Why is Korean sports a "drug-free zone"? The 20-year dedication of KADA, which has guarded its center, was present. A direct look at the opening ceremony of the special exhibition...

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

It is no exaggeration to say that Korean sports are a bona fide "drug-free zone." And the Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA), which has dedicated itself to creating that clean ground, revealed its special footprint on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

On the 11th, KADA held the opening ceremony for the special exhibition, "Clean Sports: The Darkness of Doping and the Light of Fairness," in the first-floor exhibition hall of the main building of the National Library of Korea in Seoul to mark its 20th anniversary.

This exhibition, prepared by KADA to celebrate its 20th anniversary, will be open to the public for 30 days until December 10 at the special exhibition room on the first floor of the main building of the National Library of Korea.

Regarding the purpose of this special exhibition, KADA explained, "It was prepared to commemorate the 20th anniversary of KADA's founding, re-examine the development process of doping control domestically and internationally, and spread public awareness of fair sports values."

As the only anti-doping agency in Korea, KADA conducts anti-doping activities to protect athletes. In particular, it has accumulated achievements in education, promotion, prevention, and international cooperation centered on athletes both domestically and internationally, including hosting the 2025 Busan World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Congress last year and this year's global anti-doping youth camp.

The fact that Korean sports have been firmly evaluated as a "drug-free zone" symbolizing fairness and integrity on the international stage is thanks to the meticulous anti-doping system that KADA has built without wavering over the past 20 years.

At the special exhibition opening ceremony, approximately 50 attendees, including Kim Dae-hyun, Second Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Yang Yun-jun, Chairman of KADA; Nam Yeong-jun, Director of the National Library of Korea; and Olivier Niggli, Secretary General of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), attended to honor the occasion. A docent program for viewing the special exhibition was also held alongside the opening ceremony.

At this opening ceremony, where a large number of experts in the field of international anti-doping were present, it was possible to simultaneously confirm KADA's international standing and the significance of this exhibition.

I visited the special exhibition site directly. The exhibition first focused on the dark side of doping through major incidents, then sequentially highlighted management, and the bright side and changes in fairness.

One can review KADA's key records and the achievements of domestic anti-doping efforts, as well as directly view records of the development history and current status of international anti-doping programs.

The era-based ZONEs also drew attention. "ZONE 1 (Early Period)" featured the history of doping and ancient doping; "ZONE 2 (1980s)" covered Ben Johnson's drug incident during the 1988 Seoul Olympics; "ZONE 3 (2000s)" addressed Lance Armstrong's drug scandal and the introduction of ABP (Athlete Biological Passport); and "ZONE 4 (2010s)" presented the development history of doping scandals and analytical techniques, among others.

Corners where visitors could directly participate and experience also caught the eye. Above all, one can see various doping test kits and equipment with their own eyes.

The fact that the venue is a library is also noteworthy. Regarding this, KADA explained, "This exhibition, co-hosted with the National Library of Korea, utilizes books, records, and audiovisual materials held by the library. By combining the library's capabilities with KADA's expertise, we plan to enhance the exhibition's effect through linked online and offline promotion, positioning it as an excellent case of institutional investor collaboration."

The public can view this special exhibition for free.

People of all ages and genders can examine era-specific doping cases and the components of anti-doping programs, thereby internalizing the development process of sports values such as athlete protection and fair competition.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original