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

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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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Deadspin | Brewers place RHP Brandon Woodruff on IL with shoulder inflammation Apr 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images After making an early exit from his Thursday start due to much lower than normal velocity, Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation. Woodruff, who missed all of 2024 and the first three months of the 2025 season due to shoulder surgery, faced just six batters in Thursday’s 13-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was averaging 85.4 mph with his fastball, well below his 92.5 average through his first five starts of the season. As a corresponding move, Milwaukee recalled right-hander Easton McGee from Triple-A Nashville. Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after Thursday’s game that Woodruff had undergone an MRI during the game. “He doesn’t feel like he’s injured,” Murphy said. “He said, ‘My arm’s dead. Nothing’s coming out.’ I think we just have to be really cautious here.” Woodruff, 33, is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in six starts this season. He is 55-29 with a 3.13 ERA in 148 career appearances (133 starts) since reaching the majors with Milwaukee in 2017. The two-time All-Star returned to make 12 starts last season after his extensive recovery and went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA. McGee, 28, tossed one scoreless inning on April 10 in his lone appearance this season for the Brewers. He owns a career 3.20 ERA across 12 games (one start) and 25 1/3 innings for the Tampa Bay Rays (2022), Seattle Mariners (2023) and Brewers (2025-26). He posted a 3-1 record and 6.39 ERA over eight appearances (one start) this season for Nashville. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brewers #place #RHP #Brandon #Woodruff #shoulder #inflammationApr 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

After making an early exit from his Thursday start due to much lower than normal velocity, Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation.

Woodruff, who missed all of 2024 and the first three months of the 2025 season due to shoulder surgery, faced just six batters in Thursday’s 13-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was averaging 85.4 mph with his fastball, well below his 92.5 average through his first five starts of the season.

As a corresponding move, Milwaukee recalled right-hander Easton McGee from Triple-A Nashville.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after Thursday’s game that Woodruff had undergone an MRI during the game.


“He doesn’t feel like he’s injured,” Murphy said. “He said, ‘My arm’s dead. Nothing’s coming out.’ I think we just have to be really cautious here.”

Woodruff, 33, is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in six starts this season. He is 55-29 with a 3.13 ERA in 148 career appearances (133 starts) since reaching the majors with Milwaukee in 2017.

The two-time All-Star returned to make 12 starts last season after his extensive recovery and went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA.

McGee, 28, tossed one scoreless inning on April 10 in his lone appearance this season for the Brewers. He owns a career 3.20 ERA across 12 games (one start) and 25 1/3 innings for the Tampa Bay Rays (2022), Seattle Mariners (2023) and Brewers (2025-26). He posted a 3-1 record and 6.39 ERA over eight appearances (one start) this season for Nashville.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brewers #place #RHP #Brandon #Woodruff #shoulder #inflammation">Deadspin | Brewers place RHP Brandon Woodruff on IL with shoulder inflammation Apr 30, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Brandon Woodruff (53) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images After making an early exit from his Thursday start due to much lower than normal velocity, Brewers ace Brandon Woodruff was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday with right shoulder inflammation. Woodruff, who missed all of 2024 and the first three months of the 2025 season due to shoulder surgery, faced just six batters in Thursday’s 13-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was averaging 85.4 mph with his fastball, well below his 92.5 average through his first five starts of the season. As a corresponding move, Milwaukee recalled right-hander Easton McGee from Triple-A Nashville. Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after Thursday’s game that Woodruff had undergone an MRI during the game. “He doesn’t feel like he’s injured,” Murphy said. “He said, ‘My arm’s dead. Nothing’s coming out.’ I think we just have to be really cautious here.” Woodruff, 33, is 2-1 with a 3.60 ERA in six starts this season. He is 55-29 with a 3.13 ERA in 148 career appearances (133 starts) since reaching the majors with Milwaukee in 2017. The two-time All-Star returned to make 12 starts last season after his extensive recovery and went 7-2 with a 3.20 ERA. McGee, 28, tossed one scoreless inning on April 10 in his lone appearance this season for the Brewers. He owns a career 3.20 ERA across 12 games (one start) and 25 1/3 innings for the Tampa Bay Rays (2022), Seattle Mariners (2023) and Brewers (2025-26). He posted a 3-1 record and 6.39 ERA over eight appearances (one start) this season for Nashville. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Brewers #place #RHP #Brandon #Woodruff #shoulder #inflammation

Deadspin | Amid scoring drought, Real Salt Lake face revitalized Timbers Apr 26, 2026; Carson, California, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) fights for the ball against LA Galaxy defender John Nelson (14) during the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images After collecting 16 points in their first seven MLS contests, Real Salt Lake are in a power outage, scoring just one goal in their last 225 minutes of play, while losing their last two matches. When they host the Portland Timbers on Saturday in Sandy, Utah, Real Salt Lake will try to remedy their sputtering offense. After struggling through a busy stretch in which it played three matches in a span of eight days, Salt Lake (5-3-1, 16 points) enters with a week of rest and plenty of time to figure out what went wrong. “As a group, we need to own everything and put our best foot forward to do our best in this next match against Portland,” Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni said. Zavier Gozo (two goals, four assists), one of two teenagers in the lineup for Real Salt Lake, leads their attacking style. Diego Luna (two goals, three assists) and Sergi Solans (five goals) also have led the offense. “Gozo, I think, has been a revelation for them. He’s a young kid that we saw last year who’s developing, who’s maturing, who’s becoming one of their most important players,” Portland coach Phil Neville said. The Timbers (3-5-1, 10 points) are looking for their second straight road win following a 2-1 victory last Saturday at San Diego. Alex Bonetig scored the first goal of his MLS career six minutes into second-half stoppage time as Portland snapped its string of road league matches without a win, which dated back to August of last year, at 12. “It was big for the whole organization, winning away from home,” Neville said. ” … Mentally, psychologically, I think it’s important.” Kristoffer Velde (three goals) paces a balanced attack, which has produced 13 goals from 10 different players. The Timbers lead the series 16-14-12 all-time. They knocked RSL out of the playoffs last year with a 3-1 wild-card win in Portland as Felipe Mora scored a brace. “I’m sure they remember that as well, that we sent them home early,” Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis said. “It’s not going to be an easy game. It’s a road game, altitude challenge. We’re looking to build momentum off last week.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #scoring #drought #Real #Salt #Lake #face #revitalized #TimbersApr 26, 2026; Carson, California, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) fights for the ball against LA Galaxy defender John Nelson (14) during the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

After collecting 16 points in their first seven MLS contests, Real Salt Lake are in a power outage, scoring just one goal in their last 225 minutes of play, while losing their last two matches.

When they host the Portland Timbers on Saturday in Sandy, Utah, Real Salt Lake will try to remedy their sputtering offense.

After struggling through a busy stretch in which it played three matches in a span of eight days, Salt Lake (5-3-1, 16 points) enters with a week of rest and plenty of time to figure out what went wrong.

“As a group, we need to own everything and put our best foot forward to do our best in this next match against Portland,” Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni said.

Zavier Gozo (two goals, four assists), one of two teenagers in the lineup for Real Salt Lake, leads their attacking style. Diego Luna (two goals, three assists) and Sergi Solans (five goals) also have led the offense.

“Gozo, I think, has been a revelation for them. He’s a young kid that we saw last year who’s developing, who’s maturing, who’s becoming one of their most important players,” Portland coach Phil Neville said.


The Timbers (3-5-1, 10 points) are looking for their second straight road win following a 2-1 victory last Saturday at San Diego.

Alex Bonetig scored the first goal of his MLS career six minutes into second-half stoppage time as Portland snapped its string of road league matches without a win, which dated back to August of last year, at 12.

“It was big for the whole organization, winning away from home,” Neville said. ” … Mentally, psychologically, I think it’s important.”

Kristoffer Velde (three goals) paces a balanced attack, which has produced 13 goals from 10 different players.

The Timbers lead the series 16-14-12 all-time. They knocked RSL out of the playoffs last year with a 3-1 wild-card win in Portland as Felipe Mora scored a brace.

“I’m sure they remember that as well, that we sent them home early,” Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis said. “It’s not going to be an easy game. It’s a road game, altitude challenge. We’re looking to build momentum off last week.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #scoring #drought #Real #Salt #Lake #face #revitalized #Timbers">Deadspin | Amid scoring drought, Real Salt Lake face revitalized Timbers Apr 26, 2026; Carson, California, USA; Real Salt Lake midfielder Zavier Gozo (72) fights for the ball against LA Galaxy defender John Nelson (14) during the second half at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images After collecting 16 points in their first seven MLS contests, Real Salt Lake are in a power outage, scoring just one goal in their last 225 minutes of play, while losing their last two matches. When they host the Portland Timbers on Saturday in Sandy, Utah, Real Salt Lake will try to remedy their sputtering offense. After struggling through a busy stretch in which it played three matches in a span of eight days, Salt Lake (5-3-1, 16 points) enters with a week of rest and plenty of time to figure out what went wrong. “As a group, we need to own everything and put our best foot forward to do our best in this next match against Portland,” Salt Lake coach Pablo Mastroeni said. Zavier Gozo (two goals, four assists), one of two teenagers in the lineup for Real Salt Lake, leads their attacking style. Diego Luna (two goals, three assists) and Sergi Solans (five goals) also have led the offense. “Gozo, I think, has been a revelation for them. He’s a young kid that we saw last year who’s developing, who’s maturing, who’s becoming one of their most important players,” Portland coach Phil Neville said. The Timbers (3-5-1, 10 points) are looking for their second straight road win following a 2-1 victory last Saturday at San Diego. Alex Bonetig scored the first goal of his MLS career six minutes into second-half stoppage time as Portland snapped its string of road league matches without a win, which dated back to August of last year, at 12. “It was big for the whole organization, winning away from home,” Neville said. ” … Mentally, psychologically, I think it’s important.” Kristoffer Velde (three goals) paces a balanced attack, which has produced 13 goals from 10 different players. The Timbers lead the series 16-14-12 all-time. They knocked RSL out of the playoffs last year with a 3-1 wild-card win in Portland as Felipe Mora scored a brace. “I’m sure they remember that as well, that we sent them home early,” Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis said. “It’s not going to be an easy game. It’s a road game, altitude challenge. We’re looking to build momentum off last week.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #scoring #drought #Real #Salt #Lake #face #revitalized #Timbers

Deadspin | Iran officials aim to meet with FIFA, discuss World Cup issues Nov 29, 2022; Doha, Qatar; Iran defender Abolfazl Jalali (25) dribbles the ball against the United States of America during the second half of a group stage match during the 2022 World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-Imagn Images Soccer officials from Iran are intent on meeting with FIFA’s leadership about its upcoming World Cup matches in the United States. Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s soccer administration, informed Iranian media Friday that the country’s soccer leadership has issues it wants to discuss with the international governing body. Iran was the only FIFA federation among the 211 member countries without representation at this week’s FIFA congress in Vancouver. That meeting is expected to happen before May 20 at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, the Associated Press reported. Taj gave further insight to an incident this week when he and the other traveling members of the Iran delegation had issues getting into Toronto while on the way to Vancouver for the FIFA congress. Canadian immigration authorities questioned Taj about ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). They were reportedly detained for two hours before being told they could continue on to Vancouver but instead elected to leave the country. “We all had visas and were even checked in Turkey. They told us they had questions for you and asked if we were members of the IRGC,” Taj said, according to Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim. “We told them that there are 90 million IRGC members in Iran. They said that we don’t allow people from this organization in. They said that it is the laws of our country. “After a while, they said you can enter but we decided to return. They didn’t deport us and we decided to return ourselves… I told the Canadians that you kept us at the ?airport ?for three hours, you made us wait for nothing.” There has been much speculation about whether Iran would be able and/or willing to participate in this summer’s World Cup in North America in the aftermath of the U.S. and Israel launching a dual military attack against Iran in February. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said at Thursday’s annual congress that Iran will be coming to the U.S. and playing as scheduled in the event. This goes against Iran’s request in March for its matches to be moved to Mexico. Iran, which is in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, is scheduled to have its base camp set up in Tucson, Ariz. The team is set to play two group-stage matches in Inglewood, Calif. (June 15 and 21) before closing group play in Seattle on June 26. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Iran #officials #aim #meet #FIFA #discuss #World #Cup #issuesNov 29, 2022; Doha, Qatar; Iran defender Abolfazl Jalali (25) dribbles the ball against the United States of America during the second half of a group stage match during the 2022 World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-Imagn Images

Soccer officials from Iran are intent on meeting with FIFA’s leadership about its upcoming World Cup matches in the United States.

Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s soccer administration, informed Iranian media Friday that the country’s soccer leadership has issues it wants to discuss with the international governing body. Iran was the only FIFA federation among the 211 member countries without representation at this week’s FIFA congress in Vancouver.

That meeting is expected to happen before May 20 at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, the Associated Press reported.

Taj gave further insight to an incident this week when he and the other traveling members of the Iran delegation had issues getting into Toronto while on the way to Vancouver for the FIFA congress. Canadian immigration authorities questioned Taj about ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

They were reportedly detained for two hours before being told they could continue on to Vancouver but instead elected to leave the country.


“We all had visas and were even checked in Turkey. They told us they had questions for you and asked if we were members of the IRGC,” Taj said, according to Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim.

“We told them that there are 90 million IRGC members in Iran. They said that we don’t allow people from this organization in. They said that it is the laws of our country.

“After a while, they said you can enter but we decided to return. They didn’t deport us and we decided to return ourselves… I told the Canadians that you kept us at the ?airport ?for three hours, you made us wait for nothing.”

There has been much speculation about whether Iran would be able and/or willing to participate in this summer’s World Cup in North America in the aftermath of the U.S. and Israel launching a dual military attack against Iran in February.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said at Thursday’s annual congress that Iran will be coming to the U.S. and playing as scheduled in the event. This goes against Iran’s request in March for its matches to be moved to Mexico.

Iran, which is in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, is scheduled to have its base camp set up in Tucson, Ariz. The team is set to play two group-stage matches in Inglewood, Calif. (June 15 and 21) before closing group play in Seattle on June 26.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Iran #officials #aim #meet #FIFA #discuss #World #Cup #issues">Deadspin | Iran officials aim to meet with FIFA, discuss World Cup issues Nov 29, 2022; Doha, Qatar; Iran defender Abolfazl Jalali (25) dribbles the ball against the United States of America during the second half of a group stage match during the 2022 World Cup at Al Thumama Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-Imagn Images Soccer officials from Iran are intent on meeting with FIFA’s leadership about its upcoming World Cup matches in the United States. Mehdi Taj, president of Iran’s soccer administration, informed Iranian media Friday that the country’s soccer leadership has issues it wants to discuss with the international governing body. Iran was the only FIFA federation among the 211 member countries without representation at this week’s FIFA congress in Vancouver. That meeting is expected to happen before May 20 at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, the Associated Press reported. Taj gave further insight to an incident this week when he and the other traveling members of the Iran delegation had issues getting into Toronto while on the way to Vancouver for the FIFA congress. Canadian immigration authorities questioned Taj about ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). They were reportedly detained for two hours before being told they could continue on to Vancouver but instead elected to leave the country. “We all had visas and were even checked in Turkey. They told us they had questions for you and asked if we were members of the IRGC,” Taj said, according to Iran’s semi-official news agency Tasnim. “We told them that there are 90 million IRGC members in Iran. They said that we don’t allow people from this organization in. They said that it is the laws of our country. “After a while, they said you can enter but we decided to return. They didn’t deport us and we decided to return ourselves… I told the Canadians that you kept us at the ?airport ?for three hours, you made us wait for nothing.” There has been much speculation about whether Iran would be able and/or willing to participate in this summer’s World Cup in North America in the aftermath of the U.S. and Israel launching a dual military attack against Iran in February. FIFA president Gianni Infantino said at Thursday’s annual congress that Iran will be coming to the U.S. and playing as scheduled in the event. This goes against Iran’s request in March for its matches to be moved to Mexico. Iran, which is in Group G alongside New Zealand, Belgium and Egypt, is scheduled to have its base camp set up in Tucson, Ariz. The team is set to play two group-stage matches in Inglewood, Calif. (June 15 and 21) before closing group play in Seattle on June 26. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Iran #officials #aim #meet #FIFA #discuss #World #Cup #issues

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