The annual international workshop of the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations (iNADO) was successfully held in Lausanne, Switzerland. The event served as a platform for discussing the latest innovations in anti-doping, sharing best practices, and strengthening international cooperation. Experts, specialists, and researchers from various countries gathered to promote clean sport, ensure a fair competitive environment, and outline future directions for anti-doping efforts.
The Azerbaijan National Anti-Doping Agency (AMADA) was represented at the event by a delegation led by its CEO, Dr. Tahmina Taghi-zada.
One of AMADA’s leading specialists, Gudrat Safarov, delivered a presentation in a key session titled "The Application of Artificial Intelligence in Anti-Doping Education and Athlete Engagement." In his speech, Safarov emphasized the significance of generative AI technologies in anti-doping education. He shared AMADA’s experience in utilizing AI-driven tools—such as interactive chatbots, educational content development, and data analytics—to enhance athlete awareness and engagement effectively.
Alongside Safarov, the session featured other distinguished panelists, including Niko Topias Vuorinen, a Ph.D. candidate at the Norwegian School of Sport Sciences and KU Leuven University, and Thomas Piper, Director of the Cologne Athlete Passport Management Unit at the Cologne Sports University’s Biochemistry Institute. Vuorinen presented philosophical and ethical perspectives on AI applications in anti-doping, highlighting potential ethical challenges. Meanwhile, Piper discussed the role of machine learning algorithms in analyzing Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) data to detect doping violations.
Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on key topics, including updates to the World Anti-Doping Code, testing procedures during competitions, and strategies to enhance athlete participation in anti-doping programs. The event concluded with a strong emphasis on reinforcing international collaboration and defining strategic steps to further promote clean sport across Europe and beyond.
The workshop officially concluded with a keynote speech by iNADO’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Van de Vliet. He underscored the importance of international cooperation and innovative approaches in the fight against doping, emphasizing that continuous dialogue among anti-doping organizations is crucial for responding swiftly and effectively to emerging challenges. Van de Vliet expressed his gratitude to the participants for their active engagement and reaffirmed iNADO’s unwavering commitment to ensuring transparency and integrity in sports worldwide.
