The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has criticized the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for permitting at least three athletes with serious anti-doping violations to continue competing for years in exchange for information on other offenders.
In a statement dated August 7, WADA expressed its disapproval: “It is ironic and hypocritical that USADA cries foul when it suspects other Anti-Doping Organizations are not following the rules to the letter while it did not announce doping cases for years and allowed cheats to carry on competing, on the off chance they might help them catch other possible violators.”
According to USADA’s own statistics, 35 cases were labeled as “no fault or negligence,” including a recent case involving American sprinter Erriyon Knighton. Additionally, 84 cases out of 966 sanctions resulted in “public warnings.” Notably, names are removed from sanction lists 30 days after the resolution of “No Fault or Negligence” cases.
WADA’s revelation raises questions about the integrity of anti-doping efforts in the United States and highlights a potential double standard in the enforcement of anti-doping regulations. This development has significant implications for athletes worldwide, including those from Asia, who compete on an international stage and rely on fair competition standards.
The global sporting community continues to grapple with challenges in maintaining clean sport, and WADA’s critique of USADA underscores the need for consistent and transparent enforcement of anti-doping rules across all nations and organizations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
