Memphis Standard

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Chris Van Hollen, along with Representatives John Moolenaar and Raja Krishnamoorthi, have introduced the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act. This legislation aims to grant the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) the authority to withhold U.S. membership dues from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if it fails to ensure fair play in Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The United States is currently withholding funding from WADA following revelations about its involvement in covering up doping by 23 Chinese swimmers before the 2021 Olympics. In response, WADA has threatened to remove the U.S. from its Executive Committee for this action.

Senator Blackburn stated, "Since details of the Chinese doping scandal emerged, the World Anti-Doping Agency has tried to intimidate advocates for fair play at every single turn, and its officials have also stonewalled and lied to Congress." She emphasized that there must be oversight and accountability at WADA.

Senator Van Hollen expressed concern over WADA's transparency issues: "Both our Olympians and the public should have confidence that all athletes competing in the Olympic Games are held to the same standards."

Representative Moolenaar noted that this bipartisan legislation builds on existing measures by providing substantive accountability and reform: "Athletes deserve a fair and level playing field."

Representative Krishnamoorthi added that their act would help enforce anti-doping standards globally: "Our Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act will help free the sports world from performance-enhancing drugs."

The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Richard Blumenthal, and Roger Wicker. It has received endorsements from various organizations including the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Travis Tygart, CEO of USADA, praised this legislative effort: “Athletes can wait no longer for change at WADA... Passage of this legislation will be especially important since the U.S. is hosting many major events over the next decade.”

Joel Rosinbum of Team USA Athletes’ Commission supported these efforts towards meaningful reform: “Fair play is foundation of sport... We need every nation that values fairness to step up.”

Greta Neimanas highlighted past inefficiencies within WADA as reasons for supporting this act: “For far too long, WADA has been inefficient... The ONDCP should be empowered to push for much-needed reforms.”

The proposed legislation allows ONDCP significant leverage over WADA through financial contributions while ensuring governance reforms are implemented effectively.