The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is reportedly considering a rule change that could bar U.S. government officials, including President Donald Trump, from attending the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The proposal stems from Washington's refusal to pay its dues to the anti-doping watchdog, which has been ongoing since 2023.
Under the proposed sanctions, countries failing to pay their contributions by January 31 of the year following billing could face a three-tiered penalty system. For the U.S., this would involve unpaid amounts of approximately $3.7 million from last year and $3.6 million from 2024. The most severe sanction would exclude government representatives from major events such as the Olympics and World Championships.
WADA has described reports of the potential ban as “entirely misleading,” with spokesman James Fitzgerald stating that discussions on addressing withheld funding have been ongoing since 2020 and are not specifically targeting the U.S. He added that if the rule were introduced, it would not apply retroactively, meaning it would not affect the 2026 FIFA World Cup or the 2028 and 2034 Olympic Games.
However, a WADA response from February suggested the proposal could be implemented without undue delay, potentially through a circular or an extraordinary board meeting. The U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has criticised the move, with director Sara Carter saying the U.S. stands firm in demanding accountability from WADA. Former ONDCP director Rahul Gupta, who previously opposed the proposal on WADA’s executive board, called it “ludicrous” and questioned how it could be enforced.
