Al-Musallam discusses safeguarding sport’s independence and integrity with WADA officials

World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam visited the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) headquarters in Montreal on August 19. He met with WADA President Witold Bańka and CEO Olivier Niggli to discuss enhancing cooperation aimed at protecting athletes and upholding integrity in sports.

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The talks focused on cooperation between World Aquatics and WADA, particularly in light of recent changes and developments to WADA’s regulations and governance frameworks.

The central theme of the talks was the collaboration between World Aquatics and WADA, especially considering recent updates to WADA's regulations and governance. Both organizations affirmed their dedication to ensuring that anti-doping tests are conducted fairly and without discrimination. They emphasized the critical role of independent, impartial, and internationally recognized bodies in administering these tests to foster greater confidence, transparency, and fairness within the anti-doping system.

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Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that anti-doping tests are administered fairly and equally to all athletes without discrimination.

Al-Musallam expressed gratitude for the reception and constructive dialogue, highlighting the ongoing partnership in promoting clean sports and safeguarding athletes. He also participated in a WADA Athletes' Council meeting, which featured an open forum on the future of sports and the emerging challenges faced by athletes and the global sporting community. Al-Musallam reaffirmed World Aquatics' dedication to competition policies centered on fairness, integrity, equal opportunities, and the protection of women's sports, noting that many international organizations have adopted similar principles since 2022.

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They also stressed the importance of having independent, impartial, and internationally recognized organizations conduct testing to enhance confidence, transparency, and fairness in the anti-doping system.