The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) was recognized by the President and Congress of the United States as the official anti-doping agency for Olympic, Pan American, and Paralympic sport in the United States, USADA Chief Executive Officer Terry Madden announced Tuesday.
“With the United States Congress identifying USADA as the official national anti-doping agency for Olympic sports, it provide additional strength and stature for USADA, both domestically and internationally, in the fight against doping in sport,” said Madden.
The passing of Public Law 107-67 (section 644) last month calls for USADA to be known as the ‘official anti-doping agency for Olympic, Pan American and Paralympic sport in the United States.’ The recognition was included in the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2002, and became public law when President George W. Bush signed the act.
Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado secured significant funding for USADA and authored the language that makes USADA the official anti-doping agency for Olympic sports.
“USADA has taken the worldwide lead in Olympic anti-doping and will serve our country well as our official anti-doping agency. USADA’s official recognition, and the funds that were included in the Treasury and General Government Appropriations act, will go a long way toward combating the use of illegal substances in the Olympic Games,” said Campbell, captain of the 1964 U.S. Olympic judo team.
USADA is the independent anti-doping agency for Olympic sports in the United States, and is responsible for managing the testing and adjudication process for U.S. Olympic, Pan Am, and Paralympic athletes. USADA is equally dedicated to preserving the integrity of sport through research initiatives and educational programs.
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