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 annual contributions to the anti-doping watchdog since 2023, amid disputes over the handling of a doping case involving Chinese swimmers.
Under the proposed sanctions, countries failing to pay dues by 31 January of the year following billing could face a three-tiered set of penalties. The most extreme measures include excluding government representatives from major events such as World Championships and Olympic and Paralympic Games. For the U.S., this would affect Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and members of Congress.
However, WADA has dismissed the story 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 noted that the proposal, first raised in 2024, would not apply retroactively, meaning it would not affect the 2026 FIFA World Cup or the 2028 and 2034 Olympic Games if implemented after November.
The U.S. owes approximately $3.7 million for last year and $3.6 million for 2024. Sara Carter, director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), said the U.S. “continues to stand firm” in demanding accountability from WADA. Her predecessor, Rahul Gupta, called the proposal “ludicrous,” questioning how a Swiss foundation could enforce a ban on the U.S. president.
