Tribune News Network
Doha
Anti-Doping Lab Qatar (ADLQ) successfully concluded its tenth annual symposium, ‘Novel Challenges & Biomarkers Discovery’, at the Aspire Academy Auditorium. The three-day event featured a host of international experts in the field of anti-doping, who shared their research and insights into novel challenges and biomarkers discovery.
The symposium’s final day was particularly significant, as it was attended by the Minister of Sports and Youth HE Salah bin Ghanim Al-Ali, who delivered a powerful address. He affirmed Qatar’s support for all international, regional, and local efforts concerned with anti-doping in sports, stressing the importance of promoting a competitive sports environment that is free of doping.
“The success of Qatar in hosting major sporting events, the latest of which was the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar, is an affirmation of the State’s interest in sports and the support of those in charge of it, including the authorities concerned with combating doping in sports in the country, and effective coordination with international bodies,” he said.
The symposium was chaired by Prof Mohammed Al Maadheed, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the ADLQ, director general of the Naufar Rehabilitation Centre and director of the Centre of Metabolism and Inflammation, University College London, UK.
“ADLQ’s annual symposium is a vital event that brings together a diverse range of anti-doping experts from around the world,” said Maadheed.
“It provides a valuable platform for exchanging ideas, discussing new research findings, and exploring innovative solutions to the ongoing challenges of doping in sport.”
The ADLQ annual symposium is an important initiative by the Anti-Doping Lab Qatar, which is dedicated to promoting fair play and integrity in sports through scientific research and analysis. The symposium’s success underscores the commitment of Qatar to leading the global fight against doping in sports and promoting clean and fair competition for all athletes.
This year’s symposium, which was postponed due to the COVID pandemic, is a scientific gathering that coincided with the 10th anniversary of the ADLQ and acted as an evaluation period for the laboratory’s journey over the decade.
The ADLQ has become one of the most prominent international laboratories, boasting a team of distinguished Qatari staff who have benefited from scholarships abroad and accumulated extensive experience. Over half of the specialised scientific staff are Qatari nationals, who have excelled not only in their work at the laboratory but also in conducting exceptional scientific research.
The 10th ADLQ annual symposium brought together several sporting, medical and scientific institutions, including addiction treatment centres, sports medicine hospitals, and anti-doping agencies. The symposium addressed the latest scientific research and use of modern technology in these fields.
Despite being a relatively new facility, the ADLQ has made significant progress in state-of-the-art, internationally accredited laboratory tests and has conducted pioneering scientific research. Its goal is to ensure clean sport and protect the health of the athlete by finding new prohibited doping substances being used in sport, but also going beyond and using these technologies in testing for disease markers, to help develop new treatments and medicines. The laboratory has been recognized and appreciated by the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) for its contribution to the success of the World Cup 2022 Qatar.
During the symposium, laboratory analysis and the latest research findings from around the world were discussed, which is of great interest in light of the significant developments in scientific research. The Qatari laboratory has secured a global position through its pioneering research and its collaboration with other research partners, including a project related to the use of drones to transport anti-doping samples for the first time.
WADA strengthens Qatar’s efforts
Among the highlights of the symposium was the presentation by Professor Olivier Rabin, from the World Anti-Doping Agency, on “WADA’s perspective on biomarker discovery.” He spoke about how WADA has promoted the discovery of biomarkers to reveal the abuse of doping substances since its inception. Professor Rabin also discussed the Athlete’s Biological Passport, which provides a framework for application of biomarkers to infer the use of prohibited substances or methods.
The symposium featured a range of presentations and panel discussions, including one bringing in the opinion of athletes, along with that of experts from different countries and fields. Some of the notable speakers were Professor David Lomas, Professor David Abraham, and Dr. Markella Ponticos from University College London, Professor David Mottram from Liverpool John Moores University, Professor Amine Benyamina from Université Paris Saclay, Professor Jordi Segura from IMIM-Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Professor Francesco Botrè from Laboratorio Antidoping, Federazione Medico Sportiva Italiana, Dr. Rosa Ventura from the Catalonian Antidoping Laboratory, Doping Control Research Group, Fundació IMIM and Professor Peter Van Eenoo from the University of Ghent.
The symposium was organised by ADLQ, in collaboration with Aspetar Hospital and Naufar, and witnessed unparalleled success over three days, with the participation of local and international experts. It provided a platform for experts to share their knowledge and insights on the latest trends and developments in anti-doping research, helping to promote a clean and fair sporting environment for all athletes.
