The World Anti-Doping Agency has issued a firm denial regarding Friday reports claiming the organization planned to block President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and other American government leaders from the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics and 2026 FIFA World Cup.
An Associated Press story on Friday indicated that WADA was exploring measures against nations behind on their financial obligations, potentially including prohibiting government representatives from those countries from major sporting events. America has stopped paying its yearly contributions since 2024 due to disagreements about the organization’s ability to maintain drug-free athletic competitions.
The original reporting suggested WADA would address this matter during Tuesday’s scheduled meeting.
In a response posted to its website Friday evening, WADA did not rule out such policies in the future but clarified that the “FIFA World Cup, LA and Salt Lake City Games [2034] would not be covered given that the rules would not apply retroactively.”
The agency explained that any such measures would require approval from WADA’s Foundation Board, which will not convene until November.
This dispute began during former President Joe Biden’s time in office and has persisted into the Trump era, with politicians from both major parties opposing WADA’s positions.
America has refused to pay its financial obligations partly due to objections over WADA’s response to 23 Chinese swimmers who had positive tests for prohibited substances in 2021 yet were permitted to participate in that year’s Tokyo Summer Olympics.
“Discussions related to the issue of governments unilaterally withholding funding from WADA have been ongoing since early 2020 and have nothing specifically to do with the U.S.,” WADA stated. “A working group involving representatives of governments, the Sport Movement and WADA was set up in 2022, a period when the U.S. was still paying its annual contribution.”
The Associated Press reports that America’s unpaid obligations exceed $7 million for just the previous two years.
Vice President Vance and his spouse Usha recently represented the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, participating in the opening ceremonies and various competitions while supporting American competitors.
