Biden administration halts funding to WADA over doping discrepancies
- Concerns arose over the World Anti-Doping Agency's failure to act on positive tests of elite Chinese swimmers.
- The Biden administration is pressing for an external audit and greater accountability within WADA.
- The halt in funding may jeopardize WADA's operations if not resolved before the change in administration.
The Biden administration has decided to hold back the United States' annual payment to the World Anti-Doping Agency in response to serious concerns about the agency's handling of doping cases involving Chinese swimmers. This decision was made public on November 25, 2024, amidst increased scrutiny of WADA's operations following its failure to suspend athletes who tested positive for banned substances. As a result, the administration is calling for heightened accountability and transparency at WADA, demanding an external audit of its processes. The White House also seeks to limit WADA's ability to utilize taxpayer money in lawsuits against American institutions, particularly in light of past actions where WADA targeted U.S. anti-doping authorities with defamation claims. These developments could have significant implications for WADA's future, especially if the current White House does not release the funding before the anticipated transition to President-elect Donald J. Trump, who has previously communicated even stricter views regarding China's doping practices and WADA's operations.