The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) held its 2025 Annual Symposium in Lausanne, Switzerland, focusing on the theme “Going Further Together.” Nearly 1,000 delegates gathered to discuss collaboration and innovations in the fight against doping. WADA President Witold Bańka emphasized the importance of global partnerships and highlighted recent milestones, such as Muaythai’s inclusion in major sports events and ongoing updates to the World Anti-Doping Code, addressing challenges like contamination cases.
During his keynote speech, Mr. Bańka stated: “The work we all do together is the secret to our success. It is the ongoing cooperation among individuals and organizations that share the same vision of a world where all athletes can participate in doping-free sport.”
The Symposium, aligned with WADA’s 2025-2029 Strategic Plan, featured 15 interactive sessions on diverse topics, including athlete rights, managing contamination cases, and enhancing anti-doping research. Bańka also condemned the proposed Enhanced Games, advocating for athlete safety and doping-free sports. Delegates were encouraged to actively contribute to discussions aimed at advancing the global anti-doping movement.
IFMA was represented by the IFMA Medical Commission Chair, Dr. Erdogan Aydin, who noted that this was his second time attending the WADA Symposium. He highlighted the value of these gatherings in staying updated on the latest innovations and developments by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Dr. Aydin emphasized that this year’s focus was on keeping athletes central and prioritizing education over punishment. He expressed pride in IFMA’s alignment with this strategy, citing the organization’s dedication to hosting extensive workshops and educating athletes at major events on the importance of clean sport.
Pictures taken from WADA’s Press Release: “WADA calls for continued collaboration during 2025 Annual Symposium.”
