The Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) took part in the meeting of the Pan-American Regional Anti-Doping Organization (PAN-RADO), held on August 15 in Lima, Peru, as part of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) activities for the countries of the Americas.
RUSADA joined the meeting remotely. RUSADA Director General Veronika Loginova and RUSADA experts addressed representatives of national anti-doping organizations from across the region, as well as other participants in the international anti-doping movement.
One of the central topics of the meeting was sharing of best practises and discussion of current issues in the development of the anti-doping system. During the meeting, RUSADA experts presented the Agency’s experience in anti-doping education, prevention, and international cooperation. They also spoke about the key stages of RUSADA’s reinstatement of WADA Code Compliance status and the Agency’s practise during the relevant procedures.
Evgeny Khristenko, Head of the Special Projects Implementation Division at RUSADA, spoke about educational projects for children and young athletes, including the Young Olympians Forums, which RUSADA has organized jointly with the Russian Olympic Committee since 2018, as well as the Road to the Olympics program, implemented jointly with the International Committee Children of Asia. He emphasized the importance of developing the values of clean sport from an early age.
Valeria Konova, Head of Educational Programs Department at RUSADA, presented the Agency’s anti-doping education system. She spoke about the organization of more than 370 educational events annually, RUSADA’s online platform, which is used by more than 1 million people each year, and the RUSADA Ambassadors project.
Mariia Shustova, RUSADA International Cooperation Specialist, spoke about the development of RUSADA’s international cooperation, the organization of international forums, and the participation of Agency representatives in major international anti-doping events.
“It is important for us to have the opportunity to openly share our experience and discuss current issues with colleagues from other countries. International dialogue and professional cooperation among national anti-doping organizations are an important component of developing an effective system for protecting clean sport,” said RUSADA Director Veronika Loginova.
RUSADA’s participation in the PAN-RADO meeting provided an opportunity to present Russian experience to the professional community, discuss current challenges in the fight against doping, and exchange practices with representatives of anti-doping organizations from the countries of the Americas and other participants in the international sports movement.
An important foundation for further cooperation is the cooperation agreement between RUSADA and PAN-RADO, signed in November. The agreement is aimed at promoting anti-doping education, exchanging experience and knowledge, and implementing joint initiatives. The parties confirmed their interest in strengthening international dialogue and professional cooperation in the field of clean sport protection.
We sincerely thank our colleagues from PAN-RADO for the invitation and the opportunity to take part in the meeting, for the open dialogue and meaningful exchange of experience. We are confident that professional cooperation and further strengthening of international partnerships will contribute to the development of effective approaches to protecting clean sport.
We wish our colleagues continued success in their work, new professional achievements, and fruitful cooperation!