Al-Musallam Emphasizes the Independence of Sports

Hussain Al-Musallam, President of the International Swimming Federation (FINA), visited the headquarters of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in Montreal, Canada, where he met with WADA President Witold Bańka and CEO Olivier Niggli, as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation and joint coordination to protect sport and athletes, and to uphold the principles of integrity and fairness.

The meeting discussed areas of cooperation between the two organizations in light of recent amendments and developments in WADA’s regulatory frameworks and rules.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that all athletes are subjected to anti-doping testing procedures in a fair, equal, and non-discriminatory manner, emphasizing the importance of having testing conducted by independent, neutral, and internationally recognized bodies, thereby enhancing trust, transparency, and justice in the anti-doping system.

Al-Musallam expressed his appreciation to the agency’s leadership for the warm reception, constructive dialogue, and ongoing cooperation in support of clean sport and the protection of athletes.

He stressed that the future of sport must remain athlete-centered, and that sports institutions should be managed according to the principles of independence, integrity, transparency, accountability, fairness, and good governance. He emphasized the federation’s continued constructive collaboration with WADA, athletes, and international sports organizations, to provide a fair, transparent, and sustainable sporting environment that safeguards athletes’ rights and the future of sport.