The first meeting of the BRICS Discussion Club was held at RUSADA’s headquarters, bringing together leaders of leading global anti-doping organizations:
- Dr. May Al Jaber, President of the UAE National Anti-Doping Agency (UAE NADA)
- Abdullah Al Ali, Board Member of the UAE NADA
- Wafeekah Begg-Jassiem - Legal Manager of the South African Institute of Drug Free Sport
- Dr. Saul Saucedo, President of the PAN-RADO
- Manuel Villalobos, Executive Manager of the PAN-RADO
- Rodny Montes de Oca Porto, Director of the Havana Anti-Doping Laboratory
- Denis Muzhuzhuhin, Director of the National Anti-Doping Agency of the Republic of Belarus
- Adriana Taboza de Oliveira, President of the Brazilian Doping-Control Authority (ABCD)
- Anthony Ruy Cunha Moreira, Deputy President of the ABCD
The central topic of discussion was anti-doping education—a cornerstone in building a culture of clean sport.
Valeria Konova, Head of the Department for Implementation of Informational and Educational Programs at RUSADA, presented in detail the Agency’s comprehensive system of educational initiatives. The positive assessment from international colleagues served as recognition of the significance and impact of this work. In particular, Dr. May Al Jaber stated:
“I would like to sincerely thank Valeria. The work conducted under your leadership—and with the support and guidance of Veronika—is truly vital for the global anti-doping movement. You are undoubtedly on the right path, and we have much to learn from RUSADA’s approach to education. I look forward eagerly to further practical collaboration in this crucial area.”
Special attention was also given to ethics and independence. Alexander Filatov, RUSADA’s Independent Ethics Officer—in line with WADA’s international standards and best practices—outlined the application of the Agency’s Code of Ethics and mechanisms for engagement with all stakeholders.
RUSADA expresses its gratitude to colleagues for their high appraisal and acknowledgment of its educational programs as exemplary and worthy of replication. Participants particularly noted the systemic nature and depth of RUSADA’s educational and ethical initiatives. For us, this feedback is more than just validation—it affirms RUSADA’s expert leadership in key activity areas aligned with the highest WADA standards. Moreover, we observe a growing demand for practical cooperation: sharing methodologies, joint projects, and integration of our solutions into national anti-doping systems worldwide.
