The meeting addressed ongoing cooperation between World Aquatics and WADA in light of recent developments to WADA's regulatory framework. Both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring all athletes are subject to anti-doping testing on an equal, non-discriminatory basis, conducted by independent bodies. Testing on behalf of World Aquatics is carried out by the International Testing Agency.

At the WADA Athletes' Council meeting, discussion turned to the future of sport and the challenges facing athletes worldwide, including the International Olympic Committee's Policy on the Protection of the Female Category in Olympic Sport adopted earlier this year.

President Al Musallam noted that World Aquatics was the first international sporting organisation to establish a clear policy in this area, introduced in 2022 following consultation with athletes and other stakeholders. He reaffirmed World Aquatics' position on the importance of safeguarding fairness and competitive integrity in women's sport, adding that other organisations have since begun adopting similar approaches.

President Al Musallam also addressed what he described as one of the most significant challenges facing sport: growing efforts by private investment entities to acquire influence over sporting organisations and decision-making.

He said World Aquatics welcomes partnership with private investors and commercial entities, but stressed that such cooperation must never come at the expense of the independence, integrity or good governance of sport.

“Sport welcomes investment and commercial partnerships and there can be a place for private equity. But as the custodians of sport and the guarantors of a healthy future for generations of athletes to come, we must also ensure governance that is focused primarily on these things. And where the interests of sport and the athletes are threatened, we will always come to their defence,” President Al Musallam said.