The move follows WADA's controversial handling of positive doping tests by Chinese swimmers who were later cleared to compete.
The United States has withheld $3.6m in tax payments to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for failing to conduct an independent investigation of activities, the US Anti-Doping Agency said ( USADA).
USADA CEO Travis Tygart said Wednesday that his organization “fully supports this decision” by the White House's Office of National Drug Control Policy “as the only right choice for athletes' rights, accountability and fair competition.” protection”.
WADA said the US government owes a total of $3.625m, with WADA's total operating budget for 2025 at $57.5m.
The move to withhold the 2024 WADA fees comes after WADA controversial treatment of positive doping tests with 23 Chinese swimmers who were later cleared to compete.
“Unfortunately, the current leadership of WADA has left the US with no other choice after failing to deliver on a number of reasonable demands, such as an independent investigation into WADA's operations, to achieve the transparency and accountability that ' needed to ensure that WADA is fit to protect athletes. “, said Tygart.
“Because WADA has failed to enforce the global rules in place to protect the integrity of competition and athletes' rights to fairness, major reform must take place at WADA to ensure this does not happen again.”
In a statement, WADA confirmed the non-payment and noted that the move would keep the US representatives off its executive board for 2025.
“The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirms that it has not received the agreed contribution to WADA's 2024 budget from the United States Government by the December 31, 2024 deadline,” WADA said.
“Under Article 6.6 of the WADA Statutes, representatives of a Public Authority from a country that has not paid its dues are not eligible to sit on the Foundation Board or the Executive Committee. Therefore, on January 1 of each year, any member of the Foundation Board or the Executive Committee who represents a country that has not paid its annual contribution for the previous year will automatically lose their seat.”
An investigator appointed by the global anti-doping body said in July that WADA did not mishandle the case involving Chinese swimming and confirmed those findings in September.
The US has been the largest government contributor to WADA's budget since WADA's inception in 2000, Tygart said, noting that the authority to pay to hold back WADA was established by President Donald Trump in conjunction with the US Congress.
This followed a Russian state-sponsored doping scheme surrounding the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
“As a result of WADA's failure in this sad saga that ultimately saw Russia steal hundreds of athletes from the US and other countries at the highest levels of competition, Congress passed Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, which President Trump signed into law in 2020,” Tygart said.
That prompted legislation that would have allowed the US government to withhold payment from WADA if, in Tygart's words, “they were not acting in a fair, efficient and transparent manner.”
Tygart said the non-payment of fees will not affect US athletes or their right to compete in events around the world.
“The non-payment will have no impact on the current anti-doping program in the USA and USADA will continue to vigorously enforce its WADA Code program until the rights of U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes are protected,” Tygart said.
“We need a strong and independent WADA and we will continue to work with all stakeholders in the US and internationally to ensure that the global system fulfills its clean sport commitment to athletes of the world.”
Tygart also highlighted major events coming to the US in the near future, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
“Now is the time to get WADA right to ensure that these tournaments on US soil are clean, safe and fair competition that we can all have faith and confidence in,” Tygart said.
