The conflict between global anti-doping authorities has escalated dramatically after the United States Anti-Doping Agency accused the World Anti-Doping Agency of attempting 'to smear America' amid an ongoing dispute about the controversial Enhanced Games.
War of Words Intensifies Over Pro-Doping Event
Travis Tygart, the president of USADA, launched a fierce counterattack against WADA after the global body suggested American authorities should do more to prevent the pro-doping Enhanced Games from taking place in Las Vegas next year. Tygart characterised WADA's intervention as a 'desperate attempt to divert attention' from its handling of the Chinese swimming scandal in 2021.
'For an organisation reportedly part of a criminal investigation by US law enforcement, the continued and blatantly false attacks from WADA president Witold Banka are a telling smoke screen,' Tygart stated. He further accused Banka of trying to 'smear America and our US Olympic and professional athletes' while failing to address 23 positive tests by Chinese swimmers that were allegedly swept under the carpet.
The Shadow of the 2021 Chinese Swimming Scandal
The bitter exchange represents the latest chapter in the long-running feud between the two organisations regarding the Chinese swimming controversy. Details emerged last year revealing that Chinese swimmers who had failed drug tests were permitted to compete in the Tokyo Games. An independent review later criticised WADA for its 'disorganisation' during the incident, though it cleared the agency of any bias.
Tygart drew a direct parallel between that scandal and the proposed Enhanced Games, suggesting that by allowing athletes with positive tests to compete, WADA had effectively enabled 'their own Enhanced Games'. He urged those who value clean sport to 'stand up and demand that WADA be fixed.'
Funding Dispute and Future Implications
The tension has been further complicated by financial disagreements. In January, it was revealed that the US government had defaulted on $3.6 million of funding for WADA. Tygart publicly supported this decision at the time, calling it 'the only right choice to protect athletes' rights and fair competition.'
Tygart sought to distance US enforcement from the Enhanced Games concept, emphasising that his organisation is working with partners like FIFA and the International Testing Agency to ensure the upcoming World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles are 'the cleanest on record.' He asserted that 'The Enhanced Games have nothing to do with our athletes, the World Cup, or the Olympics, and President Banka knows this.'
A WADA spokesperson fired back, describing the staging of the Enhanced Games on American soil as 'an embarrassment for Travis Tygart.' The spokesperson expressed bewilderment that USADA 'refuses to work with the global anti-doping community to unite against it,' given WADA's strong opposition to the event, which has the support of 'clean athletes all over the world.'
