OREANDA-NEWS. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) may prevent US athletes from participating in the Olympic Games and other major sporting events if the country stops funding the organization.

This was announced on September 4 by President of WADA, Witold Banka. He noted that the cessation of US funding could have serious consequences for American athletes. The head of WADA mentioned the appeals received by the organization from the governments of several countries, representatives of which were shocked by the threats of colleagues from Washington.

“These governments want us to consider an amendment to the compliance standard meaning that non-payment by a government of its WADA contribution could lead directly to that country’s NADO [National Anti-Doping Organisation. – Ed.) being declared non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code. Inevitably this could have serious repercussions for athletes from that country including their participation in major international sporting events,” Banka explained.

President of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Travis Tygart, called the threat of WADA empty and illegal. “To threaten one country’s athletes over WADA’s failed governance model is pretty remarkable and disappointing,” he said.