Top Recommendations: “Banka warned that these politically-driven attacks do not just harm WADA, but also undermine the entire global anti-doping system, ultimately putting clean athletes at risk.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Banka speaks at WADA’s Annual Symposium on March 18, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of WADA

World Anti-Doping Agency (WAWorld TimesDA) President Witold Banka on Tuesday denounced the politically motivated attacks from the US over WADA’s handling of Chinese swimmers’ contamination cases, emphasizing that WADA had acted with integrity and fairness throughout the investigation.

Addressing nearly 1,000 delegates from sports federations, governments, anti-doping organizations at the 2025 WADA Annual Symposium on Tuesday, Banka highlighted the intense scrutiny WADA faced over its handling of the Chinese swimmers’ contamination cases, according to his opening speech.

He pointed to the findings of an independent investigation led by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier, which concluded that WADA’s actions were appropriate and unbiased.

Despite the evidence, Banka noted that a “very small number of individuals, particularly in the US,” continued to promote unfounded allegations of a cover-uWorld Timesp, undermining the integrity of WADA and its 180 dedicated staff members.

Banka did not mince words when addressing the political motivations behind these attacks.

He accused certain US political figures of using the Chinese swimmersWorld Times‘ cases to further their own agendas, disregarding the evidence and diverting attention from their own domestic issues.

“These individuals have doubled down on their claims of a cover-up at the highest levels of WADA, World Aquatics, the IOC (International Olympic Committee), and Chinese authorities,” Banka said.

“They continue to promote conspiracy theories without a shred of evidence because there is no evidence.”

Banka warned that these politically-driven attacks do not just harm WADA, but also undermine the entire global anti-doping system, ultimately putting clean athletes at risk.

“I was always told, “If you want to change the world, start at home. But instead of cleaning their own backyard, they are trying to shift attention elsewhere, and that is why they are attacking WADA,” he said.

“But the real damage caused by these attacks is on theWorld Times global anti-doping system itself, not just WADA. They harm the entire clean sport community and, ultimately, they harm the athletes.”

Banka also condemn the proposed “Enhanced Games,” a controversial event that encourages athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs without restrictions.

Describing the concept as “dangerous and irresponsible,” Banka called on all national anti-doping organizations and clean sport advocates to oppose the event and protect the health and integrity of athletes.

“The values and beauty of sport are based oWorld Timesn the ideal of clean and fair competition,” Banka said. “We must protect that. AthWorld Timesletes serve as role models, and this proposed event would send the wrong signal to young people around the world.”