Why is it important for athletes to have a voice? What does it take to speak out on behalf of fellow athletes?

The BIU is today launching its latest campaign, Summer of the Athletes’ Voice, with an exclusive podcast interview with USA’s Clare Egan, a former elite biathlete, who was outspoken about the doping and corruption scandal that afflicted the sport 10 years ago, and has since gone on to work for her country’s State Department.

Pointing to USA’s constitutional guarantee of free speech, Clare says: “Speaking out is in my culture. But it’s also in my nature.” Being elected to the IBU’s Athletes’ Committee with a record number of votes, while still relatively new to biathlon, was a “wake-up call”, making her realise that having a voice in the sport “wasn’t about being the best biathlete.”

She continues: “At first I thought doping was the problem, and then I quickly realised that corruption and inadequate systems for dealing with doping were the real problem.”

Clare goes on to speak about her time on the IBU Executive Board, and how the Biathlon Integrity Unit, launched in 2019, has helped athletes find their voice.

So how should athletes go about speaking out? Organising themselves to act together is key, Clare concludes, saying: “You’re so much stronger together. Speaking out is the second step. Organising is the first step.”

The BIU’s Summer of the Athletes’ Voice campaign aims to encourage athletes to make their voices heard for the good of the sport. It will comprise a series of podcast interviews with athletes and athlete ambassadors, plus blogs, comments and social media posts from athletes, coaches and other experts.

To listen to Clare Egan’s interview in full, click here.