WADA May Bar Trump, US Officials from 2028 LA Olympics

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is considering new rules that could prevent President Donald Trump and other U.S. government officials from attending the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The proposal could also have implications for the U.S.-hosted FIFA World Cup this summer and will be discussed at WADA’s executive committee meeting next Tuesday.

This move comes after years of the U.S. government refusing to pay its annual dues to WADA. The U.S. protests are part of a bipartisan effort criticizing WADA’s handling of cases involving Chinese swimmers and other issues.

WADA spokesman James Fitzgerald said discussions about governments withholding funding have been ongoing since 2020 and are not directly linked to the U.S.

The proposal was first introduced in 2024 but was blocked after U.S. authorities lobbied against it. The U.S. has since lost its seat on WADA’s executive committee. Sara Carter, director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), defended the U.S. stance, saying, “We continue to stand firm in our demand for accountability and transparency from WADA to ensure fair competition in sport.”

Experts have questioned the enforceability of such a rule. Rahul Gupta, Carter’s predecessor, said, “How are you going to enforce it? Are they going to post a red notice from Interpol? It’s ludicrous.”

WADA clarified that any new rule would not apply retroactively, meaning events like this year’s FIFA World Cup or future Olympics in LA would not be affected. A final decision rests with WADA’s Foundation Board, whose next meeting is in November.

The draft proposal would apply to governments that fail to pay dues by January 31 of the year after billing. The U.S. has not paid its dues since 2023, amounting to roughly $7.3 million over two years. Extreme sanctions in the proposal include barring government representatives from major international events, including the Olympics and World Championships.

WADA’s 2025 budget is $57.5 million, funded half by the International Olympic Committee and half by governments, with contributions based on team size. The U.S. has historically been a major contributor.

Tensions trace back to the Trump administration and concerns over WADA’s handling of Russian doping cases before the 2014 Sochi Olympics. In 2024, WADA allowed 23 Chinese swimmers to compete at the Paris Olympics despite testing positive, citing accidental contamination.

The U.S. has withheld payments until WADA agrees to an independent audit. WADA says the new initiative is aimed at securing its funding to protect clean sport, emphasizing that athletes ultimately suffer if funding is cut.