Bill Overview
Title: Restoring Confidence to the World Anti-Doping Agency Act of 2022
Description: This bill modifies the authority of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) with respect to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Specifically, the ONDCP, in conjunction with USADA, must use all available tools to ensure that WADA maintains a proper conflict-of-interest policy and that independent athletes from the United States and other democratic countries, or representatives of such athletes, have voting positions on the Executive Committee and governing bodies of WADA; demonstrate leadership within the global community; have strict standards that work toward countering the state-sponsored doping system of the Russian Federation and other state-sponsored, systemic fraud through doping; and work collaboratively with democratic countries. The bill requires the United States to have at least one seat on the Executive Committee of WADA as a condition of its participation in WADA.
Sponsors: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Target Audience
Population: Athletes participating in international sports competitions
Estimated Size: 80000
- The bill impacts athletes globally as it deals with the authority and governance of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which sets anti-doping standards for international sports.
- Athletes from democratic countries, especially those who might gain or lose influence through voting positions, are directly impacted.
- The legislation's insistence on countering state-sponsored doping, particularly from Russia, impacts Russian athletes and potentially athletes from other nations engaged in state-sponsored doping.
- Collaboration requirement with democratic countries implies these nations and their athletes will be affected by ensuing policy changes.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily targets athletes participating in international sports competitions, directly influencing those subject to anti-doping regulations.
- The U.S. has a distinct interest, aiming to ensure American athletes have a voice in international anti-doping policy through governance roles.
- Budget constraints mean the policy is focused on governance and preventing state-sponsored doping, rather than on direct athlete support programs.
- Some individuals, like amateur athletes or those not competing internationally, may not experience significant impacts.
Simulated Interviews
professional track and field athlete (California)
Age: 23 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy is a step in the right direction to ensure fair play.
- Having an American seat on the WADA Executive Committee makes me feel more represented.
- I'm optimistic about reducing state-sponsored doping.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
retired professional cyclist (Texas)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the increased regulation but fear it won't change enough from my experience.
- More voices in WADA is good, but it needs enforcement too.
- State-sponsored doping needs serious crackdowns.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
sports journalist (Colorado)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This legislation ensures transparency, which is crucial for my work.
- Glad to see a step towards ethical sportsmanship internationally.
- Hope it will lead to more investigative journalism opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
amateur triathlete (Florida)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's great American athletes will represent us at WADA.
- The issue seems distant to my personal competitions, but I support fairness.
- I hope it trickles down to amateur sports someday.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
sports policy advisor (New York)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased U.S. presence in WADA is essential for safeguarding athlete interests.
- Ensuring ethical leadership in anti-doping is long overdue.
- It might strengthen my consultations and recommendations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
high school swimmer (Illinois)
Age: 18 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every effort against doping increases my future prospects in the sport.
- It's good knowing there are steps taken for clean competition globally.
- Not sure how this policy impacts high school athletes directly though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
international basketball player (Washington)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I welcome any measures to fight doping as it ensures equal opportunities.
- Having Americans on the WADA board makes me feel represented.
- Curious to see tangible results from this policy move in the next few years.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
retired athletics coach (Georgia)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finally, U.S. athletes have direct say-so in global anti-doping.
- The policy could cultivate trust lost in the international sports scene.
- Hopeful but cautious, as change takes time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
paralympian (Nevada)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 1/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's encouraging that the policy pushes for more inclusivity, although I'm unsure of its impact on para-sports.
- Clean competition is crucial, and more governance might lead to real changes.
- Happy to see state-sponsored doping being directly addressed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
athletic trainer (Alaska)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This enhances the protection of what I teach about fair sports.
- Seeing practical steps against doping practices reassures our work is validated.
- Immediate local effects seem minimal, but long-run it sets a precedent.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5150000 (Low: $3090000, High: $7210000)
Year 3: $5304500 (Low: $3182700, High: $7426300)
Year 5: $5612435 (Low: $3365171, High: $7856929)
Year 10: $6153983 (Low: $3692389, High: $8615577)
Year 100: $12800870 (Low: $7680522, High: $17921218)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of U.S. influence on WADA could have broader global impacts on doping culture.
- Costs related to maintaining a seat on WADA's Executive Committee and ensuring policy compliance are critical to evaluate.
- International collaboration can either enhance or complicate the implementation based on participating countries' commitment.