WADA delays decision on banning national leaders from sporting events

The World Anti-Doping Agency will not take up the issue of national governments that fail to pay their dues until later the year, the organization said.

Those countries include the United States.

Last week, the Associated Press reported that the WADA executive committee would consider banning government officials from non-paying countries from major events, specifically keeping President Donald Trump or members of his administration from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

WADA issued a statement strongly denying it intended to discuss such action and said that decision would fall to the group's Foundation Board, which does not convene again until November.

WADA said Tuesday that the item could be discussed when the executive board meets again in September.

In its rebuttal to the article, WADA didn't deny that such a rule one day could be implemented, but it would be years down the road.

"FIFA World Cup, LA and Salt Lake City Games (2034) would not be covered given that the rules would not apply retroactively," WADA said.

The United States hasn't paid annual dues since at least 2024 over a dispute regarding the organization's effectiveness in keeping athletic competition drug-free.

The issue first arose under the administration of then-U.S. President Joe Biden and continues under the Trump administration, with government officials of both the Democratic and Republican parties siding against WADA.

The United States has withheld its dues, in part, in protest of WADA's handling of a group of 23 swimmers from China who tested positive for a banned substance in 2021 but were allowed to compete in the Tokyo Summer Olympics that same year.

According to the AP, the United States owes more than $7 million for the past two years alone.

Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha, led the U.S. contingent at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games last month and attended the Opening Ceremony and a variety of competitions to support American athletes.

--Field Level Media/Reuters