Top names from international anti-doping and sport politics soon to meet at Play the Game 2007 in Iceland

Professional cyclist Jörg Jaksche, WADA President Richard W. Pound, UCI President Pat McQuaid and WADA Secretary General David Howman are just a few of the agenda setters that will appear at Play the Game 2007 to discuss the future of cycling and the change of rules in the worldwide anti-doping struggle.

Other experts in doping include Alessandro Donati, renowned doping hunter from Italy, David Walsh, Chief Sports Writer at Sunday Times and author of two books focusing on cycling champion Lance Armstrong, blood doping expert Michael Ashenden from Australia, and professor and author Barrie Houlihan from the UK. 

Programme available
From today, a full programme for Play the Game 2007 is available from the Play the Game 2007 conference website – www.playthegame.org/2007.

Many crucial issues for world sport will be analysed in Iceland by leading experts, among others: corruption in sports organisations, the EU White Paper on sport and its influence on sport autonomy, how children are treated in sport and how new digital media platforms will influence sports reporting.

More than 85 speakers have confirmed their presence, including 

• Gerhard Heiberg , chairman of the Marketing Commission of the International Olympic Committee
• Matthieu Reeb, Secretary General of the Court of Arbitration for Sport 
• Andrew Jennings , renowned English investigative journalist and author
• Marta Santos Pais , Director of UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre
• Magnus Scheving , former world fitness champion and creator of international TV-series LazyTown
• Shaka Hislop , World Cup goalkeeper for Trinidad and Tobago and players’ spokesman

 - not to forget the President of Iceland, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, who will give the official opening speech.

Play the Game 2007 is a unique networking opportunity with its informal, but serious and targeted character. Apart from the speakers, over 200 journalists, researchers, sports officials and other participants will attend this year’s event.

The conference is being organised by Play the Game, with active cooperation from UMFI, the Icelandic Youth Association, which is celebrating its centenary this year.

Danish and Norwegian journalists make donation
Attendees will include the recipients of 20 travel grants donated by the Danish and Norwegian journalists’ unions, and by Play the Game itself. The donations ensure a truly global profile in the lectures and debates about sport and media globalisation. 

Conference discounts available until 30 September
For those wanting to attend but are yet to sign up, discounts of up to approximately 70 euros are available up until close of business on September 30^th.

Additional discounts are also available for speakers, freelancers and students – click here for more information.

We are still accepting abstracts and storylines for Play the Game 2007. If you are interested in submitting an abstract or storyline to be considered for the conference, click here for more information. 

Conference coverage
Icelandic national TV, RUV, will act as host broadcaster, and a group of 45 international multimedia students from the DanishSchool of Journalism will cover conference proceedings online.

To read more about Play the Game 2007 and register for the conference, please visit www.playthegame.org/2007.