• Loading stock data...
Thursday, April 3, 2025
Nominations Are Open for Front Office Sports Honors! Submit Now
Law

Congress Threatens WADA Funding Over Olympic ‘Blackmail’

  • U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill to withhold millions from the World Anti-Doping Agency.
  • The political move comes one week after the IOC threatened the Salt Lake City Games in 2024 over respecting WADA’s authority.
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, the International Olympic Committee made a stunning request that the state of Utah agreed to at the last minute: Respect the “supreme authority” of the World Anti-Doping Agency—or Salt Lake City could lose the Games.

On Tuesday, U.S. lawmakers struck back.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the “Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act,” which would allow the U.S. to withhold its roughly $3.7 million annual payments to WADA—the largest of any one country—until reforms are made.

After reports emerged this spring that WADA permitted dozens of Chinese swimmers to compete despite positive drug tests, Olympic gold medal swimmers Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt testified before Congress last month about what Phelps said were “deeply rooted, systemic problems.”

The New York Times also reported Tuesday that another two athletes tested positive in 2022 but were allowed to continue swimming. Many of the Chinese athletes who tested positive are medal contenders at the Paris Olympics.

The DOJ and FBI launched an investigation into the scandal, a power given to them by the Rodchenkov Act that allows U.S. officials to criminally prosecute international doping cases, which is the likely culprit of the Utah clause. The International Olympic Committee is allowed to rescind Utah’s bid if “the supreme authority of the World Anti-Doping Agency in the fight against doping is not fully respected or if the application of the World Anti-Doping Code is hindered or undermined.”

Who’s Involved?

Rep. John Moolenaar (R., Mich.), a co-sponsor of the bill, said, “This brazen attempt by the IOC and WADA to force Utah to interfere in an investigation would win the gold medal in blackmail.”

Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican, has sponsored a bill against WADA before. She introduced one with nearly an identical name to the Senate in February 2022 that was more targeted at Russian instances of doping. “Our message is simple, we will not be silenced for trying to promote fair play,” she said Tuesday. 

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D., Md.) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D., Ill.) are also co-sponsoring the bill.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 27, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) skates during warm ups before their game against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center at San Jose

Macklin Celebrini and the Sharks Rookies Have Brought Good Vibes to a..

The rookie’s arrival has boosted spirits incongruously high inside the struggling franchise.
ESPN headquarters
exclusive

ESPN Editor Leaves for Ring Mag Amid Cristina Daglas Investigation

Elizabeth Baugh had been at ESPN for nearly a decade.
A view of the FanDuel Sportsbook betting area at Belterra Park Cincinnati.

FanDuel’s PE Backers Fire Back at Founder’s Legal Fight Over 2018 Sale

The legal dispute stems from the 2018 sale of 61% of FanDuel.

Featured Today

Mar 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in the first half Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The Creator Behind the LeBron ‘Glazing’ Trend Sweeping TikTok

FOS spoke to TikTok user OkaySpade who made the original song.
Mar 22, 2025; Providence, RI, USA; McNeese State Cowboys manager Amir Khan before a second round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Amica Mutual Pavilion
April 1, 2025

Inside the 24-Hour NIL March Madness Deals

Some of the most viral partnerships come together overnight.
Seattle Kraken
April 1, 2025

Samantha Holloway Is Seattle’s NHL Present—and Hopeful NBA Future

Samantha Holloway is steering the Kraken and hoping to revive pro hoops.
Brehanna Daniels
March 31, 2025

NASCAR Pit Crew Member Brehanna Daniels Didn’t Know She’d Be a Trailblazer

The first Black female tire changer didn’t know she’d be a trailblazer.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
exclusive

ESPN Is Accused of Harassment, Retaliation in Legal Letter From Exec Editor

Cristina Daglas has been on administrative leave since January.
Juan Soto
March 18, 2025

MLBPA’s NIL Suit Against DraftKings Can Continue, Judge Says

The sportsbook failed to get the case dismissed.
A set of trading cards
March 19, 2025

New Suit Alleges Fanatics ‘Monopoly’ Increased Trading Card Prices 

The suit also names the NBA, NHL, and NFL as defendants.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
Nick Kyrgios reacts to a point against Botic van de Zandschulp in the first set of their first-round match at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Thursday, March 6, 2025.
March 18, 2025

Novak Djokovic’s PTPA Sues Tennis ‘Cartel’

The 163-page lawsuit was filed in three countries and seeks to reshape the sport.
Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) and tight end Trey McBride (85) against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium.
March 14, 2025

Marvin Harrison Jr., Fanatics End 10-Month-Long Legal Battle

Fanatics initially filed the lawsuit last May for breach of contract.
Dec. 18, 1982; New York, NY, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins quarterback David Woodley (16) is pursued by New York Jets defensive end Mark Gastineau (99) at the Orange Bowl.
March 13, 2025

Mark Gastineau Sues ESPN for $25 Million, Alleging Deceptive Editing of Favre..

Gastineau is a Pro Football Hall of Famer who played from 1979 to 1988.
Ryan Wedding
March 7, 2025

Feds Put $10 Million Bounty on Olympic Snowboarder for Drug Trafficking, Murder

Ryan Wedding competed at the 2002 Winter Games for Canada.