PV Sindhu, Michelle Li appointed ambassadors for IOC’s ‘Believe in Sport’ campaign


PV Sindhu, Michelle Li appointed ambassadors for IOC’s ‘Believe in Sport’ campaign

PV Sindhu and Michelle Li

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Saturday announced the appointment of PV Sindhu as an athlete ambassador for the International Olympic Committee‘s (IOC) ‘Believe in Sport’ campaign. The ace Indian shuttle along with Canada’s Michelle Li has been nominated for the role.

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Sindhu and Li are set to work alongside other ambassadors from around the globe to raise awareness on the topic of competition manipulation. The duo has been global ambassadors for BWF’s ‘i am badminton’ campaign since April 2020. Protecting honest athletes and keeping sport fair is a top priority for the Olympic Movement.

“Together we are stronger,” PV Sindhu

PV Sindhu

World champion and Rio Olympics silver medallist PV Sindhu is excited for the new responsibility. She asserted the importance of playing the sport sans manipulation and feels that the athletes should understand the value of playing the game the way it is intended to.

It is an honour to be nominated by the IOC as an athlete ambassador. I stand alongside my fellow athletes in the fight against any form of cheating or competition manipulation. Together we are stronger,” Sindhu following the appointment.

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Yes, this honour also means huge responsibility and gives us a platform to tell the world about the importance of playing any sport in the true spirit,” she said. “Any sport has to be clean and devoid of any dubious means, no matter whether you win or lose. Being athletes we understand and know the value of sport being played the way it should be.

BWF Secretary General Thomas Lund said: “Competition manipulation has become an increasingly global concern and protecting honest players is a top priority for the BWF. By joining forces with the IOC in nominating two of our most popular players, Pusarla and Li as ambassadors, we believe we can have a positive impact in the fight to protect integrity in sport.

The IOC’s ‘Believe in Sport’ campaign was launched in 2018 to raise awareness among athletes, coaches, and officials of the threat of competition manipulation.

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