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≡ THE 5-RING CIRCUS ≡
● Anti-Doping ● The U.S. Senate’s Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee advanced S. 233 – Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act of 2025 – out of committee and to the Senate floor for consideration on Wednesday. The bill would permanently provide the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy authority to withhold membership dues payable to WADA if it fails to ensure athletes are competing in drug-free Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The bill’s primary backer, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) said in a statement:
“Since the [2021] Chinese doping scandal came to light, WADA has done everything it can to intimidate advocates for fair play and stonewall Congress.
“With the Commerce Committee passing my bipartisan Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act, we have sent a message to WADA that accountability and oversight are coming. We won’t be silenced by WADA or any international organization that tries to strong arm the United States in our mission to promote fair play in sports.”
U.S. Anti-Doping Agency head Travis Tygart added:
“We are more optimistic than ever that WADA will be fixed, and U.S. taxpayer funding will not be wasted by continuing to fund an organization lacking independence, transparency, and accountability.
“There can be no double standards when it comes to fairness in Olympic and Paralympic sport, and while we all want a strong, independent WADA, it has a long way to go to regain the confidence of all stakeholders, including the U.S. government, as evidenced by the approval of this act. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games soon to be held in the U.S., now is the time to make sure that we’re investing in truly fair sport and giving clean athletes a chance to win the right way.”
A companion bill has been introduced in the U.S. House.
● Athletics ● In a video interview, Jamaican shot star Rajinda Campbell, the Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, explained his application to change allegiance to Turkey. Speaking about the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association:
“I don’t believe that they really understand that it is challenging, one, for track and field. We are not sprinters. So obviously, and I can say, I am still un-sponsored. Yeah. Yeah. You know the adidas contract that the J3 refused to sign? It would have made Track Jamaica 100 times better than where we are now. There were bonuses that benefitted the athlete, not the federation. There were certain things they wouldn’t have control over because it would be directed to the athlete, based on my understanding. And they went against that.
“So, in my eyes, they don’t care about us. So [I decided], it’s time to start. I literally started the year with the mindset of, ‘Yo, this year I’m doing it for me.’ Yeah. As a result, this is the decision I had to make.”
● Cross Country Skiing ● The German ski federation said Wednesday that Victoria Carl, 29, an Olympic Team Sprint gold and 4 x 5 km relay silver at Beijing 2022, tested positive at the World Military Games in March for the prohibited substance clenbuterol.
The Associated Press reported that Carl – the FIS World Cup runner-up in 2025 – “was erroneously given the combination drug Spasmo Mucosolvan containing ambroxol and clenbuterol instead of Mucosolvan containing just ambroxol.” The case is now in the hands of the German anti-doping agency, which will decide on suspensions and possible sanctions.
● Cycling ● Add USA Cycling to the U.S. National Governing Bodies integrating Paralympic sport:
“[T]he U.S. Paralympics Cycling program will officially become part of USA Cycling beginning on July 1, 2025.
“Up to now, USA Cycling and U.S. Paralympics Cycling were operating as two separate entities, collaborating on select initiatives while independently pursuing World, Olympic, and Paralympic medals. After careful consideration, key stakeholders from both organizations agreed that bringing together these two high-performing programs would strengthen support for current and future generations of athletes and maximize performance across all cycling disciplines.
“This move is fueled by a shared belief: integrating Paralympic and Olympic programs within a single National Governing Body creates the best pathway for sustained long-term success. Bringing all Olympic and Paralympic cycling operations together will enhance athlete support, streamline resources, and drive innovation across every discipline.”
● Surfing ● USA Surfing, in a battle with U.S. Ski & Snowboard to be certified by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport, told The Associated Press that the group has received a multi-million-dollar endowment.
Executive Director Becky Fleischauer told the AP that “USA Surfing has struck multiyear deals for financial backing from Kamaka Responsible Development, which builds housing communities, and with Orange County-based surf company Resin Services. Kamaka also plans to develop a wave pool that can be used for year-round training for USA Surfing athletes.”
Funding has been a weakness for USA Surfing in its application, but it has the backing of the U.S.-resident International Surfing Association.
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