Here's to all the kids and athletes who dream! A message from clean sports delivered by sports leaders from all over the world gathered in Busan (Busan WADA General Assembly Ground Broadcasting)

Dec 04, 2025

Photo courtesy=WADA

'The 6th World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) General Assembly in 2025 opened at BEXCO in Busan for the first time in Asia on the 2nd. Hosted by WADA and organized by Busan Metropolitan City and the Korea Anti-Doping Commission (KADA), this general meeting is the largest international conference in the sports sector to be held every six years. More than 2,000 people from 163 countries participated in the general meeting, which will be held from the 2nd to the 5th. The meeting will finalize the revision of the 「World Anti-Doping Code」 and the"International Standards" for implementation, which must be observed by all international sports organizations, national anti-doping organizations, and the global sports community for six years from 2027. WADA President Witold Vanka, IOC President Kirsty Coventry, IOC Honorary Chairman Thomas Bach, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young, IOC President Yoo Seung Min (former IOC member), World Badminton Federation President Kuning Patama Riswatraccoon, World Wrestling Federation President Nenad Larovich, International Federation of Riding Federation President David Lapatien, International Coordinating Federation President Jean-Christophe Roland, International Table Tennis Federation President Petra Søring, 20 IOC members and a gold medalist in hammer throwing' The opening ceremony was followed by a strong anti-doping message from clean sports leaders for fair sports. .

Photo courtesy=WADA

WADA President Witold Vanka, a former Polish sports minister, said in his opening remarks "Before entering sports administration and politics, he was an ordinary athlete who played for Poland in the 400 m. At that time, I've kept the coach's words all my life that 'It's better to cross the finish line than to win with doping at the end"This truth formed my philosophy about sports. A player's value lies in honesty, not in medals. Clean sport is not only about fair competition, but also about persistence, humility and honesty, and it is about dignity." The chairman then continued to make intense remarks that seemed to target the controversial 'Enhanced Contest' which was recently a drug-cultivating contest. "Doping today is a complex problem involving cutting-edge chemistry, sophisticated technology, illegal experimentation, organized crime, and the global black market. Even now, talented teenage players are suffering from temptation and pressure"After pointing out the reality, "we must be stronger than this seductive force. It is necessary to boldly invest in scientific research, investigation network construction, and education to lead them to clean competition, and a global network to dismantle the criminal investigation network is also needed. Education is needed before players make irreversible mistakes. Above all, unity is essential.'"Test love has recently led some voices to choose confrontation over cooperation, and only themselves are acting as if they are honest, as if only their state or institution is superior to others. WADA treats all athletes, organizations, and institutions equally, and no country is superior in doping, nor is there a moral hierarchy. One group can't even have an answer. It is clear that doping is not a matter of a country or an individual, but a joint task of the world." "Our responsibility is to protect all athletes, from the strongest sporting countries to the weakest, to the least resourced. Fairness is only meaningful when it applies to everyone" and will set our priorities at tomorrow's meeting. The world is full of conflict, division, war, and uncertainty, and unity is becoming increasingly fragile.Especially in such a world, sports are a source of hope that brings people together beyond borders, culture, and beliefs. It should be a clean, honest and fair sport, not just a sport. It is a sport that allows all countries and children to dream without fear and without compromise. We must keep that hope with courage and keep dreams born around the world, from dusty tracks to frozen links. With this responsibility, we must unite across borders and ideologies," he stressed. "No matter what threat comes, clean sporting values are eternal, honesty is more than deception, courage is more short-cut, and unity is stronger than self. The world needs that hope more than ever. The clean sports spirit we respect in Busan is stronger than anything else. We shall not be swayed by any threat." "Tonight we will fight together for the athletes, for fairness, for every step forward honestly on the tracks and on the field, on the court, on the links around the world. For all the children and athletes who dream, we will stand up as one."

Photo courtesy=WADA

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-young, who took the podium for the welcoming speech, added "Busan is a wonderful city with various international competitions and a hot civic sports culture" It is very meaningful to discuss the future of fair sports here." "Sports is a world where record and honesty, passion and dedication meet. The stadium is a place where fairness is tested, honesty is proved, and human excellence is revealed. IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who is here today, said 'When we invest in sports, we invest in people after all. Investing in potential, belonging, and hope, he said. Hong Seok-man, a gold medalist in wheelchair track and field at the Beijing Paralympics and a member of the Korean Anti-Doping Commission, also said, `It is fair competition without doping to make sports feel the joy and joy fully.'After quoting ", he stressed that "the fact that we competed honestly is the greatest pride in itself.' "The most precious values that sports must uphold are transparency, honesty and moral standards. The goal we pursue together is clear. A clean sport without doping, a fair game in which results are determined only by honest sweat and effort, and a sports environment trusted by future generations. "The standard we will discuss at this Busan General Assembly is the tradition that tomorrow's young players will inherit" What we leave behind is not a rulebook, but an ethical legacy that will continue across generations. The experience and wisdom of all of us will be an important milestone in light of the future of the sport."

Photo courtesy=WADA

Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon, who took the stage as the representative of the host city, said, `This WADA General Assembly in Busan for the first time in Asia has a special meaning.' The Busan Declaration will present a new direction for global anti-doping conventions and international standards. I am so happy and honored that it has become a historical stage." "Busan is a city that has continued to love sports for generations. It has grown to become the center of international sports by playing the 88 Seoul Olympics rowing, yacht competition, Busan Asian Games, FIFA Korea-Japan World Cup, table tennis, and yacht events. In a city with all four major professional sports clubs and a city where citizens participate in daily sports more than 80%, the spirit of fair play is melted in the daily lives of Busan citizens. I will do my best to make all sports competitions in Busan fair and clean."

Chairman Yang Yoon-joon, who took the podium as the representative of the Korea Anti-Doping Commission (KADA), which hosted the general meeting in Busan for the first time in Asia, said, `Since WADA was founded, we have been working tirelessly to create a fair sports environment together. This general meeting is not just an international conference discussing the revision of the rules, but also a meaningful place for 2,000 key stakeholders from around the world to come together to share their will to protect the true values of sports. Athletes, government officials, international sports organizations, national anti-doping organizations, WADA certified analysts, and anti-doping researchers will join together to strengthen continued cooperation for clean sports protection. "This general meeting will be an important platform to establish 2027 World Anti-Doping Covenant and international standards, discuss effective anti-doping policies, and further strengthen global anti-doping governance." We will discuss the challenges of responding to new doping materials and methods, strengthening international cooperation, and establishing innovative doping prevention and doping management governance using digital technology." "Korea Anti-Doping Commission will actively participate in these global challenges and continue to cooperate to strengthen anti-doping networks in Asia." conveyed his will.

Kirsty Coventry, the IOC president who is the first African woman to head the Olympic swimming legend and the first African woman in IOC history to take the podium, said, `As a former athlete, I believe that the athlete next to me is doing my best as well as I am. He expressed his absolute commitment to clean sports, saying it is the power that makes sports 'magic' and unites everyone. "We all have the same passion. They have the same goal of protecting their players and making their dreams come true"But it's never easy. New technologies, new challenges are coming in.' She emphasized the unity and unity of sports communities around the world. "Trust is solidified when all partners adhere to clean sports protocols. But if someone doesn't comply, the entire community becomes vulnerable. Only trust based on mutual respect and mutual responsibility can be kept clean sports.' "The Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will be held soon. This is my first Olympics since my term began. We will bring out the trust and inspiration of the audience through a clean game. The most important thing is the unity and honesty of our community. Let's protect the future of sports at the Milan Winter Olympics. When we work together, we can make substantial progress." "Many discussions on new doping rules are being conducted open and cooperative. Players from all over the world spoke out through the committee and made meaningful progress based on the feedback. He stressed the need for stronger player safety and player protection. "In some cases, athletes are not solely responsible for doping incidents. It's not just a matter of fairness, it's a matter of player safety, and it's also at a crossroads of life and death. If athletes are under pressure related to doping, they should be brave and speak out. In the case of a doctor involved in a doping case, the doctor should be completely excluded. Doctors involved in doping often practice medical treatment without problems, which is unacceptable. It is a wrong message for players, parents, and society. Government, officials must take substantive action. We need to create an environment where the players can be trusted" he urged. "The cooperation of the global community is needed to ensure that our athletes can focus safely and freely on sports. Sometimes this unity falters. The moment we divide, blame others, and shake our will, eventually the doping people benefit. We must unite to protect clean sports. This is the most important thing. As a global anti-doping community, we must go in one direction together. We must defend the rights and values of clean sports for our athletes who rely on us. Our juniors and the next generation of players are watching us. For athletes who believe in the value of sport, we must live up to this promise" he stressed.

Former Athens Olympic hammer throw gold medalist 'WADA Executive Committee'Koji Murofushi, a senior adviser to Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Science (former head of the Japanese Sports Agency), also took the podium to emphasize strong solidarity for anti-doping. "Doping technology continues to develop and the burden on the players is increasing. We must unite and move forward," he said, emphasizing the efforts of the government. "Governments are committed to clean sports, but the world is facing complex challenges. To overcome new challenges such as cross-border drug movement and AI drug development, an innovative approach across borders is needed, he argued. "The Anti-Doping Commission of Japan has signed an agreement with the Japanese Pharmaceutical Association to take anti-doping measures for the entire supply chain. Drugs should not be used for purposes other than the original purpose, to improve performance, but to protect not only athletes but also citizens participating in daily sports." Above all, education is a powerful shield. Defending clean sports is protecting young people from harmful environments, pressures, and wrong shortcuts and protecting the dreams of future athletes. Sport is a public good and a public good. We need our responsibility to protect this. Budget and financial resources are limited, but investment in clean sports should be recognized as investing in value." "Clean sport is about protecting hope, trust, and human potential. Let's keep a clean and fair sport. Let's protect the future of sports together."

Chinese short track star-turned-WADA Vice Chairman Yang Yang also spoke out for anti-doping and clean sports. "I fully agree with IOC President Coventry. Under the leadership of the chairman, we will continue the war on doping as an original team." Vice Chairman Yang Yang said, `It remains a good memory to compete with the world's best Korean short track speed skater when I was active,' adding, `The passion I witnessed as an athlete led the way for a fair competition, anti-doping administrator.' "I respected Olympic heroes when I was an athlete, and I wanted to be respected like them. True respect comes not from medals, but from protecting sports ethics. Adhering to the rules and keeping sports purity are the core of the sports spirit. The competition ends one day. But moving forward is more than a grade. Respect, honesty, patience, accountability. This is the values we want to defend through anti-doping." "It is an important value not only for athletes but also for growing children. Kids who kick the ball, kids who are new to skating, if they want to play clean sports of the future, they need to plant seeds now. That's why education is important. Education is not just a program but a culture. You must continue to teach, emphasize, and continue to support. Through education, the younger generation learns more than medals. Learn the power to resist temptation. The first meeting with the anti-doping system should be initiated by educators, not by doping agents" he insisted. "Young athletes are the future of our sport. We must do everything we can to protect them. The honesty of sports is what we create together in cooperation and unity. Here in Busan, he encouraged young players to express their willingness to help them protect the values of sports no matter how much the world changes." .

The last stage was Kim Yeon-koung, who is proud of Korea as the "World Class Volleyball Empress". Kim Yeon-koung, who held a mentoring session for Gyeongnam Girls' Middle School volleyball juniors at the Busan General Assembly, said, `It is very special that this general meeting will be held for the first time in Asia in Busan, where we have been on numerous international stages in the history of Korean sports. It is a proud achievement that has shown the international status and capabilities of Busan, a global hub city, and an important turning point to play a new role in the field of anti-doping." It is our responsibility and mission to protect our players from doping and to create an environment where everyone can play fairly. As an athlete, I've also had a lot of doping tests and I've always been careful about everything that goes into my body"Korea has been striving to educate its players to defend themselves. Customized education for each age group is basic, and it is increasing concentration and satisfaction through two-way communication education in the form of experience, away from the method of sitting and listening classes." "An online platform that enables students to take classes anytime, anywhere, and a mentoring program with athletes commissioners, including myself, delivers anti-doping messages with experience and sincerity in the field."Korea considers education not just an obligation but a key means of protecting athletes and spreading the culture of fair play.", he introduced. `Anti-doping is a task that should be carried out together by the global sports community, not by a single individual or group,' he said. `This General Assembly is a place of global commitment to a doping-free sport, and it is also a meaningful opportunity for me to deeply learn and reflect on global anti-doping regulations and international standards.'

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.