U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) and U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on July 30 proposed a bipartisan, bicameral bill that aims to ensure athletes are competing drug-free at the Olympics and Paralympics.
“Athletes around the world deserve to know they are competing on a fair and level playing field at the Olympics and Paralympics Games,” said Rep. Moolenaar, chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
“This bicameral, bipartisan legislation will show Olympians and the world that the United States Congress has the backs of athletes that compete clean and with integrity,” the congressman added.
Rep. Moolenaar sponsored the Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act of 2024, H.R. 9220, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL). Sen. Blackburn sponsored the identical S. 4839 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).
Specifically, the measure would permanently provide the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) the authority to withhold up to the full amount of membership dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if the organization fails to operate as a fair and independent actor to athletes competing in the international sporting competitions.
“As the largest financial contributor to the World Anti-Doping Agency, the U.S. deserves to have complete confidence in WADA’s ability to regulate unlawful doping so that every athlete gets a fair shot no matter their sport or country,” Sen. Blackburn said. “The Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act would make sure WADA addresses any potential conflicts of interest and properly enforces international anti-doping standards as it was created to do.”
Additionally, the bill would authorize ONDCP to use all available tools to ensure that WADA fully implements all governance reforms, including a proper conflict-of-interest policy, and that independent athletes from the U.S. and other democratic countries, or representatives of such athletes, have a decision making role on WADA’s executive committee and governing bodies, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.