Blackburn Introduces Legislation To Counter Russian Doping Scheme

Statement

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Restoring Confidence to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Act. This legislation will allow the United States to ask for a refund unless WADA improves transparency, counters the Russian Federation's doping practices, and provides the U.S. greater decision making authority.

"Russia's practice of doping athletes has thrived under the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) weak leadership," said Senator Blackburn. "The United States is the largest financial backer of WADA, yet has little power over the agency's decision making. This legislation aims to stop American tax dollars from funding Russia's illegal doping schemes."

"We appreciate the Senate's on-going interest to restore confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency by ensuring independent athletes have a seat at the table and that all countries are fairly represented. This is the only way to truly protect clean athletes and the integrity of sport given international sport organizations' current stronghold on WADA's governance and decision making," said Travis T. Tygart, CEO of United States Anti-Doping Agency.

The Restoring Confidence to the World Anti-Doping Agency Act would:

Direct the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and USADA to use their tools to ensure that WADA maintains a proper conflict-of-interest policy and strict standards that work toward countering the state-sponsored doping system of the Russian Federation.
Require that the U.S. have at least one seat on the Executive Committee.
Allow the United States to appeal to WADA for a refund if they do not allow at least one American on the Executive Committee.

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