US investigation into global anti doping agency continues under Trump

NEW YORK – The Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into whether the global anti-doping authority and China covered up the positive tests of Chinese Olympic swimmers who went on to win medals at the past two Summer Games has continued under the Trump administration, according to a draft document obtained by The New York Times.

The document, which the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) plans to provide to its executive committee for a meeting later in March, said that federal officials interviewed an employee of the agency who is a United States citizen on Feb 12 as part of the continuing investigation.

The investigation began under the Biden administration after the Times and a German broadcaster revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned substance before the 2020 Olympics, but that neither Chinese authorities nor Wada had disclosed the results or taken any action against the swimmers.

In the final days of his first administration, President Donald Trump signed into law a measure giving US authorities the power to pursue doping allegations across borders.

The focus of the investigation, involving possible Chinese corruption and wrongdoing by an international organisation, is among matters that Mr Trump and his administration have signalled they are deeply interested in.

The latest development about the investigation was revealed in a section titled “US Situation” in a 255-page draft report that Wada plans to provide to its executive committee members. Its author was listed as Olivier Niggli, Wada’s director general.

The document said that the interview of the Wada employee was conducted on a voluntary basis and done “in the presence of our US counsel”.

The document also indicated that the United States, which is the largest funder to Wada, still has not paid its dues to the organisation.

The funding