The hatchet will not be buried anytime soon. The United States has not paid its contribution to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for the year 2024. A substantial unpaid amount, estimated at $3,6 million. Not insignificant since the United States is the agency's largest contributor, ahead of Canada and Japan. The trend is not towards appeasement since four elected officials have presented a bill to Congress so that the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) can keep the tap closed.
“Credible governance” or nothing
Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee is behind the bill, which she is carrying with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen and two elected members of the House of Representatives, Republican John Moolenar (Michigan) and Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois). A transpartisan proposal, which will therefore find an echo in the two parties that dominate American political life. The "Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act" consists of charging the ONDCP with a 90-day review of the functioning of WADA.
Does the agency have a “credible and independent model of governance that ensures fair representation of the United States” ? Is it implementing governance reforms, "including an adequate policy on conflicts of interest" ? Does it allow the "independent athletes from the United States and other democratic countries, or their representatives", to have a decision-making role within the committees and working groups that bring the agency to life?
If the study concludes that these conditions are not met, the ONDCP, "in consultation with the appropriate committees of the Congress, may voluntarily withhold up to the full amount of contributions to the World Anti-Doping Agency". Not a good signal for WADA, given that the United States is supposed to pay $3,8 million for 2025, or just over 7% of the body's budget.
The 2034 Olympics as a negotiating lever?
The United States has been keeping up the pressure since 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for contamination shortly before the Tokyo Games, although the handling of the case has not revealed any irregularities according to an independent prosecutor. Faced with this refusal to pay, WADA has threatened to withdraw the United States' seat on its executive committee."The World Anti-Doping Agency has attempted to intimidate fair play advocates, and its officials have also obstructed and lied to Congress, denounces Senator Blackburn on her website. We will not be silenced in our mission to promote fair play in sport. WADA must be subject to real oversight and accountability, and that starts with the passage of this legislation. »
His colleague, Senator Van Hollen, continues: “For too long, we have lacked assurance that all athletes are held to the same standard, due to WADA’s failure to ensure transparency and accountability when it comes to enforcing anti-doping measures. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will help restore confidence that athletes around the world are playing on a level playing field and ensure the integrity of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.” The bill is supported by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), whose chairman, Tyler Tygart, rightly welcomed the funding cut in the name of protecting fairness. « Passage of this legislation will be especially important as the United States will host many major events over the next decade, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”, he points.
American sport is united in this fight, as Joel Rosinbum and Greta Neimanas, members of the Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) Athletes' Commission, have also given their support to this bill. The standoff has begun, and the United States shows no intention of making concessions. How can we get out of it? The IOC will undoubtedly have a role to play, and the identity of its future president will set the tone. David Lappartient raised the subject a few days ago, recalling that the awarding of the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake City was conditional on respect for the authority of the WADA. Certainly a sensitive point, which may end up pushing the USA towards dialogue... but not immediately.
