The Football Association of Wales (FAW) is proud to reaffirm its commitment to clean sport and is supporting UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD’s) Clean Sport Week campaign for 2026 from 11-17 May.
Clean Sport Week is UKAD’s national awareness campaign championing clean sport, education and Anti-Doping initiatives with sports across the UK.
This year’s theme — Built not bought. 100% me. — is a straightforward message to every athlete at every level. Lasting success comes from hard work, talent and dedication. It cannot be bought, and it should not be risked.
Throughout the week, UKAD will tackle dangerous misinformation about IPEDs, share accurate health information, and highlight the role athletes play as role models for the next generation.
Stand up for clean sport
Gym-goers and young athletes across the UK are increasingly being exposed to misleading content online about IPEDs (Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs) including SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators).
SARMs are not approved for human consumption and are banned in sport. Despite this, they are widely marketed on social media, often to young people and fitness enthusiasts.
This year, Clean Sport Week is shining a light on the risk of IPEDs, and making sure young people know the facts.
UKAD is joined by CIMSPA — the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector workforce — in calling on the fitness industry to help spread that message.
SARMs cause harm
There is growing concern across the sporting and fitness community about the availability and promotion of IPEDs online, particularly SARMs. Young people are among those most likely to encounter this content online, often without the context to recognise it as misleading.
Using these substances risks:
- Real harm to physical health
- A ban from sport
- Lasting damage to an athlete’s reputation and career
A culture of clean sport is essential for the long-term health and wellbeing of athletes.
The FAW encourages everyone across the Welsh football family that would like to learn more about Anti-Doping to sign up to UKAD’s Clean Sport Hub where there are free education courses for athletes, students, coaches and practitioners.
Follow @ukantidoping on social media to see a range of educational and exciting content throughout the week.
To find out more about UKAD’s Clean Sport Week initiative click here.
