Usada Set to Face Compliance Review

The World Anti-Doping Agency, Wada, says the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Usada, will face a compliance review, which could jeopardise the country hosting the 2028 and 2034 Olympics.

Wada says it was taking action against Usada over a dispute around a case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance in 2021.

Alrick Swaby tells us more.

The case drew criticism from Usada, whose chief executive Travis Tygart suggested a cover-up – a claim Wada rejected as “completely false and defamatory”.

The United States is set to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles, while it was announced on Wednesday that Salt Lake City would host the Winter Olympics and Paralympics in 2034.

However, any country wanting to compete in or stage an international sporting event must be compliant with the anti-doping code.

Wada will take Usada to the Independent Compliance Review Committee next month.

If the Independent Compliance Review Court’s review goes against the United States, the country would have to forfeit participating in and hosting the Olympics.

In response, Tygart called the move by Wada “retaliation” for Usada asking questions about the case of the Chinese swimmers.

The International Olympic Committee, IOC, earlier said it had altered the hosting contract to allow it to strip Salt Lake of the Games if US authorities did not respect the “supreme authority” of Wada.

The United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Salt Lake City officials agreed to the revised contract.