The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has postponed a decision on a rule that could bar government officials from major sporting events if their nations fail to pay dues, potentially affecting US President Donald Trump and other US officials. The move defers a confrontation until after this summer's World Cup, which the US is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico.
WADA's executive committee announced on Tuesday it would revisit the proposed rule in September. If adopted, it would likely come into effect before the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. The US has not paid its contributions to WADA since 2023, totalling $7.3 million over two years, citing concerns over WADA's handling of a case involving Chinese swimmers.
The dispute has been bipartisan, with payments withheld under both Trump and Joe Biden's administrations. The proposed rule could theoretically place Trump and US lawmakers on a banned list for events held in their own country, though questions remain over WADA's power to enforce such a ban for Olympic attendance.
WADA director general Olivier Niggli said: 'The withholding of contributions by governments for political or other voluntary reasons remains a serious topic of concern for all WADA’s stakeholders. Funding instability has a direct effect on the functioning and development of the World Anti-Doping Program.'
WADA began exploring this issue in 2020, around the time the US first threatened to withhold funds, though the agency insists the measure is not specifically aimed at the United States. Any decision by the executive committee would require ratification by the WADA foundation board, whose next scheduled meeting is in November.
