Swiss sportswear brand On is doubling its commitment to clean sport and athlete well-being through strategic collaborations with two anti-doping organizations: the International Testing Agency (ITA) and the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).
These partnerships, organized under On’s “Athlete Compass Program,” will provide “enhanced anti-doping measures and educational resources to On’s athletes across triathlon and running disciplines to compete with confidence,” said On in a media release.
On’s partnership with the ITA will provide its ambassador triathlon athletes with expanded access to high-level anti-doping controls, building on the ITA’s work with World Triathlon, also giving increased inclusion for On’s triathletes in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP) and supplementary testing. This initiative is coupled with access to complementary anti-doping education through the “On Athlete Compass” program.
On also joined with the AIU, becoming the first sponsor to fund additional athletes into the World Athletics Registered Testing Pool (RTP), giving On’s athletes expanded access to the RTP’s independent anti-doping measures. On will also contribute to the AIU’s broader efforts through the existing Road Running Integrity Program, which includes enhanced testing and education initiatives.
Benjamin Cohen, ITA director general, commented on the partnership: “We applaud On for taking the initiative to ensure its athletes are protected by independent, expert anti-doping programs. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to fostering a clean and fair sporting environment where athletes can compete with confidence.”
Brett Clothier, head of the AIU, stated: “The AIU is delighted to be working with On and views this collaboration as a signal of the company’s commitment to the global anti-doping fight. To have an additional mechanism to expand the testing pool via third-party funding, spearheaded by On, is great news for the sport and a demonstration that integrity is being taken extremely seriously.”
Through the “On Athlete Compass” program and these collaborations with the ITA and AIU, On reported that it is “reinforcing its commitment to athlete welfare and clean sport advocacy. By proactively supporting independent anti-doping efforts across triathlon and running, On is ensuring its athletes have the peace of mind to perform at their best on a level playing field.”
“At On, our commitment to our athletes extends far beyond providing them with the best performance gear,” said Flavio Calligaris, On’s senior director of Athlete Strategy & Partnership. “The ‘On Athlete Compass’ program embodies our holistic approach to athlete support, and the new strategic partnerships with the ITA and AIU are critical cornerstones. By actively investing in robust anti-doping measures and educational resources, we aim to empower our athletes to compete with complete confidence, secure in the knowledge that they are part of a fair and clean sporting landscape.”
Image courtesy On
