BEIJING, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed that the United States automatically loses its seat on the organization's executive committee for refusing to pay its annual funding.
WADA said the U.S. failed to pay its contribution of 3.62 million U.S. dollars for 2024, which accounted for 14% of WADA's budget.
"The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirms that it did not receive the agreed contribution to WADA's 2024 budget from the Government of the United States by the deadline of 31 December 2024," WADA said in an email.
According to Article 6.6 of the WADA Statutes, "Public Authority representatives from a country which has not paid its dues are ineligible to sit on the Foundation Board or the Executive Committee."
Therefore, the U.S. will lose its seat in the executive committee.
WADA's overall budget for 2025 has been approved at 57.5 million U.S. dollars. ■