WADA drops lawsuits against USADA for handling of drug test of the Chinese swimmers

In the 2024 Olympics, 23 swimmers from China were cleared to compete despite a failed drug test. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) originally reported the failed test, but the swimmers claimed the banned substance was caused by a food contamination at a hotel. Since WADA could not disprove the claim or find any evidence of intentional usage they allowed the swimmers to compete in the Olympics. The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency, who handled the investigation, received criticism due to speculations of a biased investigation that WADA accepted as true and allowed the athletes to compete.

WADA permitted the swimmers to compete which drew heavy criticism, with many labeling it as a “Cover Up.” This cover up narrative was pushed heavily by UASDA executive official Travis Tygart whose statements are the subject of the lawsuit since he claimed that WADA was participating in a cover up. WADA then filed a lawsuit in the Swiss court system over the “false and defamatory statements” Tygart made. WADA recently dropped the lawsuit, claiming they were certain they would win the suit but felt it was best to drop it in order to move on. Tygart claims the dropping of this lawsuit was a complete vindication for himself and USADA.

Since the lawsuit, USADA has led the conversation asking for stricter testing standards and investigations handled by non-biased parties instead of by countries with a biased interest. During the Olympics, athletes are tested by the International Olympic Committee. However, prior to the events, the testing was handled by each country’s own drug testing agency. This national drug testing has drawn criticism and led to other lawsuits. A major example of this was the 2014 Russian doping scandal, which involved a state-backed doping of Russian Olympic athletes. After this scandal the Russian athletes had to compete independently from Russia, and the Russian state drug testing agency was suspended. The Russian doping scandal led to lawsuits from both the Russian athletes against the suspension, and athletes who competed against the Russian athletes in the past.

These scandals have spurred calls for global, unbiased testing agencies. While WADA was the leading body, many now demand stricter oversight. Overall, the plan moving forward is unclear and many feel that the WADA will continue handling testing compliance for Olympic athletes. With the upcoming 2028 Olympics, this issue may come back since the USA is hosting the games. This would require WADA and the USADA to work together to handle the testing of the athletes. The tension between these two agencies will certainly lead to conflicts and potentially more lawsuits in the future. Until the 2028 Olympic Games, there will be ongoing discussions about athlete testing regulations and the compliance required. Many, including former athletes like Micheal Phelps, have called for stricter testing requirements This 2028 Olympic games will see these conversations come to the forefront of the Olympic narrative. The Olympic games is a major global event and so the testing requirements for the athletes will forever be a major topic of discussion.