WADA President: Ukraine is Effectively Developing its National Anti-Doping Program

On November 13, WADA President Witold Bańka met in Warsaw with Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Matviy Bidny, and the Director of the National Anti-Doping Center (NADC), Serhiy Popyk.

M. Bidny expressed gratitude to W. Bańka for WADA’s support and solidarity with Ukraine, especially for the WADA President’s initiative to enable doping tests for Ukrainian athletes abroad. Since 2022, over 350 doping samples have been collected by foreign anti-doping organizations, significantly supporting Ukrainian athletes' anti-doping readiness for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

The meeting also covered the current status and future development of Ukraine's anti-doping program, updates on enhancing anti-doping legislation, and the practical work of the National Anti-Doping Center.

“We are pleased with the efforts of the Ukrainian Ministry of Youth and Sports and with NADC's practical steps to implement international anti-doping legislation in your country and their systematic work to counter anti-doping rule violations. Ukraine's national anti-doping organization is currently working effectively and has WADA’s full support,” noted the WADA President.

Discussing the increased state attention to promoting clean sport and fighting doping, M. Bidny emphasized that implementing the national anti-doping program is a priority in forming and executing sports policy in Ukraine.

“We have everything needed for effective anti-doping efforts—the support of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, understanding from the Youth and Sports Committee in the Ukrainian Parliament, adequate funding, and WADA’s support. We are standing firm, developing confidently, and working effectively for the benefit of Ukrainian sports,” emphasized Serhiy Popyk during the meeting.

Let’s work and compete with integrity!