Forrester Osei at the WADA Conference: “Education remains central to this process”
An important IWF delegation was this week in Busan (KOR) for the sixth WADA Conference, the most important gathering of the World Anti-Doping Agency and its stakeholders. Our International Federation was represented by President Mohammed Jalood, General Secretary José Quiñones, and Athletes Commission Chair Forrester Osei.
On behalf of the IWF, Mr Osei was invited to make a short presentation at the Conference, in which he highlighted the progress and intense work our International Federation is doing in the fight against doping.
From left to right: Forrester Osei (IWF Athletes Commission Chair), Mohammed Jalood (IWF President), and José Quiñones (IWF General Secretary)
“Over the past few years, we have worked hard to rebuild trust, strengthen integrity, and place athletes at the centre of everything we do. These changes were not only necessary – but they were also essential for the future of our sport and for our continued presence on the Olympic programme. Our reforms have been guided by one clear principle: full alignment with the World Anti-Doping Code and its International Standards,” considered the IWF Athletes Commission Chair.
Mr Osei also recalled the importance of the partnership with the International Testing Agency (ITA): “In pursuit of this, the IWF has delegated its entire anti-doping program to the ITA, ensuring the independence, professionalism, and transparency of all testing and results management activities.”
Mr Jalood and Mr Quiñones in front of a poster displaying Cyrille Tchatchet, IWF Athletes Commission Member and WADA Athletes Council Member
He concluded by saying that education should continue being the main pillar of this strategy: “Education remains central to this process. In cooperation with WADA, the International Testing Agency, and our National Federations, we have developed a comprehensive Education Strategy that focuses not only on compliance, but on values. Our aim is to empower athletes to make informed choices, to understand their rights and responsibilities, and to become advocates for clean sport within their own communities. These reforms have yielded measurable progress: stronger testing programs, greater transparency in results management, and growing confidence among athletes who value a level playing field.”
Mr Quiñones and Mr Osei with Mr Kofi Adams (Minister of Sports and Recreation of the Republic of Ghana)
At the end of the Conference, held from December 1-5, the WADA President Witold Banka emphasised the positive outcomes of the gathering, namely the approval of the revised World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards, to be enforced from 2027. “Today’s approval of the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards is the culmination of years of collaborative work and tireless effort from the entire anti-doping and sporting communities. The revised Code and Standards prioritise the human rights of athletes, especially minors and other protected persons. They also increase the responsibilities of the entourage and of Anti-Doping Organisations,” said Mr Banka.
