• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

U.S. Government Didn’t Pay 2024 Dues to World Anti-Doping Agency

The government had threatened to rescind funding if WADA didn’t institute reforms.

President Joe Biden celebrated the 2024 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 30, 2024.
Imagn Images

The U.S. government did not pay its annual dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency, a forceful move in an ongoing saga between the oversight group and its largest financial backer.

A spokesperson for WADA confirmed to Front Office Sports that the organization did not receive $3.6 million from the U.S. government by the Dec. 31 deadline. The U.S. would’ve contributed only a small portion to WADA’s $57.5 million budget for 2025, but it’s the largest set of dues from any individual country. The decision means the U.S. cannot have a representative on the WADA Foundation Board or Executive Committee. This rule will impact Rahul Gupta, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, who represents the Americas for the WADA Executive Committee. (Gupta’s ONDCP is the one that usually distributes the funds.)

But the consequences are far more serious than a few million dollars and a seat on a committee.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has fiercely criticized WADA over its handling of the Russian doping scandal toward the end of President Trump’s first term, and more recently the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who WADA allowed to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics despite positive tests. The Department of Justice and FBI launched an investigation into the Chinese swimming scandal. In July, Congress threatened to withhold WADA funding unless reforms were made as a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act. (It wasn’t the first time Congress has introduced a bill about WADA.) In August, Olympic gold medal swimmers Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt testified before Congress against lax anti-doping enforcement.

Apparently still unsatisfied with WADA, the U.S. followed through on its threat at the end of last year.

USADA CEO Travis Tygart said in a statement Wednesday that his group “fully supports” the decision to withhold funds. “Unfortunately, the current WADA leaders left the U.S. with no other option after failing to deliver on several very reasonable requests, such as an independent audit of WADA’s operations, to achieve the transparency and accountability needed to ensure WADA is fit for purpose to protect athletes,” Tygart said.

WADA, in turn, has been a loud critic of the U.S. and its anti-doping agency. For example, when news broke this summer that USADA had been enrolling undercover athletes to track down other users and dealers—and letting the positive-testing informants continue to compete—WADA was enraged. “It is ironic and hypocritical that USADA cries foul when it suspects other Anti-Doping Organizations are not following the rules to the letter while it did not announce doping cases for years and allowed cheats to carry on competing, on the off chance they might help them catch other possible violators,” WADA said in a statement.

The decision to not pay WADA could potentially have big implications for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. For one, an International Olympic Committee official reportedly said a failed payment could threaten U.S. participation in or hosting of the Games, which has spurred concern by the White House that Utah’s bid could be rescinded, The New York Times reported. The second reason is that when the Utah bid was accepted, the IOC added a last-minute clause saying the “supreme authority” of WADA must be upheld—and the international body can “terminate” the bid for a violation of that policy. That addition to the bid is what led lawmakers to introduce the congressional bill about WADA in August.

Tygart doesn’t believe the decision to withhold funds will impact U.S. athletes, now or in the future. “The WADA statutes are crystal clear that the non-payment of voluntary dues does not affect athletes in any way even if the 2024 U.S. payment is never paid,” he said in his statement.

When asked whether the U.S. not paying dues constitutes a violation of WADA’s “supreme authority,” WADA deferred to the IOC, which did not immediately respond to questions.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Adriunna Brown

Business Is Booming for WNBA’s Top Beauty Pros

A network of stylists is shaping how players look, feel, and perform.
Sep 13, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr. (4) carries the football against South Florida Bulls cornerback Ben Knox (1) during the third quarter at Hard Rock Stadium.

NCAA Eliminates Spring Transfer Portal Window

The change is aimed at curbing the system of “unrestricted free agency.”
The South Milwaukee Planet Fitness at 2901 S. Chicago Ave. will relocate to Oak Creek in summer.

‘People Want to Go to the Gym’: Why Fitness M&A Is Surging..

The fitness and gym industry has had strong deal activity in the first half of the year.

$3.8 Billion Commanders Stadium Deal Approved Despite Late Drama

A decisive final vote on the stadium followed some last-minute snags.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Donald Trump
exclusive

Trump’s Unprecedented Super Bowl Visit Cost Secret Service More Than $120K

Trump was the first president to attend the Super Bowl.
September 12, 2025

NFL, Yankees, Cubs Hold Moments of Silence for Charlie Kirk

The Green Bay moment was an NFL decision, a spokesperson told FOS.
September 15, 2025

Trump Push to End Quarterly Earnings Has Major Sports Ramifications

U.S. President Trump proposes moving to semi-annual reporting for public companies.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Michelle Wu
September 12, 2025

Josh Kraft, Son of Patriots Owner, Leaves Boston Mayor Race After First-Round..

He challenged Mayor Wu over her support for White Stadium’s costly renovations.
exclusive
September 10, 2025

Zohran Mamdani Blasts World Cup Ticket Prices: ‘FIFA Is Becoming the Scalper’

The NYC mayoral candidate wants FIFA to cap resale prices at face value.
Connecticut Sun
September 8, 2025

Connecticut Senators Rip WNBA Handling of Sun Sale

The Senators are urging the league to stay out of the negotiations.
Donald Trump
September 6, 2025

Donald Trump Attending US Open As Rolex Guest

USTA asked broadcasters not to show “disruptions or reactions” to Trump’s attendance.