US government backs decision to withhold Wada payment after Chinese swimmers’ doping case

The American anti-doping agency has been heavily critical of the world body following the incident, which occurred before the Tokyo Olympics

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US anti-doping agency CEO Travis Tygart has been heavily critical of Wada after 23 Chinese swimmers were cleared despite testing positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics. Photo: AP

Published: 6:55am, 9 Jan 2025

The United States Anti-Doping Agency has welcomed the decision of their country’s government to withhold a payment of $3.6 million (HK$28 million) to the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The news comes after it emerged last year that 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine before the Tokyo Olympics were cleared to compete on the basis of a finding by their national anti-doping agency that they had unknowingly ingested the drug via contaminated food.

A statement on Wednesday from USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said: “Today, it was announced that the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has withheld its 2024 dues payment of $3.6 million from the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“USADA fully supports this decision by the White House ONDCP as the only right choice to protect athletes’ rights, accountability, and fair competition.

“Unfortunately, the current Wada leaders left the US with no other option after failing to deliver on several very reasonable requests, such as an independent audit of Wada’s operations, to achieve the transparency and accountability needed to ensure Wada is fit for purpose to protect athletes.

“Since the exposure of Wada’s failed handling of the 23 Chinese swimmers’ positive tests that gave China and its athletes special treatment under the rules, many stakeholders from around the world, including athletes, governments, and National Anti-Doping Agencies, have sought answers, transparency, and accountability from Wada leadership.