Volleyball superstar Kim Yeon Koung placed athlete education at the heart of the global conversation on clean sport as the 6th World Conference on Doping in Sport opened in Busan. The conference, held every six years, is the largest international gathering dedicated to doping prevention and integrity in sport and is being staged in Asia for the first time, with about 2,000 officials from 191 countries attending.
Kim, a former national team captain and one of Korea’s most recognisable athletes, serves on the Korea Anti-Doping Agency’s Athlete Committee and is the promotional ambassador for the event.
During the opening ceremony, she introduced Korea’s experiential anti-doping prevention programme. Her presentation focused on guiding athletes through education and helping them better understand how to protect themselves throughout their careers.
She also stressed that the key to protecting athletes is education. Her message was among the most prominent athlete voices of the day and set a clear tone for the discussions that will continue through the week in Busan.
The opening ceremony featured cultural performances and remarks from government leaders who reiterated South Korea’s commitment to promoting fair play and strengthening education within anti-doping efforts. Beyond the ceremony, delegates will take part in divisional sessions at BEXCO before the conference concludes on 5 December.
Kim’s presence in a leading role has highlighted the growing influence of athletes in shaping global approaches to clean sport. Her emphasis on education reflects a shared belief that long-term progress begins with well-informed and well-supported athletes.
