News/Commentary

New rule could ban Trump from global sporting events like the Olympics, even in the US

March 18, 2026 | | Print Article

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is considering pursuing a policy that would effectively bar all U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, from attending major international sports events.

If enacted, the rule would mean Trump and other officials wouldn’t be allowed to attend the World Cup this summer and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

According to the Associated Press, WADA’s interest in instituting the rule stems from the U.S. government’s refusal to pay its annual WADA fees.

“The U.S. has held back a total of $7.3 million over 2024 and 2025 in protest of WADA’s handling of a number of issues over the years,” the AP notes.

The most recent “issue” to stir up concern among U.S. officials involved “Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete despite testing positive for a banned substance.”

Yet instead of going after the Chinese swimmers, WADA regulators decided to conclude that the swimmers had been accidentally contaminated by the unnamed substance.

ADVERTISEMENT

Trump, for his part, signed a bill in February that called for the U.S. government to stop paying annual dues to the WADA because of China’s suspected influence over the whole operation.

The bill further stipulated that payments to WADA would not resume until an audit is “conducted by external anti-doping experts” and proves that WADA is “operating consistent with their duties.”

Note that this is not a political issue because both Democrats and Republicans disapprove of WADA. In addition, the organization was also an issue during the Biden administration.

WADA has rejected the calls for an audit.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking at a news conference at the Winter Olympics last month, WADA president Witold Banka complained about all the other audits that WADA currently faces and argued that enough is enough.

“I don’t know any other international organization with such strong auditing mechanisms, so I think there are no obstacles for our friends from the U.S. to fulfill their duties and pay the contributions,” he said, as reported by the AP.

“I think it fulfills the expectations or the wishes from the U.S. side, and the most important thing, in principle, the contribution is not conditional. That is the thing which is extremely important for us,” he added.

Sara Carter, the director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, pushed back at the time by releasing a statement reiterating the president’s belief in “supporting U.S. athletes and ensuring fair competition in sports.”

“The United States will not be bullied or manipulated into paying dues to WADA until such is achieved,” she added.

ADVERTISEMENT

Carter’s Biden-era predecessor, Rahul Gupta, concurred with her.

“They should be really careful to go up against the United States Congress,” he said to the AP. “It’s never a good idea to go up against a bipartisan Congress where both sides of the aisle definitely want this to happen.”

Meanwhile, on social media, many Americans say WADA should go to hell:

ADVERTISEMENT

Vivek Saxena
Latest posts by Vivek Saxena (see all)

Comment

We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.

Latest Articles