WADA Urges USADA to Strengthen Anti-Doping Measures Amid Growing Concerns

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has renewed calls for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to enhance anti-doping measures. WADA's letter expresses concern about insufficient testing of U.S. athletes attending major events. USADA dismissed the call as an 'attempt at deflection' ahead of a report on Chinese swimmers’ doping cases.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has intensified its appeal for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to bolster its anti-doping regulations after expressing concerns about inadequate testing for athletes attending major events. According to a letter from WADA sent to USADA board chair Tobie Smith, 90% of U.S. athletes compete without sufficient protection under the anti-doping Code.

WADA's concerns stem from a July letter representing 32 national and regional anti-doping organisations across Europe, Asia, and Africa. These organisations worry that U.S. athletes are participating in global competitions like the Olympics and world championships without thorough testing. WADA's letter to USADA calls for reforms, specifically focusing on college sports.

USADA has dismissed WADA's letter as a preemptive 'attempt at deflection' ahead of a full report by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier on Thursday regarding the doping case of 23 Chinese swimmers. The swimmers, cleared of banned substance use by a Chinese investigation, were believed to be inadvertently exposed to trimetazidine.

(With inputs from agencies.)