Montreal/Denver: The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has renewed its call for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to enhance its testing protocols to better safeguard clean sport in the United States. WADA’s renewed push comes amid growing concerns that athletes are competing in major events without adequate anti-doping checks.
A recent letter from WADA to USADA board chair Tobie Smith, dated last Friday and viewed by Reuters on Monday, highlights that 90% of American professional and collegiate athletes compete outside the coverage of the anti-doping Code. This follows a letter received by WADA in July from 32 national and regional anti-doping organizations across Europe, Asia, and Africa, expressing worries that U.S. athletes are participating in major events like the Olympics and world championships without sufficient pre-competition testing.
WADA President Witold Banka and Director General Olivier Niggli signed the letter, which calls for reforms within the U.S. anti-doping system, particularly concerning collegiate sports. WADA emphasized that these issues need to be addressed urgently, stating, “It is surely time to address these issues that directly concern USADA and U.S. athletes.”
In response, USADA has labeled the letter an “attempt at deflection” ahead of a forthcoming report by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier on the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned substances but were allowed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics. Cottier, appointed by WADA, found no mishandling or favoritism by WADA in the case, though Banka has indicated that Cottier’s report might include recommendations without altering the initial findings.
WADA’s letter also referenced media reports indicating that over 1,000 athletes from more than 100 countries, many of whom were part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), competed in the Paris Olympics. WADA highlighted USADA CEO Travis Tygart’s concerns from a 2020 U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce hearing, where he warned about the potential for “doping vacations” due to the perceived weakness of NCAA’s anti-doping program.
WADA criticized USADA’s current efforts, stating, “It should be hugely concerning for USADA that so many top athletes are competing in a U.S. system that fails to protect their interests, their performances, and, ultimately, their health.” The letter also noted that despite raising these concerns for over a decade, little progress has been made.
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In response, USADA argued that WADA’s criticisms are a diversion from its own failings, particularly regarding the Chinese swimmers’ case. USADA countered, “If WADA leadership bothered looking into all the data, not just the pieces that serve its agenda, it would know that 100% of U.S. NCAA athletes who competed at the Paris Olympic Games were tested by USADA in 2024.”
USADA also emphasized its collaboration with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to improve NCAA’s anti-doping efforts, accusing WADA’s attacks of undermining these initiatives. USADA added, “This latest attack is a perfect example of why U.S. college and pro sports would want nothing to do with WADA.”
