FILE PHOTO: A WADA logo is seen at the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Symposium in Lausanne, Switzerland, March 12, 2024. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo
(Reuters) -The World Anti-Doping Agency has renewed its call for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to better protect clean sport in the United States amid what it says are growing concerns about athletes attending major events without being sufficiently tested.
According to a WADA letter viewed by Reuters on Monday that was sent to USADA board chair Tobie Smith last Friday, 90% of all athletes in the United States compete outside the protection of the anti-doping Code.
WADA said it received a letter in July on behalf of 32 national and regional anti-doping organisations from Europe, Asia and Africa who appear concerned the U.S. are sending athletes to major events like the Olympics and world championships without being sufficiently tested in advance.
"It is surely time to address these issues that directly concern USADA and U.S. athletes," WADA said in its letter to USADA that called for reforms of the anti-doping system within the U.S., especially when it comes to college sports.
The letter was signed by WADA President Witold Banka and Director General Olivier Niggli.
USADA called the letter an "attempt at deflection" ahead of Thursday's complete report by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier into the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned substances and were cleared to compete in the Tokyo Olympics.
In July, Cottier, who was hand-picked by the global anti-doping agency, found WADA did not mishandle or show favouritism in the case of the Chinese swimmers.
The swimmers were cleared by a Chinese investigation which said they were inadvertently exposed to trimetazidine -- a medication that increases blood flow to the heart -- through contamination.
Banka has previously said Cottier's report could include recommendations but emphasised it will not change any of the findings in the initial summary.
WADA feels the issue goes beyond U.S. athletes and, citing media reports, said National Collegiate Athletic Association schools sent over 1,000 former, current and incoming student athletes representing over 100 countries to the Paris Olympics.
The letter also cited comments from USADA CEO Travis Tygart, who, while speaking before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce in February 2020, expressed concern that foreign athletes could come to the United States for a "doping vacation" where they are subject to "a pretty weak anti-doping program in the NCAA."
"It should be hugely concerning for USADA that so many top athletes are competing in a U.S. system that fails to protect their interests, their performances and, ultimately, their health," WADA wrote.
"We are sure it horrifies you to know that top overseas athletes may be taking 'doping vacations' on U.S. soil. WADA has raised this matter on many occasions for more than 10 years, but our concerns have not been addressed."
'OVER-THE-TOP ATTACKS'
In its letter, WADA also cited figures released by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee which said 75% of American athletes who competed at the Paris Olympics came through the collegiate system.
"That is three quarters of American Olympians who were at one point part of an elite system that operates far below the globally recognised clean sport standard," the letter wrote.
WADA has long felt U.S. college and professional sports need to recognise the anti-doping Code and has previously proposed a road map to jump start the effort.
U.S. college and professional sports have been viewed as a black hole by anti-doping officials with spotty testing and punishments often cloaked in secrecy.
In response, USADA said in a statement WADA are "running scared" and trying to "deflect from their own failure to do their job" as the global regulator in the handling of the case of the Chinese swimmers.
"If WADA leadership bothered looking into all the data, not just the pieces that serve its agenda, it would know that 100% of U.S. NCAA athletes who competed at the Paris Olympic Games were tested by USADA in 2024," said Tygart.
"USADA has also worked closely with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee over the past several years to encourage the NCAA to advance their program.
"Unfortunately, the over-the-top attacks today by WADA leaders have probably completely undermined that effort.
"And if there was any doubt before, this latest attack is a perfect example of why U.S. college and pro sports would want nothing to do with WADA."
In a statement on Monday, the Central European Anti-Doping Organization (CEADO) that sent the July letter to WADA said it welcomed the actions being taken by the global body.
"WADA's letter to USADA is an important step to improve the anti-doping situation and enforcement of the World Anti-Doping-Code in academic sport and professional leagues," CEADO said.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
