On October 19, 2026, the National Anti-Doping Agency (ANAD) hosted the third seminar within the framework of the project "Capacity Building for Learning, Education and Awareness on Nutrition in Anti-Doping Mechanisms (CLEAN Nutrition)". The project is funded by the UNESCO Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport and implemented by ANAD Moldova.
This time, 19 athletes from the Taekwondo Federation participated in the training. For taekwondo athletes, nutrition carries a special importance. Competitions are held in weight categories, and the pressure to "make weight" before the weigh-in can push them toward rapid weight loss, diuretics, or "fat-burning" supplements. All of these pose serious risks to both health and athletic careers.
The seminar opened with a presentation of the CLEAN Nutrition project and the role nutrition plays in the fight against doping. Special attention was devoted to body weight control. Participants discussed the dangers of intentional dehydration and drastic dietary restrictions. They also learned why diuretics appear on the Prohibited List as masking agents. The discussion then turned to the safe use of supplements. The athletes learned how supplements can become contaminated, how to check the Prohibited List, how to read label disclosures, and what guarantees certifications offer. The acquired knowledge was immediately put into practice during a hands-on exercise.
Next, the participants addressed nutrition for clean performance, emphasizing the "food first" principle, proper meal planning prior to weigh-in and competition, as well as hydration and recovery. The program also included a session dedicated to anti-doping rules and responsibilities. The provisions of the WADA Code, athletes' rights, the UNESCO Convention, and the procedures of an anti-doping control were explained.
The organizers reiterated that weight-loss and "energy-boosting" supplements are among the products most vulnerable to contamination with stimulants or diuretics not declared on the label. Under the principle of strict liability, the athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance found in their body, regardless of its origin. The message for taekwondo athletes was clear: weight is managed in advance through balanced nutrition and planning, not through quick fixes that can cost health and career.
The sessions were led by Dr. Artiom Jucov, Director of ANAD Moldova; Dr. Tatiana Timercan, national trainer; Lilia Talmațchi, Head of the Anti-Doping Education Department; Eugen Lupușor and Arian Movileanu, Doping Control Officers (DCO) and specialists at ANAD Moldova; and Dr. Marianna Savva, PhD in Educational Sciences, educational activity facilitator, and communication expert.
Following the seminars dedicated to the Tennis and Padel Federation and the Weightlifting Federation, the session with taekwondo athletes continues the series of CLEAN Nutrition educational activities. Through this series, the project aims to strengthen the Moldovan sports community's knowledge regarding safe nutrition and doping prevention.
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#CleanSport #UNESCOAntiDoping #Taekwondo
