The booth, led by IJF Anti-Doping Co-ordinator Andrea Ember and Tamas Vass, IJF Data Protection Officer, serves as a dedicated space for athletes, coaches and delegation members to learn about anti-doping practices, athlete rights and the importance of values-based education in sport.
Throughout the event, athletes are invited to engage directly with the Clean Judo team, explore practical resources on how to check medication, avoid contamination and understand the doping control process, all essential knowledge for many who are experiencing a world-level event for the first time.
Educating the Next Generation
The junior age category represents the future of world judo, with many participants soon moving into senior competition. “Education at this stage is crucial,” says Andrea Ember. “Our goal is to provide these young athletes with the tools and understanding they need to make the right choices throughout their careers.”
Visitors can also take part in the WADA Play True Quiz (available in 49 languages) and access online resources via the ITA Athlete Hub, developed by the International Testing Agency (ITA), the IJF’s partner in delivering anti-doping services.
A Culture of Integrity
The Clean Judo initiative does more than share rules, it promotes the values that define the sport: respect, honesty and accountability. “We want athletes to understand not just how to stay clean but why it matters,” explains Tamas Vass. “Fair play protects everyone. When one person cheats, the whole community is affected.”
Since the beginning of the competition, the booth has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with athletes returning to ask questions and coaches encouraging their judoka to visit. “It’s a win-win situation,” adds Ember. “They learn, they engage and they enjoy the experience. We’re here to help and to keep building trust.”
A Global and Continuous Effort
The Clean Judo programme is part of an ongoing IJF effort to bring education to every continent and age group. In August, the booth was also present at the Cadet World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, an event targeting one of the IJF’s priority age groups in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar in 2026. Educating this generation early helps instil the values of integrity and responsibility before they reach the elite level.
Clean Judo educators have also worked at training camps recently, in Kazakhstan, Hungary and other locations, ensuring awareness extends beyond competition venues.
In Lima, the initiative partnered with the local organising committee and national anti-doping organisation, reinforcing a shared mission to keep judo clean. As the next generation of athletes steps forward, the IJF’s message remains clear: Clean Judo is the foundation of true excellence because integrity, like judo itself, begins on the tatami and lasts a lifetime.
Learn more and access educational tools at cleanjudo.org and the ITA Athlete Hub.