PRESS RELEASE – August 16, 2024
Unveiling of a second anti-doping bronze monument “Et Purus
Stockholm” – created to honor the Swedish Professor Arne Ljunqqvist and his lifelong work for clean sports and a doping-free society.
Welcome to the Unveiling Ceremony, in the presence of HM King Carl XVI Gustaf and HM Queen Silvia.
Date: Wednesday, September 11th, 2024.
Time: 11.00-12.30 EST
Place: Galärparken (Junibacken),
Royal Djurgården, Stockholm, Sweden
Professor Ljungqvist by Et Purus No 1 in Monaco, unveiled in December 2021 by HSH Prince Albert II. Photo: janajulian.com
PROFESSOR LJUNGQVIST
Still active today at the age of 93, he started his anti-doping career 53 years ago in
Sweden. Since then he has been fighting doping in sports from leading positions in the
major global sports organizations: World Athletics (former IAAF), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA – which he co-founded in 1999). In 2012, he expanded his work by establishing a foundation with the mission to fight the use of doping substances also in society, specifically targeting youth– Professor Arne Ljungqvist Anti Doping Foundation (PALJF).
Professor Arne Ljungqvist:
“I am of course immensely honored and grateful for this
monument. Et Purus touches the world of sports as well as our
society. It is celebrating pure health in all its forms, as well as
carrying a strong statement for winning with excellence – by
playing fair and embracing the truth.”
ET PURUS – THE STORY
On his 80th birthday reception in May 2011, Professor Arne Ljungqvist was awarded a
sculpture idea created to honor his then 40-year global crusade against doping in sports
and in society. It portrays the classic hand gesture ”No 1”, used all over the world by all
cultures, celebrating performance victory. A ring on the index fingertip symbolizes
excellence performed with a clean and doping-free body (the ”window” into an
“inspected and a clean body”). The monument was sculpted by renowned artist Sassona Norton. It was named ”Et Purus” in Latin, meaning “And Clean”. Ten years later, with substantial support by
Fabege and other parties, the first bronze monument was unveiled in Monaco – the
home of World Athletics – by HSH Prince Albert II – Et Purus No 1. Now, the time has
come for Et Purus No 2, in Professor Ljungqvist ́s home city of Stockholm.
The sculpture Et Purus is intended, in a series of 20, to be placed in cities around the
world. As a reminder of the conscious choice to stay away from doping – as a pure and
healthy citizen and as a clean and competitive athlete.
For more information:
Bjorn Bertoft:
Creator and Project Manager Et Purus
bertoft@paljf.com | +46 70-0058 660
Kristina Wiberg:
PA to Professor Arne Ljungqvist and Project Coordinator Et Purus
kristina.wiberg@paljf.com | +46 70-259 61 68
Joséphine Woll:
Fabege, Media coordinator
josephine.woll@fabege.se | +46 73 514 56 00
Websites:
Professor Ljungqvist: www.pureforsure.com
Et Purus (released September 1st): www.etpurus.com
Fabege: www.fabege.se
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