Two out of three participants at Play the Game 2019 rated the conference experience in Colorado Springs as ‘very good’, the top mark in the anonymous survey. The internal evaluation is now available at playthegame.org.

On the final day of Play the Game 2019, participants heard about the Canadian struggle for safe sport and how attempts to establish an independent Pan-Canadian body to oversee safe sport in the country – built on elements and principles known from the establishment of the national anti-doping agency – have stalled due to political hesitation and push back from national sports organisations. Yet the Canadian experience may still serve as an inspiration for other countries.

In the final session of Play the Game 2019, a powerful panel of experts warned that far greater efforts are needed to combat match-fixing.

Aided by social media, athletes are increasingly speaking out against perceived injustices. Political movements like #metoo and #blacklivesmatter have spilled over into the sporting arena. Should athletes enjoy the same freedoms as others to protest?

The two directors of the national anti-doping agencies in Russia and the U.S. discussed the future of anti-doping with the chairman of iNADO and two athlete and media representatives at Play the Game 2019 - but without the presence of WADA.

On the last day of Play the Game 2019, the biennial Play the Game Award was awarded to long-time advocate for protection and support of girls and women in sport, Nancy Hogshead-Makar.

Any potential rivals to Gianni Infantino would need a war chest of at least £2 million to successfully challenge the FIFA president in a future election, said the former chairman of FIFA’s Governance and Review Committee at Play the Game 2019.

After some intriguing days of debate, the Play the Game 2019 delegates went on tour to the Colorado Springs Olympic & Paralympic Training Center.