Usada backs US government decision to withhold Wada payment

Wada president Witold Banka had previously said that the agency’s “integrity and reputation” was under attack - (AFP via Getty Images)

The US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) has stated that it “fully supports” the US government’s decision to withhold a $3.6m (£2.8m) payment to the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) in light of the organisation’s handling of a major doping scandal.

News emerged in April 2024 that 23 Chinese swimmers were cleared to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 despite having tested positive for a banned heart medication – called trimetazidine – in the preceding months.