The United States has finished paying its 2021 dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) after the adoption of governance reforms of the organization approved a few weeks ago, WADA said Thursday.
Last July, Washington, which maintains strained relations with WADA, made the payment of the second half of its financial contribution (a total of $ 2.9 million) conditional on the implementation of these reforms.
“I welcome the decision to pay the second installment of its 2021 contribution to WADA“Agency President Witold Banka said in a statement.”This is a clear demonstration of the US government’s support for WADA’s global collaborative mission for doping-free sport.“, he added.
Concretely, these new rules, approved at a meeting of WADA in Paris in November, modify the composition of the bodies. Thus, the Executive Committee will include an additional independent member as well as an elected member of the Athletes Committee. On the foundation board, there will be two new members from national anti-doping agencies and two places for athletes.
The reforms were welcomed by Rahul Gupta, director of the US drug strategy office, who was confirmed in his post in October after being appointed by President Joe Biden in July last year. Witold Banka referred to positive discussions with Rahul Gupta in November, welcoming the contributions “constructivefrom the latter to the WADA Board of Directors meeting. In 2021, the total budget of the World Anti-Doping Agency was $ 43.4 million.
–
