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WADA Takes USADA to Compliance Review, Threatening Future Olympic Hosting

PARIS (Reuters) – The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is set to present a case against the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to the Independent Compliance Review Committee next month. This unprecedented move could have significant repercussions for the United States’ ability to host upcoming Olympic events, particularly the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

The dispute originates from a controversial case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who returned positive tests for the banned substance trimetazidine in 2021. Reports surfaced earlier this year by the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD, revealing that these athletes had competed in the Tokyo Olympics despite the positive results.

WADA confirmed the positive tests but accepted a Chinese investigation’s conclusion that the swimmers’ results were caused by contamination from their hotel kitchen. The incident was not disclosed publicly until later, contributing to rising tensions between WADA and USADA.

This situation marks the first time WADA has escalated a dispute with the U.S. anti-doping body to the Independent Compliance Review Court (CRC). The implications of such an action are massive, given the influence the U.S. holds in international sports due to its commercial power. Compliance with anti-doping regulations is mandatory for any nation wishing to host or participate in international sporting events. Should the CRC rule against USADA, it could lead to the United States being barred from hosting the Olympics.

Travis Tygart, the head of USADA, has accused WADA of attempting to cover up the events surrounding the positive tests for self-preservation. A U.S. House of Representatives committee has also called for an investigation by the Department of Justice concerning the swimmers involved, in light of the upcoming Paris Olympics.

American law enforcement is now reportedly looking into the issue, potentially applying the Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act in their inquiries. This legislation, established in 2020, allows for criminal prosecution of those involved in significant doping violations, extending U.S. jurisdiction to international competitions associated with American athletes or financial interests.

World Aquatics has acknowledged that its executive director, Nowicki, has been subpoenaed by the U.S. government to testify about the handling of the case involving the Chinese swimmers.

In recent statements, WADA’s chief, Witold Banka, has expressed concerns about the unilateral approach taken by the United States towards anti-doping policies, suggesting it may undermine the overall integrity of international standards. In contrast, USADA has characterized WADA’s move as retaliatory, with Tygart emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in doping-related matters.

Tygart remarked, “They’re (WADA) running scared instead of being transparent and I guess we will see how independent the CRC is or is not. The whole system is crumbling under this WADA leadership and clean athletes deserve better.” However, an independent Swiss investigation concluded that WADA had not mishandled the situation and that there was no evidence of favoritism or cover-up.

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