Bańka, a former Polish sprinter and sports minister in the right-wing populist Law and Justice governments of Beata Szydło and Mateusz Morawiecki, and Yang, a Chinese Olympic gold medallist, were reappointed during WADA’s Foundation Board meeting on Thursday, according to Reuters.
Their re-election follows 2023 governance reforms that lifted previous term limits and eligibility restrictions, allowing both to serve beyond the traditional two-term cap.
The decision has drawn criticism from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), which described the move as a "bait and switch," arguing it undermines WADA's commitment to governance reform. USADA and other critics contend that the changes dilute efforts to increase transparency and athlete representation within the organization.
In response, Bańka emphasized WADA's dedication to clean sport, stating that under his leadership, the agency has made significant strides in science, education, and intelligence efforts. He pledged to continue enhancing the athlete experience and strengthening the global anti-doping system in the upcoming term.
According to Polish daily Rzeczpospolita, Bańka faced criticism over alleged bias - given that his deputy is China’s Yang Yang - and a lack of transparency, after The New York Times and Germany’s ARD revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for banned substances ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. The timing of the revelation, just months before the Paris Games, led some observers to suspect it was politically motivated, possibly linked to U.S. intelligence sources.
Despite these assurances, the U.S. government has withheld its annual $3.6 million contribution to WADA, citing the need for concrete reforms to rebuild trust in the global anti-doping system, according to the Associated Press.
(mp)
Source: AP/Reuters/Rzeczpospolita/ARD/The New York Times/WADA/USADA/X/@usantidoping