With the Paris Olympics coming closer, the WADA and USADA are being ravaged by controversies. The USADA recently hit back at the WADA for their unprofessional handling of several Chinese swimmers who were found to possess an illegal drug in their blood. On the contrary, things have not been running smoothly for the USADA as well. In a bid to improve their testing procedures ahead of Paris, the USADA brought in some new changes. These exact changes seem to have backfired as athletes are not at all content with it. 

Notable names like Noah Lyles and Sha’Carri Richardson have voiced their discontent against USADA’s hazardous testing policy. Joining in as the latest to bash the organization, Twanisha Terry recently expressed her opinion that was not at all pleasant for the USADA to hear. 

USADA testing programs irks top US athletes 

USADA usually conducts its tests at odd hours to catch the athletes off guard and ensure fair competition. However, such a practice often makes things difficult. For example, the US sprint icon, Noah Lyles was drained to the core after running at the Bahamas Relays. However, to his surprise, Lyles found out that he had to stay without food for an extended period as the USADA came to collect his samples. 

Highlighting the glaring issue, Olympian Twanisha Terry took to her X account to reflect on the same. She wrote, “I really don’t understand the logic of introducing a new testing system during the Olympic year and now introducing a new update that has so many errors.” She further pointed out the upcoming tests as Terry said, “…mind you quarter whereabouts are also due in a few days. Start playing around with the update now and double check your entries.” 

In order to further boost their safety protocols, USADA has partnered with Epicore’s Discovery Patch. This will help them collect raw sweat samples directly from the athlete’s body without the risk of tampering. While such an initiative is praiseworthy, oftentimes, the over-activeness of the organization has become a thing to worry about. Take Sha’Carri Richardson for example. 

Sha’Carri Richardson gets her Easter celebrations hampered 

Sha’Carri Richardson was enjoying her Easter in full flow when the USADA team arrived at her doorstep. With no other alternative left, Richardson had to leave the festivities to cooperate with the testing officers. However, this was not the first time Richardson was caught off guard.

During her Olympic shoot for Nike in Paris too, Richardson was bugged by the USADA team and had to oblige them by providing her samples. Well, Sha’Carri Richardson, although a bit bothered, calmly adhered to all the testing protocols this year. This was because she had in the back of her mind the demons of the past.

In what was a shocking outcome, Richardson was banned from participating in the Tokyo Olympics after being found with the presence of THC in her blood. Thus, with USADA leveling up their testing game, the athletes surely are having a tough time. However, it can be said that such rigorous practices are a boon in disguise as they would provide the athletes with the security of appearing in the Olympics with a clean slate.