The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister: Yoo In-chon) held the '2025 Play True Day' ceremony at the Seoul Olympic Parktel on the 11th at 10:30 a.m. with the Korean Anti-Doping Agency (Chairperson: Lee Young-hee).
The World Anti-Doping Agency General Assembly is the most authoritative meeting in the anti-doping field, held every six years. Participants included WADA Chair Witold Banka, members of the International Olympic Committee, and representatives from various governments.
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Minister Yoo In-chon attended the ceremony and encouraged attendees to join in achieving clean and fair sports while motivating the stakeholders.
The 'Play True Day,' first declared at the '2013 WADA Education Conference,' is a day designated by the global sports community each April since 2014 to promote clean sports.
This year's ceremony focused on the theme 'A Strong Korea Without Weak Citizens,' gathering various stakeholders including athletes, coaches, and parents to share the meaning of fair competition.
In particular, the ceremony promoted the hosting of fair competitions and the spread of sports values in everyday life in connection with the '2025 WADA General Assembly,' which will be held in Busan, Asia's first in December.
The ceremony included the appointment of new athlete representatives, a pledge event to widely disseminate the commitment to anti-doping, and the awarding of individuals who contributed to anti-doping efforts. Won Yun-jong, a former national bobsleigh representative and candidate for the athlete commission of the International Olympic Committee, was appointed as a new athlete representative of the Korean Anti-Doping Agency to protect athletes' rights and actively engage in anti-doping activities.
The anti-doping pledge event was attended by Minister Yoo In-chon, gymnastics national team member Chairperson Kim Na-ra, volleyball star Kim Yeon-koung, Busan Mayor Park Hyung-joon, and representatives from relevant organizations including the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, Korea Sports Council, and the Korean Paralympic Committee. Ministerial commendations were awarded to Lee Gi-bok, head of the Gangwon Student Sports Center, selected as an anti-doping contributor.
Before the ceremony, a groundbreaking ceremony for the experiential anti-doping cultural space 'Fair Play Ground' was held on the 18th floor of the Seoul Olympic Parktel at 10 a.m.
'Fair Play Ground' is planned to be an anti-doping education hub where student athletes learn about the dangers of doping and the values of sports through play and experience. Minister Yoo In-chon also attended the groundbreaking ceremony to support the launch of the country’s first experiential anti-doping cultural space.
Minister Yoo In-chon noted, 'The fundamental spirit of sports is honesty and fairness. It is essential for everyone, including athletes, coaches, sports organizations, parents, and medical professionals, to take a deep interest and actively participate in eradicating doping in sports.' He added, 'As the WADA General Assembly will be held in Busan for the first time in Asia, the Ministry will actively support its successful hosting.'
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