US Olympic athletes are expressing deep frustration with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt addressed a House subcommittee, sharing their dismay over WADA’s handling of doping violations by Chinese swimmers before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Despite 23 Chinese athletes testing positive for a banned heart medication, they were allowed to compete, with five winning medals, including three golds. Schmitt, whose relay team finished second to China, voiced concerns about fair competition, while Phelps criticized WADA’s consistent shortcomings in enforcing anti-doping policies globally.
Concerns over WADA’s integrity extend beyond the Chinese swimmers’ case. The doping regulator’s acceptance of Chinese authorities’ explanation—that the banned substance was ingested through contaminated food—has faced scrutiny. US Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart called the explanation “outrageous,” emphasizing the need for accountability. Restrictions from the Covid-19 pandemic supposedly hindered a thorough investigation, adding to the skepticism. WADA President Witold Bańka, in response, denied any bias or inappropriate actions on the agency’s part, attributing criticism to geopolitical tensions between China and the US.
Financial aspects also fuel this controversy. The US, contributing more funds to WADA than any other country, is calling for reforms. Lawmakers are advocating that future US funding to WADA should be conditional on substantive changes within the agency. Tygart’s testimony highlighted the disparity in contributions, with China excessively funding WADA beyond its required dues. Lawmakers from both parties expressed support for reevaluating funding, arguing that current financial contributions are not yielding the intended outcomes.
