WADA Talks with Paula Radcliffe

In this edition of WADA Talks, we sit down with long-distance runner and current marathon world record holder, Paula Radcliffe.

A vocal anti-doping supporter for several years, Radcliffe credits the way she was brought up for her strong stance on doping. “I was brought up to stand up for what I believed in, and then it became an integral part of me. I cannot be my best if I am not being true to myself” she says.

At times, actions speak louder than words; which explains why Radcliffe took to wearing a red ribbon during competitions as a way to show her support for blood testing and ensuring progression in anti-doping. At the time, she says, there was very little support from her fellow athletes, and few wanted to be outspoken about doping issues. However, she says, “you can see the climate of how things have changed now.”

Despite the events of the last few years, Radcliffe maintains that she would still encourage young athletes wanting to get into track and field today: “I have a lot of faith that the athletes’ voice is now being listened to like never before” she says “across all things, not just anti-doping.”

WADA Talks sees the agency’s Senior Manager, Media Relations and Communications, Ben Nichols, interviewing leading figures from the athlete community, sport, government and other partners involved in the clean sport movement.

To watch WADA Talks with Paula Radcliffe, and to see other videos from the Agency’s collection, please visit the WADA Talks Playlist on WADA’s YouTube Channel.