On April 30 of this year, the National Anti-Doping Agency of the Republic of Moldova (ANAD) launched the project “Capacity Building for Learning, Education and Awareness on Nutrition within Anti-Doping Mechanisms (CLEAN Nutrition)”, funded by the Fund for the Elimination of Doping in Sport of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The project represents a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening anti-doping education by promoting safe nutrition and the responsible use of dietary supplements in sport. The event was officially opened by Mr. Sergiu GURIN, State Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Research. He stated: “Dear federation presidents, representatives of other state institutions and students, I greet you on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Research and welcome the intention of the National Anti-Doping Agency to organize this type of roundtable, as nutrition today, in the context of an avalanche of food products, leads to a decline in nutritional culture and, especially among athletes, makes them very vulnerable.”
A welcome message was also delivered by Mr. Gustave MERINO, Director for Social Policies in the Social and Human Sciences Sector of UNESCO and Executive Secretary of the International Convention against Doping in Sport.
During the event, Mr. Nicolae PIATAC, Head of the High-Performance Sport Department within the National Olympic and Sports Committee of the Republic of Moldova, also spoke. He mentioned: “Any meeting, in any field, but especially in sport, is a stimulus to improve the situation in this sector.”
The event benefited from the presence of two remarkable specialists who actively contribute to the development of health and sport in the Republic of Moldova. Mr. Sergiu CEBANU, Doctor Habilitated in Medical Sciences and Head of the Department of Preventive Medicine at the State University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Nicolae Testemițanu”, offered a valuable perspective on the importance of prevention and proper information in the context of nutrition and doping-related risks. He stated: “Thank you for the invitation. For us, this event was very well organized and we were pleasantly surprised by the project that the National Anti-Doping Agency will implement. I would like to emphasize that many things do not start from scratch, as some activities have already been carried out, though in a more fragmented manner. The Medical University has long addressed the issue of athletes’ health, and I personally have worked in the field of sport health. We have a strong collaboration with the National Sports Medicine Center and other institutions.”
Alongside him, Mr. Eugen DUDNIC, PhD and Associate Professor at the Moldova State University within the Institute of Physical Education and Sport, emphasized the role of physical education and the formation of a new generation of athletes guided by ethical principles and clean performance. The event was attended by representatives of the Paralympic Committee, the National Olympic and Sports Committee of the Republic of Moldova, as well as federations of weightlifting, canoe-kayak, judo, and wrestling, demonstrating shared interest and commitment to promoting the values of clean sport and education in sports nutrition.
Further on, ANAD Director, Dr. Artiom JUCOV, presented the objectives and components of the CLEAN Nutrition project. Its main goal is to strengthen ANAD’s institutional capacity through the development and implementation of a comprehensive educational framework focused on the safe use of dietary supplements and the promotion of clean sport practices, in line with international anti-doping standards. The project aims to provide athletes, sports physicians, and coaches with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions based on responsibility and integrity.
The initiative addresses key national challenges, such as the low level of awareness regarding the risks of unsafe dietary supplements, the lack of tailored educational resources, and the limited integration of nutrition components into existing anti-doping policies. It also highlights the need to strengthen a professional framework based on ethics and responsibility.
In this context, the project includes the assessment of knowledge levels regarding supplement use in sport, the development of a practical guide for their safe use, and the integration of nutrition education into existing anti-doping programs. It also aims to strengthen cooperation between ANAD and national sports federations, as well as alignment with European and international best practices.
The implementation of the CLEAN Nutrition project will contribute to increasing awareness within the sports community, developing accessible and relevant educational resources, and reducing the risk of unintentional doping. At the same time, the initiative will support the consolidation of a clean sport culture in the Republic of Moldova and strengthen institutional capacity in the anti-doping field. During the event, ANAD awarded certificates of appreciation to Mr. Sergiu GURIN for his support in aligning the project with national education and sport policies, as well as for his contribution to integrating its outcomes into national anti-doping strategies. His active involvement, professionalism, and openness in promoting initiatives dedicated to education, sports ethics, and a healthy lifestyle were particularly appreciated.
Thanks were also extended to sports federations and their representatives, including Mr. Nicolae PIATAC and Mr. Dumitru PRODAN, for their effective cooperation, logistical support, and active involvement in the educational activities coordinated by ANAD. Through their efforts, they significantly contribute to promoting the values of clean sport and to developing a responsible sporting environment.
In conclusion, the ANAD Director invites all partners involved in this project to actively support the objectives of CLEAN Nutrition and to become promoters of safe and responsible nutrition in sport. Through proper information, conscious choices, and collaboration, we can contribute to building a sporting environment based on integrity, health, and authentic performance.
CLEAN Nutrition means more than a project — it is a shared commitment to clean sport, where every decision matters.
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