Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Holds 'World Anti-Doping Day' Ceremony at Seoul Olympic Parktel

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Korea Anti-Doping Agency, will hold the '2025 World Anti-Doping Day (Play True Day) Ceremony' at 10:30 a.m. on the 11th at the Seoul Olympic Parktel.

World Anti-Doping Day is a day designated annually in April by the global sports community to promote clean sports. It was established at the '2013 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Education Conference' and has been observed since 2014.

This year's ceremony will be held under the theme "A Strong Republic of Korea Without Weak Citizens," bringing together athletes, coaches, parents, and various stakeholders to share the meaning of fair competition. In particular, in connection with the '2025 WADA General Assembly' to be held in Busan in December?the first time in Asia?the event will promote the hosting of fair competitions and the spread of sports values in daily life. The WADA General Assembly is the most prestigious meeting in the anti-doping field and is held every six years. The 2025 WADA General Assembly is expected to be attended by WADA President Witold Banka, representatives from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and government officials from various countries.

At this ceremony, there will be the appointment of a new athlete representative, a pledge event to widely promote anti-doping commitment, and awards for contributions to anti-doping efforts. Yoonjong Won, a former national bobsleigh athlete and candidate for the IOC athlete representative, is scheduled to be appointed as the new athlete representative of the Korea Anti-Doping Agency.

The anti-doping pledge event will be attended by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon, gymnast and athlete representative Kim Nara, volleyball queen and athlete representative Kim Yeon-koung, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon, representatives from the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, the Korean Paralympic Committee, and other related organizations. Lee Ki-bok, director of the Gangwon Student Sports Center, who was selected for contributions to anti-doping, will receive a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Before the ceremony, at 10 a.m. on the 18th floor of the Seoul Olympic Parktel, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held for the experiential anti-doping cultural space called the 'Fair Play Ground.' At the 'Fair Play Ground,' student athletes can learn about the dangers of doping and the value of sports through play and hands-on experiences.

Minister Yoo In-chon stated, "The fundamental spirit of sports is 'honesty' and 'fairness,' and eradicating doping in sports requires deep interest and active participation from everyone, including athletes, coaches, sports organizations, parents, and medical professionals." He added, "Since the WADA General Assembly will be held in Busan for the first time in Asia, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will actively support the successful hosting of the assembly."