The start of the Paris Olympics hasn’t stopped America’s feud with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) from escalating over the past week.
Last week, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) inserted a clause into Salt Lake City’s host contract for the 2034 Winter Olympics that allows IOC the right to withdraw the Games if the “supreme authority” of WADA “is not fully respected.” WADA also said last week that it would take the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to its Independent Compliance Review Committee this month over a 2020 law intended to target international doping conspiracies, another move that could threaten American hosting plans for Los Angeles 2028 and Salt Lake City 2034.
“They’re running scared instead of being transparent and I guess we will see how independent the CRC is or is not,” USADA chief Travis Tygart said of WADA. “The whole system is crumbling under this WADA leadership and athletes deserve better.”
On Tuesday, U.S. lawmakers responded by introducing the “Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act,” which would give the Office of National Drug Control Policy the ability to withhold the federal government’s annual contribution to WADA. The U.S. is supposed to pay WADA $3.62 million this year — the most by any single country — but the money has not been delivered yet.
Maryland senator Chris Van Hollen called the IOC’s last-minute modification of Salt Lake City’s host contract “blackmail and bullying.”
“I think WADA looks really bad here,” said Van Hollen, who’s leading a bipartisan effort to reform the organization. “I don’t think their position looks at all sustainable.”
Last month, World Aquatics confirmed that the U.S. had launched a federal investigation into the 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance in 2021 and still competed at the Tokyo Olympics later that year. A Swiss prosecutor appointed by WADA to review the global anti-doping authority’s handling of the case found that WADA made an “indisputably reasonable” decision not to challenge the contamination conclusion reached by Chinese authorities.
American law enforcement is also examining the Chinese doping controversy under the Rodchenkov Act, which was passed in 2020 to extend U.S. jurisdiction to international sporting competitions featuring American athletes or financial connections.
You’d think Congress would have something better to do with its time. God, I hate politics- especially in an election year. It is all so transparent and demeaning.
Jesse Owen’s story
Honestly, if when a country does blatantly cheat and doesnt even get a slap on the wrist, what’s the point of WADA?
WADA claims it isnt playing politics, but in reality they are neutering themselves by being scared of doing anything.
The counterpoint to this is that without WADA, cheating will become more prevalent. Sure, thats likely true. But if its already getting passed at the Olympics. Why not let WADA collapse and let a new / better version try to find space. WADA isnt free, its sponsored by countries. And if its not actually following their mission, why would anyone continue to give them money.
This does bring a smile to my face
On one hand, WADA has been basically begging for this with agressive politiking against their biggest financial backer.
On the other, what does this possibly accomplish except playing into the narrative spin this is all just cold war style B.S. with no merit?
The lack of tact from all involved in this is hilarious though I do fear some oppurtunist officials will end up doing sonething that causes real harm to sport
I can’t think of a worse solution to anything than getting the US Congress involved
The US House is full of nuts. This isn’t going to help.
To be fair, I’m kinda on their side here?
Dick pound mentioned🙌🏻
What’s a dick pound? Is it somewhat related to a f*ck ton?
I actually laughed out loud
I hope he gets to testify before congress. Just so it’s written officially in the records