WADA statement on misleading Associated Press article

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) notes today’s Associated Press (AP) article alleging that WADA might ban United States government officials from the LA 2028 Summer Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup over unpaid dues.  

Despite WADA having provided AP with the facts, the article is entirely misleading. In fact, prior to the publication of the article, WADA specifically responded to the AP journalist – Eddie Pells – that, even if proposals that were being discussed amongst stakeholders were introduced, “given that the rules would not apply retroactively, the FIFA World Cup, LA and Salt Lake City Games would not be covered.”  Mr. Pells chose to omit this one statement from his article, presumably because it undermined his story.   

In fact, discussions related to the issue of governments unilaterally withholding funding from WADA have been ongoing since early 2020 and have nothing specifically to do with the U.S. A working group involving representatives of governments, the Sport Movement and WADA was set up in 2022, a period when the U.S. was still paying its annual contribution. 

A specific proposal arose out of the working group aimed at better protecting WADA’s funding so that it can deliver on its global collaborative movement for doping-free sport. If WADA’s funding is cut, it is ultimately athletes around the world – including in the U.S. – who will suffer. Indeed, athletes (including those on WADA’s Executive Committee and Foundation Board) have continuously expressed their support for this initiative.  

To be clear, any decision on this matter would be for the WADA Foundation Board, which is comprised of worldwide governments, the Sport Movement and independent members. The next Foundation Board meeting is scheduled for November 2026.