US anti-doping chief Travis Tygart accused Olympic officials of resorting to threats after they awarded the 2034 Winter Games to Salt Lake City on Wednesday, while warning US authorities to comply with regulations.
Salt Lake City’s successful bid was expected, as it was the sole candidate, having hosted the Games in 2002. However, a dramatic twist occurred just before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved the bid by 83 votes to six. Olympic officials warned that the decision could be reversed if US lawmakers and the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) did not align with regulations.
John Coates, chairman of the IOC’s legal commission, stated that the host city contract had been modified to allow the IOC to revoke Salt Lake City’s right to host the Games if US authorities did not acknowledge the “supreme authority” of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Speaking in Paris before the opening of the Games on Friday, Coates emphasized the necessity for US authorities to respect WADA. He stated, “The IOC has reinforced the current language of the Olympic host contract to protect the integrity of the international anti-doping system and to allow the IOC to terminate the Olympic host contract if the supreme authority of WADA is not fully respected or if the application of the World Anti-Doping Code is hindered or undermined.”
This warning shocked seasoned observers of the IOC and sports politics. USADA has been a vocal critic of WADA over the past decade. Tensions escalated this year following reports in April that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics but were allowed to compete.
Tygart has repeatedly accused WADA of covering up these cases, which China attributed to unintentional food contamination. Eleven of the 23 Chinese swimmers are currently in Paris.
In an angry statement, Tygart again condemned WADA’s handling of the case of the Chinese swimmers and lashed out at the conditions of the agreement for Salt Lake to host in 2034.
“It is shocking to see the IOC itself stooping to threats in an apparent effort to silence those seeking answers to what are now known as facts,” he said.
“It seems more apparent than ever that WADA violated the rules (over the Chinese swimmers) and needs accountability and reform to truly be the global watchdog that clean athletes need.
“Today’s demonstration further showed that as it stands today, WADA is just a sport lapdog, and clean athletes have little chance.”
WADA has angrily rejected the criticism from USADA, threatening legal action against the body.
WADA, which has also faced criticism beyond the United States, welcomed Wednesday what it called unequivocal support.
Its president Witold Banka said there had been “politicisation of anti-doping within the US”.
Coates said both the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and the state of Utah had agreed to the reworded host city contract.
“We are committed to fostering WADA’s authority as (it) is crucial for the opportunity to provide clean sport for athletes and give them confidence that they can be protected,” USOPC chairman Gene Sykes said.
“Our view is that this is of paramount importance and we take their concerns very seriously.”
