South Korea celebrates: "WADA's anti-doping personnel's expertise and capabilities have been recognized by the international community." Kwon Jeong-ah, WADA·Kim Nara, joins ITA, an "international organization in the anti-doping field."

*This content was translated by AI.

South Korean doping prevention experts have achieved a remarkable breakthrough by advancing to the global stage.

The Korean Anti-Doping Agency (KADA), under Chairman Yang Yoon-jun, announced on the 16th that Kwon Jeong-ah, Director of the International Cooperation Department, was elected as Vice-Chair of the NADO Expert Advisory Group (NADO EAG), an advisory body of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Additionally, Kim Nara Seon Su-wi (Director) was appointed as an Education Ambassador for the International Testing Agency (ITA), marking a series of achievements in advancing into international organizations.

NADO EAG is a key body that advises WADA on its policies and major issues, representing national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) worldwide. It is composed of 10 Myeong Ui (Rep.) elected by continent. In particular, the Koo Seong-doe-neun (Chairman) delegation, consisting of the chair and vice-chair, plays a crucial role in the international anti-doping policy-making process by participating in the WADA Council.

Through this election of the vice-chairperson, Kwon Jeong-a (Director) is set to represent NADO for three years from 2026 to 2028, directly participate in WADA's decision-making process, and actively reflect the views of Korea and the Asian region in the formulation of global anti-doping policies.

KADA has expanded its leading role in the international anti-doping field by annually hosting international seminars on anti-doping in the Asian region, preparing to host the 2025 WADA General Assembly in Busan, and promoting educational and cooperative initiatives. The election of the vice-chairperson is also evaluated as a result of these sustained international cooperation activities.

Kwon Jeong-a (Director) said, "I feel a heavy sense of responsibility for taking on an important role representing NADO," and added, "I will contribute to creating a fair and transparent sports environment based on cooperation with the international community."

The International Testing Agency (ITA) is a non-profit international organization that operates and supports independent anti-doping programs for international federations (IFs) and major event organizing committees (MEOs), with its headquarters located in Lausanne, Switzerland.

The ITA Education Ambassadors consist of anti-doping experts from diverse backgrounds, including former athletes. Currently, about 25 ambassadors are active worldwide. Among them, only two hold Asian nationality. This is particularly significant as Kim Nara of KADA Seon Su-wi (Director) was the first to be appointed in Northeast Asia.

Kim Na-ra (Chairman) is a former national gymnast who holds the qualification of an International Doping Control Officer (IDCO). As an expert in the field of doping prevention, they have carried out doping control and educational activities at major international competitions, including the Olympic Games and the Asian Games.

Notably, it participated in a WADA-led athlete engagement anti-doping education program during the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, delivering training to athletes and officials. It also holds experience in international competition-based education, including participation in on-site training in collaboration with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) at the 2025 Harbin Winter Asian Games.

Kim Na-ra (Chairman), appointed as an ITA Education Ambassador, is scheduled to conduct clean sports education for athletes and officials at international competitions, including individual world championships, and to participate in educational and international cooperation activities aimed at raising awareness of doping prevention.

Kim Na-ra (Chairman) expressed, "Based on my experience as an athlete and in on-site education, I will effectively convey the values of clean sports on the international stage."

KADA emphasized that this achievement is "a great success in which the professionalism and capabilities of South Korea's anti-doping personnel have been recognized by the international community as a result of KADA's continuous efforts in international cooperation and professional talent development."

KADA Secretary General Kim Il-hwan stated, "This deployment of personnel to international organizations such as WADA and ITA is a meaningful achievement demonstrating that South Korea's role in the international sports field is being further strengthened," and added, "Moving forward, KADA will actively support its staff and relevant experts in securing key positions in the anti-doping field on a sustained basis."

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*This content was translated by AI.