Senate subcommittee presses WADA on 23 positive tests, urges audits and U.S. oversight

At a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing, Chair Marsha Blackburn and witnesses pressed the World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA) for answers about a report that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for the banned drug trimetazidine before the Tokyo Olympics and were nevertheless allowed to compete.

The hearing focused on accountability and reform. Blackburn said, “My message remains the same. My colleagues and I will not be threatened or silenced for promoting fair play and advocating for clean sport.” Witnesses called for independent audits of WADA, stronger conflict‑of‑interest protections in WADA leadership, and continued U.S. oversight of international anti‑doping governance.

Why it matters: The United States is the largest public funder of WADA and is hosting or co‑hosting major international events in the coming decade, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Committee members and witnesses said that low confidence in WADA’s process threatens the…