Michael Phelps Criticizes WADA: U.S. Athletes Losing Faith Before Paris Olympics

American Olympic athletes are expressing severe doubts about the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and its ability to keep their sports clean before the upcoming Paris Summer Games. Michael Phelps, the most decorated swimmer in history with 23 Olympic gold medals, and four-time gold medalist Allison Schmitt, testified before a House subcommittee on Tuesday. Their statements follow the discovery that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned heart medication before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, yet were permitted to compete. Among these swimmers, five won medals, including three golds.

Phelps and Schmitt's concerns highlight a broader issue within the international sports community. Schmitt, part of the US 800-meter freestyle relay team that narrowly lost to China in Tokyo, expressed frustration. "We raced hard. We trained hard. We followed every protocol. We accepted our defeat with grace," Schmitt said. "Many of us will be haunted by this podium finish that may have been impacted by doping."

Eleven of the Chinese swimmers who tested positive before Tokyo are expected to compete again in Paris. Phelps, who has previously testified about WADA’s handling of Russian state-sponsored doping, indicated that nothing has improved. "As athletes, our faith can no longer be blindly placed in the World Anti-Doping Agency, an organization that continues to prove that it is either incapable or unwilling to enforce its policies consistently around the world," Phelps stated. He expressed concerns that if this situation continues, it might jeopardize the very existence of the Olympic Games.

WADA's handling of the Chinese swimmers' positive tests has been particularly contentious. Chinese anti-doping officials claimed the athletes ingested the banned substance through contaminated food, a conclusion WADA accepted. However, independent experts and the US Anti-Doping Agency's CEO, Travis Tygart, have questioned this explanation, calling it "outrageous." Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers criticized WADA for accepting the explanation without a thorough investigation, hindered by Covid-19 restrictions in China.

WADA President Witold Bańka declined to testify before the subcommittee, issuing a statement defending WADA’s actions and denying any bias toward China. Bańka asserted that anti-doping should not be politicized and refuted allegations of impropriety.

In response to the controversy, WADA appointed Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier to independently review the case. Critics, however, are skeptical of Cottier’s appointment due to potential conflicts of interest. The US, which contributes more funding to WADA than any other country, is now contemplating conditioning future funding on significant reforms within the agency. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers supported this idea, emphasizing the need for accountability in how the funds are used.

Why This Matters: This issue underscores the ongoing struggles within international sports to ensure fair competition. The integrity of the Olympics is at stake, affecting athletes' careers and the global perception of the Games.

Key Takeaways

• US Olympic athletes, including Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt, expressed a loss of faith in WADA before the Paris Olympics.
• 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance before Tokyo 2021 but were allowed to compete, winning several medals.
• Phelps criticized WADA for its inconsistent enforcement of anti-doping policies.
• WADA accepted China's explanation of contaminated food without thorough investigation due to Covid-19 restrictions.
• US lawmakers are considering conditioning future WADA funding on reforms to ensure accountability and effectiveness.