Deadspin | WADA refutes report it is mulling rule that could bar US officials from LA Olympics

Deadspin | WADA refutes report it is mulling rule that could bar US officials from LA Olympics

Feb 6, 2026; Milan, ITALY; United States Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance wave American flags during the Opening Ceremony for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Alban/Pool via Imagn Images

The World Anti-Doping Agency strongly denied a published report from Friday that said it was considering action to prevent President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and other U.S. government officials from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Associated Press reported Friday that WADA was seeking to take steps against governments that aren’t up to date on dues payments, topped by a ban of officials from those countries from sporting events. The United States hasn’t paid annual dues since at least 2024 over a dispute regarding the organization’s effectiveness in keeping athletic competition drug-free.

Per the initial report, WADA was scheduled to discuss the topic at its meeting on Tuesday.

WADA published its rebuttal on its website later Friday and didn’t deny that such a rule one day could be implemented. But, the agency said, the “FIFA World Cup, LA and Salt Lake City Games [2034] would not be covered given that the rules would not apply retroactively.”

It added that any such decision would be made by WADA’s Foundation Board, but that group does not meet until November.

The issue first arose under the administration of then-U.S. President Joe Biden and continues under the Trump administration, with government officials of both the Democratic and Republican parties siding against WADA.

The United States has withheld its dues, in part, in protest of WADA’s handling of a group of 23 swimmers from China who tested positive for a banned substance in 2021 but were allowed to compete in the Tokyo Summer Olympics that same year.

“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 said in its statement. “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.”

According to the AP, the United States owes more than $7 million for the past two years alone.

Vance and his wife, Usha, led the U.S. contingent at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games and attended the Opening Ceremony and a variety of competitions to support American athletes.

–Field Level Media

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Valero Texas Open 2026 - Final Round
Valero Texas Open 2026 - Final Round

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 05: J.J. Spaun of the United States putts on cowboy boots after winning the final round of the Valero Texas Open 2026 at TPC San Antonio on April 05, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
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#J.J #Spaun #wins #Valero #Texas #Open #career #PGA #Tour #victory">J.J. Spaun wins Valero Texas Open for third career PGA Tour victory  SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – APRIL 05: J.J. Spaun of the United States putts on cowboy boots after winning the final round of the Valero Texas Open 2026 at TPC San Antonio on April 05, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Getty Images  #J.J #Spaun #wins #Valero #Texas #Open #career #PGA #Tour #victory

India’s premier men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty withdrew from the upcoming Badminton Asia Championship, with their coach Tan Kim Her confirming the development on Monday.

The Korean coach told PTI that the World No. 4 duo will not take part in the tournament as Rankireddy recovers from a shoulder injury. The pair had also pulled out before their Swiss Open quarterfinal last month due to an injury.

In their absence, Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun will be the only Indians in fray in men’s doubles.

The women’s doubles pairing of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also withdrew from the tournament. However, the reason for their absence is yet to be confirmed.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#SatwikChirag #withdraw #Badminton #Asia #Championships">Satwik-Chirag withdraw from Badminton Asia Championships 2026  India’s premier men’s doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty withdrew from the upcoming Badminton Asia Championship, with their coach Tan Kim Her confirming the development on Monday.The Korean coach told        PTI that the World No. 4 duo will not take part in the tournament as Rankireddy recovers from a shoulder injury. The pair had also pulled out before their Swiss Open quarterfinal last month due to an injury.In their absence, Hariharan Amsakarunan and M.R. Arjun will be the only Indians in fray in men’s doubles.The women’s doubles pairing of Treesa Jolly and Gayatri Gopichand also withdrew from the tournament. However, the reason for their absence is yet to be confirmed.Published on Apr 06, 2026  #SatwikChirag #withdraw #Badminton #Asia #Championships

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