The United States has paid its $800,000 2003 dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Dick Pound, head of WADA, said Monday the payment meant a “very encouraging sign of the commitment this government is willing to make to the fight against doping”.
Pound had accused the U.S. of showing no interest in the fight against performance-enhancing drugs in sports.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it would consider refusing accreditation to next summer’s Athens Games or withholding invitations to government officials and VIPS from delinquent countries. Pound had previously said the United States, Italy and Ukraine were among the major countries yet to pay annual WADA annual dues.
The IOC also said countries could be barred from bidding for the Olympics if they fail to pay their dues. New York is one of nine cities bidding for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games and its bid had been threatened.
