Tensions between global anti-doping bodies have intensified as the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accused the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of trying to “smear America” amid controversy surrounding the pro-doping Enhanced Games. The event, set to take place in Las Vegas next year, has divided opinion across the sporting world, raising serious questions about ethics, safety, and the future of fair competition.
The USADA president criticized WADA for using the Enhanced Games debate as a distraction from its alleged mishandling of the Chinese swimming scandal in 2021, where 23 positive drug tests were reportedly suppressed. He accused WADA of attempting to shift blame away from its own failures by targeting US anti-doping authorities and athletes. According to USADA, the ongoing public attacks are an effort to deflect attention from the international agency’s credibility issues and its controversial decisions in past doping cases.
The dispute comes after years of tension between the two organizations. An independent review into the 2021 scandal previously highlighted WADA’s “disorganization” but found no evidence of bias. Nevertheless, USADA has continued to question the agency’s transparency and leadership, especially regarding the enforcement of anti-doping policies in major global competitions.
USADA insisted that the Enhanced Games — a proposed event allowing athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs — have no connection to its athletes or any official sporting bodies in the United States. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring clean and fair competition, particularly ahead of major international events like the FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
In response, WADA described the hosting of the Enhanced Games on US soil as “an embarrassment,” suggesting that USADA’s reluctance to align with global anti-doping efforts undermines the fight against doping. The agency emphasized its strong stance against any event promoting drug use in sport and called for international unity in preserving the integrity of athletic competition.
As the dispute continues, the controversy underscores deep divisions in the global anti-doping community. With the Enhanced Games approaching, the debate over ethics, fairness, and athlete safety is expected to intensify in the coming months.
