Published: 09:06, January 11, 2025
WADA confirms US loses executive committee seat for unpaid funding
By Xinhua
This file photo dated Nov 11, 2021 shows the offices of the World Anti-Doping Agency in Montreal. (PHOTO / AFP)

BEIJING - 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 US failed to pay its contribution of $3.62 million for 2024, which accounted for 14 percent 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 US will lose its seat in the executive committee.

READ MORE: WADA calls for 'root and branch reforms' of US anti-doping system

WADA's overall budget for 2025 has been approved at $57.5 million.