Wada’s Witold Banka asks Usada to help stop enhanced gaming

Banka said he was “very keen” to work with the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) but “it must be based on mutual respect”, with tensions between the two organizations rising recently.

Earlier this year, USAID said it “fully supports” the US government’s decision to withhold a $3.6m (£2.8m) payment to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

This came during a dispute over the handling of a doping scandal involving Chinese swimmers who were allowed to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, despite testing positive for a banned substance months earlier.

An independent investigation concluded that WADA did not mishandle the case and did not show bias towards the 23 swimmers.

“We really want our colleagues from the United States to do more to make sure this event does not happen,” Banka added on Thursday.

“There are some legal possibilities they can push for. USADA has made public comments, but maybe it’s time to try to convince the people who funded this of the seriousness of this matter.”

“this [Usada’s] Role and responsibility because the event will be held in Las Vegas.”