World Games winner Marek Leipold talks about contamination as a doping trap at the 2025 journalists' workshop

The National Anti Doping Agency of Germany (NADA Germany) invited journalists to Bonn again this year for its annual workshop for media professionals. The event focused on the topic of ‘contamination as a doping trap’.

Finswimmer and two-time World Games champion Marek Leipold gave participants a personal insight into the athlete's perspective. He reported on his own experiences with the issue and presented precautions that can protect athletes from contamination.

"Contamination poses a real danger to athletes. Our goal is to raise awareness of this issue among both the media and athletes through education and practical formats such as this workshop. The workshop for journalists is important for mutual exchange and gives us the opportunity to prepare complex topics professionally for media coverage," summarises NADA Germany Chairman of the Executive Board Dr Lars Mortsiefer.

Prof Dr Andreas Thomas from the Institute of Biochemistry at the German Sport University Cologne provided the scientific background. He explained current developments in research and presented insights into the work of the Cologne Anti-Doping Laboratory. NADA Germany supplemented this perspective with legal assessments on how to deal with positive cases due to contamination.

The programme was rounded off with clear information on the WADA Prohibited List 2026, strategies for planning doping tests and the preventive use of VR glasses. Participants had the opportunity to try out the VR glasses for themselves and gain an immersive insight into the doping test process.