Clean sport education booth engages boxing community at World Championships in Liverpool

Over the course of two days, the booth welcomed close to 200 visitors, including athletes, coaches, team doctors, parents and boxing fans.

The initiative was designed to strengthen understanding of anti-doping rules while encouraging open dialogue. Hosted by the ITA Clean Sport Educator Sonja Salomaa, the booth invited visitors to take part in interactive games, made complex topics more accessible and to engage in meaningful conversations between the boxing community and the ITA Educator. Among the themes that drew the most attention were therapeutic use exemptions, understanding the doping control process, informed decision-making on supplement use and the practicalities of managing whereabouts responsibilities as well as hands-on guidance on how to check medications carefully.

Athletes and families warmly welcomed the opportunity to learn. One competitor noted, “This is so important, everyone should be educated on anti-doping.” A parent added: “It’s good that I also have this information so I can support my child fulfill her responsibilities.”

By combining education with interaction, the booth created an open and engaging space where the boxing community could ask questions, clarify rules, and share experiences. The presence of athletes and their support teams alongside families and fans highlighted that clean sport is a shared responsibility across every level of the sport.

The success of the booth underscored World Boxing’s and the ITA’s commitment to protecting athletes’ rights and safeguarding the integrity of the sport. It demonstrated that fair play and integrity are not just principles for the ring, but values that unite the wider boxing community.