Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee is holding an Oversight Subcommittee hearing anti-doping measures ahead of the 2024 Olympic games. Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) joined Spectrum News to highlight the importance of this hearing.

Highlights and excerpts from the interview below: 

“[This] is an oversight hearing to ask tough questions to ensure transparency and accountability and give people here at home, and around the world, the confidence that the rules are being followed.”  

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“The United States contributes millions of dollars to the World Anti-Doping Agency, and it's important that we are getting answers.” 

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“Our athletes train for years. They dedicate their lives to training and participating and being able to compete at the Olympics and our responsibility is to ensure that this is a level playing field.” 

“That's why we're holding this hearing, so that we can root on the best of the best from the United States as they compete in Paris at the Olympics.” 

Background: 

• The Committee’s hearing comes after the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) allowed 11 Chinese swimmers to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite testing positive for banned performance-enhancing substances in the lead up to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. 
• The United States is the primary funder of WADA, contributing over $3 million of taxpayer money this past year alone. 
• WADA President Witold Banka was invited to testify but declined. 

Hearing Details:

DATE: Tuesday, June 25, 2024  

TIME: 7:00 PM ET  

LOCATION: 2123 Rayburn House Office Building  

CONFIRMED WITNESSES:

• Mr. Michael Phelps, Olympic Athlete
• Ms. Allison Schmitt, Olympic Athlete  
• Mr. Travis Tygart, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency

Click here for more coverage on the hearing.