US drug czar criticizes WADA proposals, citing risks to Olympic integrity

Carter specifically derided the "unjustifiable exclusion" of U.S. authorities from an upcoming "extraordinary meeting" of the WADA executive committee, where the recommendations will be discussed. WADA spokesman James Fitzgerald explained that the U.S. was not invited because its government has refused to pay its WADA dues, a point of contention in a broader dispute between the U.S. and the global anti-doping regulator, exacerbated by the handling of Russian and Chinese doping scandals.

Fitzgerald asserted that the working group's objective and recommendations are designed to enhance the independence and credibility of the anti-doping process, particularly for major events. Among the proposed changes is the potential transfer of some testing responsibilities away from host-country anti-doping agencies, which could impact the role of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, a vocal critic of WADA's handling of past doping cases. Carter emphasized the importance of robust participation from National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) to ensure clean Olympic and Paralympic Games.