"Tucked within the appropriations bill signed by President Donald Trump this week was a provision that withholds the United States' annual dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency until the organization takes steps to address the country's accusations that it's beholden to Chinese influence. The new law, signed by Trump on Tuesday to end a partial government shutdown, states that any U.S. plan to fund WADA must include the results of an audit "to be conducted by external anti-doping experts and experienced independent auditors""
"For months the U.S. government has threatened to withhold its annual $3.6 million in WADA dues. The conflict stems from the revelation that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned substance in 2021 but had not been punished after WADA accepted Chinese officials' explanation that the swimmers had eaten tainted food. WADA, the world's top anti-doping authority, did not report the incident publicly or to its own executive board."
The appropriations law conditions U.S. WADA funding on an external audit by anti-doping experts and independent auditors that demonstrates the agency and its executives are operating consistent with their duties. The U.S. has threatened to withhold its annual $3.6 million WADA dues over concern that WADA accepted Chinese officials' explanation that 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive in 2021 had eaten tainted food and were not punished. WADA did not report that incident publicly or to its executive board. U.S. officials warned they could lead other countries to withdraw from WADA, and the push for greater transparency has bipartisan Congressional support. The ONDCP withheld 2025 dues under Biden, and the Trump administration is continuing the policy.
Read at ESPN.com
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