Hearings

WADA Shame: Swimming in Denial Over Chinese Doping

May 22, 2025
10:00 AM

Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chairman Blackburn Announces Subcommittee Hearing on May 22nd

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy, will convene a subcommittee hearing titled “WADA Shame: Swimming in Denial Over Chinese Doping” on Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 10:00 am EST. This hearing will examine if the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is effective in its mission of ensuring international events are free from doping and other performance enhancements, which put U.S. athletes at risk. The hearing will also investigate how WADA’s inconsistent enforcement has resulted in unfair competitions impacting American athletes, especially ahead of the LA Games in 2028 and Salt Lake City Games in 2034.

In 2021, WADA refused to investigate claims of Chinese swimmers testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug (PED) before the Tokyo Olympics. After a New York Times report exposed the cover-up of the investigation years later, WADA rejected oversight and ignored efforts made by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to ensure fair competition for American athletes. Numerous athletes have also spoken about the impact of relaxed anti-doping enforcement on their mental health and their ability to compete and achieve at the highest levels.

Upon announcing this hearing, Sen. Blackburn said:

“The World Anti-Doping Agency has allowed Communist China and Russia to lie, cheat, and steal, putting American athletes at risk. When Congress used its oversight authority to investigate WADA’s blatant corruption, they acted like they were above the law. When the federal government investigated WADA’s inaction, they tried to strongarm the United States and threaten our hosting of the Salt Lake City Games. As one of the largest financial contributors to WADA, the United Sates deserves answers. My colleagues and I refuse to be silenced in our mission to make certain WADA does not turn a blind eye to corruption. There must be real oversight and accountability at WADA, and this hearing will move us one step closer to ensuring fair competition for all athletes.”

Sen. Cruz said:

“American athletes have every right to be concerned about cheating in the upcoming Olympic Games, given the World Anti-Doping Agency’s failure to protect fair play. WADA should not receive a dime of American taxpayer dollars until it provides full transparency regarding past investigations and takes meaningful steps to preserve the integrity of competition. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses about the impact of WADA’s failures, so we can better understand what Congress can do to help protect and support American athletes.”

Witnesses:

  • Mr. Travis Tygart, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
  • Dr. Rahul Gupta, President, GATC Health Corp and Former Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy
  • Ms. Katie McLaughlin, Former Olympic Swimmer
  • Ms. Dionne Koller, Professor of Law and Director of the Center for Sport and Law, University of Baltimore School of Law

Details:

WHAT: Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Technology, and Data Privacy subcommittee hearing titled “WADA Shame: Swimming in Denial Over Chinese Doping”

DATE: Thursday, May 22, 2025

TIME: 10:00 AM EST

LOCATION: Committee Hearing Room, Russell 253

LIVESTREAM: The hearing will stream live on the Committee web site.

MEDIA INFO: Reporters wanting to attend the committee please contact your respective media gallery to RSVP.

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