free from drugs.” Home