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U.S. Investigation Into Global Anti-Doping Agency Continues Under Trump
@Source: berkshireeagle.com
The Justice Department and FBI investigation into whether the global anti-doping authority and China covered up the positive tests of Chinese Olympic swimmers who went on to win medals at the past two Summer Games has continued under the Trump administration, according to a draft document obtained by The New York Times.
The document, which the World Anti-Doping Agency plans to provide to its executive committee for a meeting this month, said that federal officials interviewed an employee of the agency who is a U.S. citizen Feb. 12 as part of the continuing investigation.
The investigation began under the Biden administration after the Times and a German broadcaster revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned substance before the 2021 Olympics but that neither Chinese authorities nor WADA had disclosed the results or taken any action against the swimmers.
In the final days of his first administration, President Donald Trump signed into law a measure giving U.S. authorities the power to pursue doping allegations across borders. The focus of the investigation, involving possible Chinese corruption and wrongdoing by an international organization, is among matters that Trump and his administration have signaled they are deeply interested in.
The latest development about the investigation was revealed in a section titled "U.S. Situation" in a 255-page draft report WADA plans to provide to its executive committee members. Its author was listed as Olivier Niggli, WADA's director general.
The document said that the interview of the WADA employee was conducted on a voluntary basis and done "in the presence of our U.S. counsel."
The document also indicated that the United States, which is the largest funder to WADA, still has not paid its dues to the organization. The funding cutoff was initiated under the Biden administration in response to WADA's handling of the doping allegations and apparently has continued under Trump. Relations between WADA and the United States remain strained, according to the document.
In response to the withholding of the funds, WADA has suspended all U.S. officials from its board and other top committees.
The fact that the investigation is continuing suggests that no resolution is imminent despite the change of administrations in Washington.
This article originally appeared in The New York Times.
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