Transcripts For CSPAN Michael Phelps Testifies On Doping In International Sports 20170304

Enforced, and a lot of programs were eliminated under that obama administration. I think cspan should consider subjects that are all important and not to the start and listen to every media that they just want to cause harm and slow down the process of improvements to provide better economy, jobs, and for the citizens and legal immigrants of our country. And i support the enforcement of this immigration law. It should be fair. You should not side with somebody and worse, those are mostly illegals whose purpose is to harm and kill our citizens. Host and that is our program for today. We have a quick look at tomorrows show. Robert dixie with the Concord Coalition and sam kolender will be here to discuss president trumps 2018 budget outline release this past week. Will take antin look at the annual list of 10 breakthrough technologies, as well as the expected impact. That is tomorrow at 8 00 a. M. Enjoy the rest of your saturday. [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2017] next, Gold Medalist Michael Phelps testifies before a House Committee on ways to improve the International Doping system. Then the Supreme Court oral playedts on whether race a part in redistricting. After that, oral argument in esa on whether a mexican family can to the Border Patrol on the killing of an unarmed boy. Now, the house hearing on the way to improve the interNational Antidoping system. Among those testifying, Michael Phelps. This is two hours and 25 minutes. Good morning and welcome to this hearing of the oversight investigation subcommittee on ways to improve and strengthen the interNational Antidoping system. The subcommittee convenes to examine the current state of this system, challenges it faces in areas for reform. On the heels of the summer games in rio, less than a year away from the games in pyeongchang , there is no better time to evaluate the progress made thus far. How fitting were holding this hearing on february 28, the greatest olympic athlete of all time who has won 28 medals before us today. I wasnt referring to you, mr. Griffith. I was referring to Michael Phelps. Every two years nations are filled with excitement and pride as they cheer on their athletes of the summer and winter games, it has been a longstanding tradition that should not be tarnished by those that choose to cheat. Ultimately, i hope this hearing hopes to highlight ways we can strengthen clean competition and restore Public Confidence in International Sports. Within the antidoping community, there are concerns regarding structure and the how the Current System creates an environment where individuals are both policing and promoting sport. Conflicts of interest stemming from the antidoping industries or wada exist as decisionmakers simultaneously hold a policy making position within a Sports Organization. Such conflicts can have real and perceived effects on the rigorous investigations of possible violations as well as the enforcement of antidoping measures. Several antidoping experts have publicly stated that wada lacks sufficient independence from sports itself. Recent proposals have suggested removing Sports Organizations from government structures to improve independence and operations. Today, we went to evaluate those we want to evaluate those concerns, and discuss the proposal reforms. Further, there needs to be an established decisionmaking process and embodiment when it comes to sanctions. As we saw in rio, the buck was passed multiple times between the International Olympic committee and the National Antidoping organizations and International Sports federations as to where and who was in charge of making the decisions and whether or not athletes would be allowed to participate in the summer games. Sanctions, and bans on athletes, coaches and antidoping laboratories vary from short to lifetime. There does not seem to be a clear guideline. We need to ensure that the system is fair, that the punishment is appropriate, and particularly when the athlete knowingly cheated. The general public depend oz on depends on the governing bodies of International Sports to ensure cheating does not become the accepted norm, and this is particularly important for our youth. Additionally, recent events highlight the need to examine potential improvements with respect to utilizing athletes as partners in the antidoping effort, as well as whistleblower protections. There will always be athletes or institutions that do is an attempt to gain an unfair competitive advantage. Athletes and whistleblowers are often the first to see the problems at the ground level and are critical to identify and investigate violations. Therefore, it bears questioning whether the Current System does enough to encourage, embrace and protect those fighting for clean sport. While many meetings have occurred since the rio games, challenges remain and progress toward meaningful reform remains unclear. This hearing provides an opportunity to learn from past mistakes and examine opportunities to move forward in a way that will improve the interNational Antidoping system so that it is affected, there, nimble for the sake of athletes clean sport and integrity of the International Competition using the Olympic Games. Finally, some ask why congress is doing a hearing on sports rules, and it is because it is a matter of multibillion dollar sports economy . Maybe. In part it may be that. But for the most part, i believe, that it is very important we send the right message to the youth and future athletes of the world, that cheating is not acceptable on any level, economy, trade or in sports. We welcome our allstar panel of Witnesses Today. Your appearance before this subcommittee is vital for us to have an honest discussion. With key decisionmakers, were also excited to have mr. Phelps and mr. Nelson with us today to share the athletes perspective. These gentlemen compete at the highest level and invaluable insights into the problems and challenges that face the Current System and unique perspective on improvements that can be made. I would like to thank our witnesses for appearing today and look forward to an informative discussion. Now i yield five minutes to miss degette. Degette thank you, mr. Chairman. Another doping scandal has shaken the world, a scheme to circumvent doping controls relied on by the Global Sports community to ensure clean sport. After unfortunate delays in investigating serious claims made by courageous whistleblowers, the World Antidoping Agency or wada eventually launched investigations into allegations that russia was systematically involved in doping. In july, and december of last year, professor richard mclaren, the person commissioned by wada as the independent expert tasked with looking into these allegations, released his findings. What wadas independent investigations reported was a systematic effort by russia to help its athletes both dope and circumvent doping controls. The doping was widespread according to wadas report. Implicating the London Olympic games, sochi Olympic Games, the iaaf World Championships, and many other international events. Frankly, well probably never know the full extent of the cheating and who benefited as many as 1,000 russian athletes across at least 30 sports may have benefitted from this effort according to wadas investigation. Wadas inquiry also found that the very agencies created to police sport from doping , including the russian National Antidoping agency, were itself having, helping to cheat. Even Russias Federal Security Service or fsb played a role. Russias behavior raises troubling questions about how the Global Sports community should sanction doping violators and whether they are actually committed to that fact. For example, because wadas investigative findings were made weeks before the start of rio games, confusion surfaced about russia, whether russia should collectively be banned from rio. Wada recommended to the ioc that it prohibit the entire russian delegation from participating. But rather than implement that recommendation, the ioc punted that decision to the International Sports federations who were not all equipped to take on that sudden task. In the end, what ensued was a muddled process some viewed as sending a very, very weak message to the cheaters. Even today, im frankly not sure whose job it was to hold russia accountable for the events conveyed in wadas investigation. Just last month, for example, several National Antidoping organizations met in dublin and petitioned that russia be banned from hosting existing and future International Sporting events, until the country comes back into compliance with wadas recommendations. But what if anything will happen to those recommendations . I understand the ioc has created two commissions to explore the findings of wadas independent investigation. Well, i support due process when it comes to athletes possibly implicated in the investigations. I believe there is enough evidence reported in wadas investigations to warrant a strong message from the ioc. If you cheat, you do not play. Of course, wadas findings also raised concerns about wada itself. How did this cheating scheme persist for so long undetected, for example . Is wada organized to catch cheating Going Forward . Does it have sufficient resources to police sport and prevent such a conspiracy from happening again . Following the russian revelations, the number of National Antidoping organizations met in copenhagen late last year and put forth some recommendations that could enhance wadas ability to keep sports clean. These recommendations include addressing certain conflicts of interest within wada, and clarifying the agencys authority to investigate doping and sanction violators. It is unclear what has happened to these recommendations, but i do believe that they may be a possible blueprint in moving forward. I also believe we have to examine whether wada has the resources to do the job. As i said before, wadas entire budget is a mere 30 million. And the u. S. , which is the largest contributor, provides a mere 2 million. The mclaren investigation alone will cost 2 million. So clearly we need investigation into this. I want to welcome our witnesses, in particular our two athletes who are here, mr. Nelson and mr. Phelps. I think your perspective will really help us. I also think we should thank wada itself, including richard pound and richard mclaren, for their work. And i especially want to commend mr. Tygart and usada for the tireless work in this investigation. It is an unfortunate set of events that forced us into this room today, but ultimately i think this panel, this congress, and the International Sports Community Need to realize when dealing with russia, and its approach to ensuring clean International Competitions, the honor system is simply not going to be enough. And i yield back. Chairman now recognize the chairman of the full committee, mr. Walden from oregon for 5 minutes. Mr. Walden thank you. I want to welcome all of our witnesses and olympians, thank you for being here to help us better understand what is going on in this situation. For sentries, athletes, cultures, nations have been brought together by the spirit of competition. From the slopes of olympus to the stands of oxen stadium, home of the oregon ducks, people from all walks of life have gathered to pursue and celebrate athletic achievement. We relish with anticipation the possibility of witnessing the impossible. We celebrate the thrill of victory and the agonize in defeat. Whether through your own pursuits or those of others, i suspect everyone in this room knows the emotion, collective experience and beauty of sport. Nothing embodies the spirit and potential of sport more than the Olympic Games. It is the hallmark of International Competition, uniting people from around the world, regardless of social, political or religious differences. In celebration of our greatest athletes, it envelops National Pride at the highest degree. There is a lot of truth to that message, but we also cannot be blind to reality. Athletes and nations compete to win. They do not invest countless hours training to lose. They sacrifice for success and their victories are rewarded. This is why for centuries athletes have sought performance enhancing substances to gain an advantage on the competition. Greek olympians and roman gladiators used herbs and wine and other products to get an edge on their opponents. In the early 1900s, mixtures of heroin, cocaine and other substances became prevalent among athletes. Over time, following the introduction of antidoping testing of the olympics in the 1970s, the drugs have become more sophisticated and cheaters more creative. Despite improvements in global antidoping efforts at the turn of the century with the establishment of the World Antidoping Agency, wada, the fight for clean sport remains an uphill battle. The temptation to cheat will always be present to those looking for a short cut. Recent events, however, revealed a far more startling and a difficult challenge. Thanks to the courage, tenacity of whistleblowers, of journalists, and others, we were exposed to a level of deception and cheating that felt more look like a movie script than reality of International Sport. It was not a case of individual athletes looking for an edge, this was a tale of nation states sponsored doping. Hundreds of athletes knowingly or unknowingly became part of a Widespread Campaign to enhance performance, alter test results, and evade detection by interNational Antidoping authorities. Despite the shocking allegations, later bolstered by a series of independent commissions and reports, the response from the respective governing bodies of International Sport has become a hodgepodge of indecisive and inconsistent actions. So what went wrong . It is one thing for an individual to beat the system, but how could such a massive program go undetected for so long . What has the response been . It has been a quagmire. Clearly these events point to larger challenges in interNational Antidoping efforts. Thats why were here today. To learn from the past, in pursuit of a Better Future for clean sport. Well always be those who seek to gain an advantage, personal financial motivations are undeniable, the opportunities afforded by scientific innovation too tempting. The challenge is daunting and may never be totally solved. That is not an excuse for inaction. We can and must do better, even if that requires some difficult and frankly some uncomfortable reforms. Success in sport is not achieved sitting on the sideline. Waiting for others to act, it requires leadership, teamwork and most of all it requires dedication as our athletes have clearly shown. The millions of Clean Athletes around the world who push the limits of physical and mental exhaustion, who sacrifice so much, dont they deserve a similar commitment from those responsible for protecting the integrity of their sport . I believe they do. Thats why were here today from cash to hear to hear from all of you. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I yield back the balance of my time. Chairman i now recognize Frank Pallone of new jersey for 5 minutes. Pallone thank you, mr. Chairman. I want to begin by thanking our Witnesses Today for their ongoing commitment to the integrity of competitive sports. I especially want to thank our olympic athletes who have faced circumstances outside of their control when it comes to doping within their individual sport. I would like to single out Travis Tygart and the United States Antidoping Agency who fought for those athletes demanding drug free competition. In july of last year, several of us on the committee sent a letter to the president of the International Olympic committee expressing our strong interest in supporting efforts to ensure the integrity of sports. When we wrote that letter, the World Antidoping Agency had begun releasing some of its findings as to whether russia had engaged in institutionalized doping. Samples were swapped for clean samples. Agencies responsible for policing sport had actually helped athletes dope, even the Russian Federal Security Service or fsb had played a role in this conspiracy according to wadas investigation. Upon the release of those findings, wada recommended to the International Olympic committee that it ban russia and russian athletes from participation in the 2016 rio games. However, the ioc delegated that decision to the International Sports federations organizations that may or may not have had the independence and resources to undertake such a task. And some critics believe the iocs lack of decisiveness affected the role and perceived authority of antidoping agencies. So even today it remains unclear that what sanctions the ioc and other sports related organizations can or will take, in response to wadas independent investigation. Collectively these organizations must take decisive action. They must send an unambiguous message they will punish doping and cheaters will no longer be rewarded for creating an unfair advantage over Clean Athletes. I think were at a crossroads now, mr. Chairman, how best to prevent and police doping in sport. Wadas independent investigation raises serious concerns about the agencies responsible for policing doping, including the ability to sanction athletes, institutions, even countries that conspire to violate the world antidoping code. Despite these challenges, there are some hopeful signs of reforming the antidoping regulatory system. In particular, im encouraged by the recommendation made by a group of National Antidoping agency or nados that strengthen wadas role as a Global Regulator in the doping fight. The group wants to ensure that wada has the authority to investigate suspected doping violations. They also want to provide wada Additional Resources so it can develop better antidoping monitoring systems. The group of agencies also recommended removing conflicts of interest in wadas governing structure and developing a program to protect whistleblowers who may wish to bring doping violations forward. We all care about the International Sport community, but the integrity of the International Community will continue to be questioned until an effective antidoping system is in place. So, again, i want to thank our witnesses for attending this hearing, so we can identify what actions are needed moving forward to build a better antidoping system. And finding the underlying cause of what happened and making real change to our antidoping institutions based on those findings is something we must do for the athletes and the integrity of International Sport. Thank you, mr. Chairman and yield back the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman i ask unanimous consent that the members Opening Statements be introduced into the record. The documents will be entered into the record. I would now like to introduce our allstar panel of witnesses. First, we welcome mr. Adam nelson, american shot putter and olympic goldmedal list. Three time olympian and six time World Championship team member, mr. Nelson is currently the president of the track and field athletes association. Many of us know mr. Nelson was never properly awarded his medal for his olympic achievements. Id like to take a moment to congratulate mr. Nelson on his olympic gold medal and commend him for pursuing his achievements in the spirit of clean and fair sport. It is a shame it had to happen in a food court at an airport. [applause] next, were honored to have with us today mr. Michael phelps, mr. Phelps the most decorated olympian of all time, winning 28 medals, including 23 gold medals over the course of five Olympic Games. Both during and after his olympic career, mr. Phelps has been a strong and outspoken advocate for clean sport. Next, we want to welcome mr. Travis tygart, chief executive officer for the United States Antidoping Agency. 15 years of experience working at usada, in various leadership roles, he works closely with the usada board of directors to carry out the Organizations Mission of preserving the integrity of competition, inspiring to sport and protecting the rights of u. S. Athletes. Now, we also welcome mr. Rob koehler, Deputy Director general of the World Antidoping Agency. He comes to us with almost two decades of experience working in the antidoping field at wada and the Canadian Center for ethics and sports. In his role as Deputy Director general at wada, he is responsible for the oversight of all u. S. Antidoping organizations and global antidoping education initiatives. Lastly, we welcome dr. Richard budgett, medical and scientific director for the International Olympic committee. In this capacity, dr. Budgett is responsible for ensuring that the organizing committees of each edition of the Olympic Games deliver excellent medical and doping control services, working closely with the world antidoping agencies. Thank you to all our witnesses for being here today and par taking in an informative and insightful discussion of this Important International issue. Youre all aware this committee in whole, is holding an investigating hearing and has had the practice of taking testimony under oath. Do any of you object to giving testimony under oath . Seeing no objections, the chair advises you under the rules of the house and the committee, youre entitled to be advised by counsel. Do any of you desire to be advised by counsel during your testimony today . Seeing none, in that case, will you all rise, raise your right hand, ill swear you in. Do you swear the testimony youre about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth . Thank you. All the witnesses have answered in the affirmative. Youre now under oath and subject to the penalties set forth in title 18, section 1001 of the United States code. Call upon you each to give a five minute statement. This timer is not like in the games, mr. Nelson. Nothing bad will happen if it turns red on you. But we ask you to do five minutes. Mr. Nelson. Mr. Nelson good morning, and thank you, mr. Chairman, and the members of the committee for hosting this event and hopefully supporting clean sport. As a 9yearold i remember watching athletes like Mary Lou Retton and edwin moses represent the United States of america in the 1984 Olympic Games. Their performances inspired a generation of childhood dreamers like me at least for a moment to imagine what it would be like to compete at the greatest stage on the world, culminating in an unforgettable medals ceremony accompanied by my flag and my National Anthem. 12 years later, i competed in my first olympic trials as a shot putter, finishing last in a effort that fueled the dream for four more years. Four more years has been a mantra for most of my adult life. The 2004 olympic shot put competition was contested in in greece. More than 20,000 spectators visited the competition venue for the first time in nearly 3,000 years. For 58 of 60 throws i led that competition, on the 59th throw, the athlete from the ukraine tied my best mark. As the leader going into the final rounds, i had the privilege to take the last and final throw of the competition. As a child, my imagination could have never dreamed of a moment quite like this. But these are the moments that make the olympics great. And i can remember everything about that moment. I remember the faces in the crowd. I remember the heat, the sun baking my skin, i remember the mixture of cheers and boos for one american athlete, as he was competing for the gold medal. These are the moments that change the trajectory of your life, and make the struggle worthwhile. When i stepped into the ring for the last and final throw of the competition, the world went quiet, i felt the coolness of the shot put touch my neck and felt a surge of adrenaline and watched as it sailed farther and farther than any other throw of the day. I raised my hands in sure victory, realizing that i had just won the olympic gold medal, only to look left and see the red flag raise indicating i fouled. I saw as another athlete started his victory lap, and listened as they played another National Anthem and raised another flag, celebrating him. And in his honor. For eight years, i live with that result. Eight years later i received a phone call from a reporter informing me that five athletes tested positive in a retroactive drug testing from samples from 2004. The last eight years of my life had apparently been based on a falsehood. A month later, the same reporter called me to inform me the ioc was meeting that day to discuss whether or not to vacate his position or reallocate the medals. While on that call, the news hit the wires and the reporter informed me i was now the olympic Gold Medalist. A year later, i picked up my medal in the food court at the atlanta airport, came with a side of fries and a free toy, dont worry about it. [laughter] like it was an after thought. An official who could swing through atlanta on his way home. Nine years after the moment had passed, the color and timing of a medal matter, folks. Silver does not hold the same value and gold loses its shine over time. There is no small bit of irony of me winning a medal in this fashion. As an athlete, i rejected the notion you need drugs to compete. I was vocal about clean sport and often criticized by competitors or peers for my position. I was often told not to comment on the current state of anti doping or doping in sports for fear it would be a distraction. Doping in sports is seen by some as a distraction for the athletes, an obstacle for the sport of the business of sport. It is a stain on an otherwise beautiful set of ideals that we we know as the spirit of olympism. As a result, we have a system that is interested in seeing progress, but not truly committed to achieving the outcome. My story illustrates only part of the damage caused by doping in sport, but im not here to invoke sympathy. Sympathy is a thought, an emotion devoid of action, im here today to ask you all to give medal, to give meaning to my medal. This medal here. Im here to ask for action on behalf of millions of dreamers like me who believe in fair play and aspire for gold medals to be won and celebrated in the moment after a clean and fair competition. Since 2012, ive become a student of International Sports organizations. Ive advocated for clean sports, spoken with athletes from around the world about this subject. Ive heard their voices, the voices of the Clean Athletes, they ask for more. But those voices continue to fall on deaf ears. So they resort to social media, they wag fingers, and they create a petition that has already garnered almost 500 athlete signatures in support of athletes want action, not words. Structural reform is only part of the solution. You cannot change a culture by changing policy. You have to engage the efforts. Olympic an athlete, and that you consider Clean Athlete as a shared owner and this allimportant fight. We will stand with you as a partner if you empower us to do so. The time in the moment is now. Thank you very much for your time. [applause] thank you. Thank you, mr. Phelps. Mr. Phelps mr. Chairman, good morning. My name is Michael Phelps and i am a retired recessional summer and an olympian and i want to thank the committee for the opportunity to appear before you today. It is a privilege to share my thoughts and perspective on the issue of clean sport, which is important so many athletes and to sport in general. Competed internationally for over 15 years and have the honor to represent the United States and five Olympic Games and six championships. Haveof my proudest moments been representing my country in International Competition. There is no greater feeling of standing on top of the podium watching the Stars Stripes rise as the National Anthem plays. The reason the olympics were special is it gave me the opportunity to end my career on my terms. It was unique because of increasing doping concerns. I watched how it affected my fellow competitors. We all felt frustration. Looking back over my career knowing how difficult it is to get to the highest level of spore, i cannot help but wonder how the next generation of athletes will be able to do it as this uncertainty continues. As a child, i found school difficult. I had adhd, which probably contributed to my restlessness. I will never forget being told in one of my teachers that i would never amount to anything. It was swimming that enabled me to see past those challenges and not be defined by them. My mom put my sisters and me in the pool so we would be water safe. I was afraid to put my head under the water. By overcoming that you are, i got my first taste of selfconfidence. As it turned out, i was pretty good in the water and i quickly realized the harder i work, the quicker i improved. I found a focus on a purpose i had never felt before. I was set goals for myself and work like crazy until i accomplished them. Dreams were just popping into my head when i got into the pool. I would dream about becoming a world record holder. I wanted to be the best. With my coach so we could come up with a plan, not just for what i was doing in the pool, but how i could better myself away from the pool. I made up my mind to do everything i could to make my dream a reality. In school, i had friends, but i was not that social. I focused on swimming. At times, i was made fun of because it was different. I was in love with challenging myself to become the best athlete i could be. Waslt that every single day an opportunity for me to do Something Special when i went into the pool. I felt that the kids who worked the hardest got the best results. That is why i pushed myself as hard as i could. Over a fiveyear period, i trained every single day without a day off. I figured by training on holidays, i would get that extra edge. As a part of my hard work as my hard work and sacrifice began to pay off, my confidence grew. I began to feel if i could drink something and give everything i had, anything was possible. The strength of that believe drove me to set goals others might have thought were unrealistic. That is one amazing thing about competitive sport it demands that you believe in yourself. It isnt always easy. There were so many times i couldve walked away. Sticking with it required me to dig deep knowing that after all of the work and sacrifice, success might be determined by just a 100 of the second. In those critical moment you test your commitments, and that could define your career, you need to believe that if you push on, you will get the opportunity to measure yourself, your preparation, talent, desire against others who have prepared themselves in the same exact way. Throughout my career, i thought some athletes were cheating. And in some cases, though suspicions were confirmed. Getting the testing that i and so many others have been through, i have a hard time understanding this. Them where i was everyday so they could conduct random tests outside of competition. Toll,hole process takes a but it is absolutely worth it to keep the score clean and fair. I cannot describe how frustrating it is to see other athletes breakthrough performance barriers in unrealistic timeframe knowing what i had to do to go through that. I watch how this affected my teammates as well. Even the suspicion of doping disillusioning between athletes. To believe in yourself is poor, you need to believe in the system that safeguards claims court and safe play and fair play. For years, i worked closely with kids, most of these kids are not swimmers, but they are eager to talk to me and they are full of questions. It is when i talk about being a kid like them and how this all started with a dream, you see their eyes light up. We talk about how i did it, and i tell them they can do it too. To look into a childs eyes and tell them if they dare to dream, they can succeed if they do the work. The power to believe in yourself can inspire and inspire others through sport happens through fairplay. I would like to think that some little boy or girl out there down with an even bigger dream of Even Stronger drive to work harder than i ever did to do something that is never been done before. For that to happen, he or she must believe they will get a fair opportunity to compete. If we allow our confidence and fair play to a road, we will undermine the power of sports if we allow our confidence and errode, we will undermine the power of sports. Thank you, mr. Chairman, and members of the committee. [applause] we really have applause after testimony. Recognized for five minutes. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Good morning. I am travis tiger from the u. S. Antidoping agency and appreciate the invitation to be her to discuss this very important topic. Invitation today to discuss his important topic. Fairness and integrity and Athletic Competition two principals at the very heart of why we play sports hanging in the balance. You just heard powerful testimony from adam nelson and Michael Phelps on why this matters. Athletes andean their powerful stories. This stories give us hope. They provide us the fuel to continue to advocate for their right to clean and fair competition. We must to do this, understand how and why the system is under threat. There is no timelier example in uncovering of russias white supported doping system widely supported doping system. It was proven to be orchestrated by russian officials. At least two Olympic Games were corrupted. At the rio games this past august, scores of russian athletes competed despite not being subject to credible Antidoping Programs. When the moment came, despite mountains of evidence, and vocal opposition from antitilt leaders and Clean Athletes from around the world, the ioc chose to welcome the russian Olympic Committee to rio. It could not enforce any meaningful sanctions against the russian Olympic Committee. The ioc missed or ignored a defining moment to confront and occurs way possible of doping in Global Sports. It was a chance to draw a line in the sand to stand up for Clean Athletes of the world. This, two Silver Linings have emerged the first, more than ever before, athletes are mobilizing was in opinions and fighting more than ever before for unlevel Playing Field. Second, we all have a once in a lifetime opportunity to disrupt positions for the good of sports. There, the road to reform starts and ends with independence. In frontong advocated of this congress for a clear separation between those who promote sport and those who police sport. To do so is to have the fox darting the henhouse. You cannot both promote and police your own sport. Along with 22 other National Antidoping agencies referenced earlier from around the world support a strong and independent that it needse reform to be a truly independent Global Regulator, not just the Sports Organization that many hope it remains. The good news, mr. Chairman, is as issue could be resolved by removing lets take the handcuffs off and let them do their job that Clean Athletes deserve. Kevin the testimony of both richard and rob carter coming today. Let me preface this by saying that i have respect for them to fight for change. Justhey are simply carrying out instructions from their sport bosses who are not here unfortunately. Positionsard to their , we agree with most of it. That is why antidoping agencies have implemented many of the same strategies years ago. But unfortunately, their voices are silent on the real issue which is to remote the fox from guarding the hen house. We hear that term a lot fox in the henhouse. Be advocatingmay and educatethe fox the fox and equipped the fox with the appropriate resourcing it is still a conflict of interest in Clean Athletes around the world are still being let down by sports control these critical functions. Is the also frustrating solutions are relatively easy, but the determination to implement them is lacking. Remain optimistic. Antidoping agencies have come together to put forth a declaration that removes sports controls of antidoping. Number two, strengthen wada from increased investment. Providehree, may meaningful athletes will have been robbed. Bob with the recognition they deserve. Robbed with the recognition they deserve. Let it be done right and left have slipped reallocation allocation of any medals that a been stolen. Increase support for whistleblowers. Mr. Chairman, and those of you on the committee who value this claims court, this is our moment and this is not just about elite public athletes, but about every child on the playground that has a dream. And what does it take to have this dream come true . Win, well find ourselves in missing position years from now staring at another state supported doping system in the face that has a used that has abused its own athletes. And we will all be wondering why we did not do more. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Chairman. My name is robert keeler. Thank you for inviting me to testify today about antidoping issues in sport. It is an issue that i am i organization are passionate about. The World Antidoping Agency was ,stablished in 1999 to promote coordinate, and much of the fight against doping in sport. Is an independent Agency Responsible for the development and implementation of the world antidoping code. The code harmonizes antidoping policies in all sports in all countries. And works in cooperation with a network of stakeholders and governments and in Sports Movements. Each as its own specific roles and responsibilities. Wada is funded by the Sports Movement and the governments of the world. We heard today that the United States is the Largest National computer to wada who funds wada on databases at 2. 1 million. Has come ae long way in 18 years on a very modest resource by very modest resources. Introduceds consistencies to the antidoping rules and processes where previously, there was disparity. One should not look past the importance of consistent rules and procedures. Without them, antidoping efforts are just aspirations. Wada has introduced a you and treaty. Has introduced a treaty. It was ratified in record time by 183 states of 195. Relationships are also crucial. Run effectively is a small organization. Wellestablished lasting relationships we have established lasting relationships with interpol. And our reputation that and are relationships with aremaceutical companies also very helpful in terms of our research initiatives. Come a long way, the past two years have placed agencies in uncharted waters. The agency and the broader antidoping community. And conspiracy in russia as described in the for state global period of reflection on how better to fight doping in sport. Wada has listened to a series of proposals made by a stakeholders in the wake of the russian doping conspiracy. Comprised ofis representatives from the Sport Movement and governments. Our board and its november meeting took action on a set of recommendations that we believe will both enhance wadas role and help foster things for and help protect the rights to Clean Athletes worldwide. We are moving forward in three main priorities one, recognizing the need to enhance wadas investigations and intelligence gathering capabilities. His work has begun. Of our newrival chief investigative officer whose team will and is entirely independent from wadas management. Second, wadas new whistleblower policy. We have named it speak up and it has been approved and it will be launched in the coming days. As a last couple of years have shown, whistleblowers are invaluable to the fight against fight against doping in sport. Well have the most thorough review and the Antidoping Program that is ever taken place in the antidoping movement. The standards of the claims or community. We recognize that this Compliance Program will only be effective if supported by meaningful, predictable, and proportionate sanctions. Our Foundation Board endorsed principles and new created sanctioned framework. To ensure people are made accountable for making states. Wada is focused on these three parties and we are all conscious that these new strategic undertakings lower wire a significant level of funding if we are to realize our mission to protect Clean Athlete. We will present to our board a clean slate draft of our 2018 budget to reflect this new level of work. Simply put, to increase our capacity and the broader antidoping community will need additional funding from both sport and government to be more successful. Thank you, mr. Chairman. [applause] thank you. Thank you mr. Chairman. Thank you members of the subcommittee could and the medical members of the subcommittee. And the medical director of the ioc. The cooperation between sporting government is extremely important. The protection of Clean Athletes has been a priority for the ioc. We are responsible for antidoping at the games. But our responsibility is broader than that across the whole of the family. Things the most important the ioc ever did in the field of inidoping was to found wada 1999. For the first two years, it was totally funded by the ioc. Then it became a partnership 50 between government and sport. 20 20, theith the importance of protecting the clean faq was potential center within the iocs strategy. Been twon, there have olympic summit set have called for increased feminization and increase transparency increased transparency. I won political medal in los angeles. Since then, i have been a medicine doctor and looked after a lipid athletes all of world for more than 25 years. That has given me a passionate commitment that we have to do everything we possibly can to ensure that olympic athletes fantastic olympic after today can be ensure as possible that they are competing on a level Playing Field. 2012, i became the chief medical officer for the london 2012, i and then since have been the ioc scientific director responsible for the prevention of injuries and illness in athletes for education resource and for antidoping. Antidoping is a threat to help. As we have heard, there is a small Silver Lining in the recent scandals, which is acceptance among antidoping community that we have to strengthen the world antidoping system. And i really appreciate you calling this hearing and getting the platform for estimate changes. Part, we start support the repertory role for wada. If it is only succeed seen as fair. So there must be respect for individual justice and we must not sanction or punish athletes for the failure of others. Governance, the ioc have called for leaders of wada to be independent from sporting government. We have call for further independence through the whole system separating legislation policing, and sanctioning. They dont have the same body setting the rules and sanction the rules and enforcing the punishment. The ioc has called for antidoping testing to be independent all around the world. As a result, the independent Testing Authority could do everything from the testing and analysis through to the storing and reanalysis through to the prosecution of cases in the same way ioc did in rio. This way with an independent assessing authority, aphids can be competent athletes can be confident that their peers are being tested by similar standard. This was a shocking institutional conspiracy. The ioc has taken this is jimmy seriously. The ioc has taken this extremely seriously looking at looking at individual cases. As professor mclaren acknowledged, there are challenges because the evidence he gathered is not designed to be used to prosecute individual cases, but we are working hard to further forensic analysis and gathering of evidence of that these cases can be pursued with andcooperation of wada international federations. These commissions are ongoing and should finish in time. Ultimately, the goal of the ioc is the protection of the Clean Athlete. We are fully determined to work with all of those involved in this fight. Acid,the federation, the and with government. The athletes, and with government. Thank you. Thank you. Recently, nearly two dozen National Antidoping agencies have waged support for reforms necessary to strengthen interNational Antidoping oversights. Eliminate would you got this would eliminate conflict of interest. With their mobile Sports Organizations from your governance structure improve your independence and operations . Thank you. The first thing i want to draw isk is we hear the word wada broken and needs to be fixed. We are here today for the simple reason that wada did a lot to expose doping in russia and abroad to the forefront major issues. But will it improve your government and operations . I am not sure if it will improve it. We are doing a complete review on how we can shake an organization. We are open to any suggestions. To you support this type of reform . We do support this reform. Are you making steps to invoke this change . Yes. And wada have taken steps to invoke this change. It as representatives from sporting government look at the total governance of wada, an executive board should be independent. Do you have anything to add to those comments . I would just say that if in fact that is now the position, that is wonderful. We will see if it happens. We have had two plus years for that move to be made in athletes are still waiting for some change. We have not seen it. We occurred discussion of separation of powers and we agree with that basic principle. And you can have sport involved in the legislative branch. But when it comes time to , it ising Clean Athletes to have an executive function that is free of the fox attempting to guard itself. And we have yet to have a definitive statement or position by the ioc to remove themselves from that. If that is a position, we are thrilled. Thank you. Mr. Phelps, in your testimony, you write an important quote to believe in yourself through clean sport, you need to be able to believe in a system that safeguards claims court and fair play. All africa must be held to the same standard all athletes must be held to the same standard. This doping magnitude have on you as an athlete . Mr. Phelps one of the biggest things that come to my mind when i think of International Sports and i have said this to travis i do not believe that i have stood up and International Competition and the rest of the field of thing claim. I do not and the rest the field has been clean. When i stand up in the u. S. , i know we are all clean because we are going through the same thing. So, for me, in terms of internationally, i think there has to be something done. This notion of trust is really important. We trust that these organizations looking out for our best interests, our integrity, are doing their jobs. Last year, i think there was a major violation in the trust. Now we see a culture in athletes saying that they had not done their job properly yet. We have to do it for them. That is a big shift in the culture of athletics. Thank you. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Tiger, i found her oral testimony to be refreshingly honest. I want to talk about a few of the findings you made. You were to the russian cheating scheme as shockingly pervasive fromaid it spread across 2011 to 2013. Is that correct . Yes. And you said that the rushing oping in your testimony, you described this as a nightmare realized and you point out that whistleblowers and journalist played a major role in unearthing the scheme. Some of these whistleblowers feared for their own safety, is that correct . Yes. In fact, some of them are hiding in the u. S. , is that correct . That is correct. The rushing security the russian Security Service took part in his cheating scheme, is that correct at go is that correct . Yes. Athletes may have benefited from the scheme, is that correct . Yes. Despite mountains of evidence, the ioc chose not to stand up for Clean Athletes and against institutionalized doping. You said there decision not to ban russia was a defining moment. He said history will not just the iocs decision timely. Is that accurate . It is. What are the ioc and antidoping community be doing now to address the findings of wadas investigation . Outside of the reform proposals we put forward, which , theritically important Silver Bullet is removing the fox from guarding the hen house. I think they are prepared to move sports leaders from the wada security board. The goes a long way to solving the concerns. They also have definitive investigation and ensure the individual cases are followed up on any athletes from around the world that were robbed get their rightful place. Just to ask, are you familiar with this letter that the director general of the ioc sent on february 23, 2017 . I am. In that letter, he said the schmidt commission that has yet to address a substantial allegations because allegations of the antidoping samples is continuing its work. Bennett says they are talking about a statesponsored system and an institutional conspiracy and said now they will have to consider what this change means, and what individual organizations or government authorities may have been involved . Do you have any idea what theyre talking about . I am not exactly sure. We did an investigation many years ago around Salt Lake City of ethics. And this is the same kind of gook we got from them then. I dont even know what they are talking about, but youre saying you do not either . I do not. Ok. I want to ask you briefly, what structural changes need to be made to the global antidoping systems to prevent this happening again . Look at the independence that they have . If you could change Something Like that, it would be great. Mr. Nelson . The first change has to be holding all the stakeholders in this mess to the same level of accountability that they hold athletes to do if you strictly in worse the rule or compliance at the national level, you will see people hop in library quickly because they will lose the opportunity to compete. Oftencond thing is transparency in reporting. Often struggled with how well they are doing because information is not readily available. There have been steps with in the last two years to help, but the number of adverse findings given the number of samples that are collected each year suggest the the the problem is not as pervasive as they think, or the testing is not quite there yet. Thank you. It mr. Chairman esther chairman, i asked that you put this letter from the ioc into the record. I will recognize mr. Walton for five minutes. Thank you to all of the witnesses. I want to ask our olympians to make this clear you do not think you have ever competing in a clean olympics . Is that right . I do not feel that way, no. Nelson . No. Ok. Budget, i want to clarify to make sure that we all heard this the same way that your organization with support removing sport leaders from the wada board. Is that true . That is within a structure of governance that will be developed. It will happen within the year. Ok. I want to go back. This is where i think a lot of us are concerned. There are whistleblowers as far as are whistleblowers as far back as 2010. It strikes me that it wasnt until the Investigative Press reports that anything happened. , do you have a process that we can trust, for whistleblowers, to come forward and have some action taken on what they shared . Clearly, people are a great risk for when they come forward and they are not going to do it if he think he will get blown off. Us that to convince something will really change here. Yes. That is why wada is in place, so i would refer the question to the colleague am my right. But just to reiterate, the ioc is in the process of removing the fox from the henhouse. We are in the process where we are relinquishing all of the control for the antidoping and will pass it on to the independent league. Sources matter. Sources matter. It is how organizations of the press can do their job effectively. But if they are ignored, they go away, and we lose out. Mr. Peeler . Go ahead. Thank you. It is so important to protect the whistleblowers. It is the right time to recognize two very brave whistleblowers that came forward and early 2010. We do not have the power to investigate it, but what i can tell you during that time is when they came forward, our ultimate goal was to protect their safety. Get information from them that came in about corruption from russia. We did not know who to hand it to. We were in a difficult position and we had no power to investigate it. There is no question when they came forward, who had the power to investigate . Nobody. Except the national federations. 2015 that thel code changed to give us the power to investigate. What a broken system. What a broken system. Up to that point, how else can you look at this . You got these new reports. You have these investigative journalists who blew the doors open on this. Now you have the reports. You are going to give us confidence that you are going to reorganize this operation and get to the point where we dont have conflict of interest and where our athletes, especially u. S. Athletes who play by the rules, can play against other athletes who play by the rules that go right . Who play by the rules . Right . Our number one priority is to protect the rights. Even when we did not have the investigative power, we took it upon ourselves to protect them to make sure they were safe. Are you aware of any whistleblowers who have come forth recently made additional allegations . We are, yes. Are those allegations being investigated in any manner . They are all being investigated. Happens . At once you complete your investigation, walk me through that part . Anytime it is a whistle brother a tenant is a whistleblower who comes forward, the team will be about six people. They have an independent role to bring forward and to research and investigate antidoping rules violations. Sure they have evidence, they will bring it forward to the water they will bring a fortuna wada they will bring it forward to the wada. Mr. Tiger is shaking his head. I am sorry. Go ahead. There is a really important point and it is what i said in my oral testimony about deputizing the fox. The wada Foundation Board is overseeing investigations, or and dr. Budget talked about removing sport from the wada governance board. And not just from a testing organization. That is a critical point because if you continue to have sport overseeing investigations determining compliance, acting as a Global Regulator of itself, it is no different than the current status quo which is the fox guarding the hen house. It would be great to have a definitive conclusion if the iocs position today is that the wada governance level, the Global Regulator, and they will remove themselves from that board, which they could do today. It does not take another summit to do that. They could do it today. Ok, my time has expired. Thank you to our witnesses. We recognize mr. Pole for five minutes. I wanted to discuss the rolling of the athletes in addressing the challenges we face the doping. Mr. Tiger in an article you wrote quote the athlete is the voice for change. At the end of the day, it is the athlete not the suits of millions of people around the world tune in to watch. It is the athletes who leave us holding our breath. Without them, there is no sport or lasting change. Thatay in your testimony now more than ever, athletes are mobilizing in voicing their opinions. My question is, what role should athletes play in terms of policing their own sports specifically . It starts with the athletes. They own the culture of sports. It is wonderful. It is sad that it took this scandal to mobilize them the way that they have. But they have to have confidence in the system. They should have a clear voice and the system. Role andcannot play a actively testing themselves. There has to be an independent organization who doesnt on behalf of the athletes. That field they exist in is actually critical. The sameing to ask question. Met off each of the plaintiff may sugar sport is free from dont . Free from dope . Ive always major to prepare myself the best way possible. I have stayed in my lane. For me, it takes away from what i am doing. It takes away from what im trying to accomplish. That is one thing for me that i never voiced opinions before this year. Andously, as an athlete, who is been around for a couple of olympics and have seen a lot of things happened, it gets frustrating. We want for me, i would like to stand up on the block and International Competition and know that the other seven competitors i am racing against prepared just like i did. They went though the exact same hard work i did. The dedicated themselves to doing that they dedicated themselves to doing what no one is done before and accomplishing their goals. That would be a dream for me. Nelson, should they be more vocal demanding reforms so that we could ensure the system will guarantee clean play . Yes. Moreieve they should be vocal. More than just using their words, they should be integrated into the solution as well. Right now, the way athletes voices are integrated into olympic sports is through the internal athlete advisory committee. He verily they very rarely have the power to advise people. It is a reactive force, not a proactive force. With this issue considering it invades on so many athletes, and the privacy as so many athletes, it is a huge burden these athletes bear. They accept the burden with open arms, but have no input into it. If you are about changing the culture, you have to insert their voice into the leadership and actual structure of the solution. Thanks. To mr. Tiger for one more question. Given the findings of wadas it isndent investigation, my understanding abbeys were prepared to boycott the international bobsled and skeleton championship set to take place this month. In your testimony, you state that efforts around the world are taking up this cause. My question is, but you tell us about the potential athlete boycott of that event . Will we see more instances of that were athletes put their feet down and participate in boycott . I hope not. And i say that because i have talked to affect about that very issue and talked to many of those bobsled athletes. Thatis an attainable issue your Sports Organization is not going to enforce the decision it made to bar events from russia. Youru are concerned about own sample security and the testing regime to go to russia, or you decide to boycott . That is not fair to those athletes. We should not put athlete in those positions to have to make that decision. And we dont have to because sport in the antidoping system and the antidoping system could alleviate that concern. I do not for a second believe that any athletes have the boycott. That is a very good example when they are willing to consider that option that they are frustrated and they want change. I am out of town im out of time. Mr. Griffith of virginia. Thank you for being here. I know the folks assembled today are the good guys. We are trying to get it right. With that being said, i think i am hearing some beating of the mines going on. Dr. Budget, am i hearing you say that the ioc is prepared to not only relinquish the governance board, but also investigation and testing . Have i got a bridge too far . You are correct about the investigation and testing. That is something ioc has called for. We want to do it for sport and there is a conflict of interest with the government as well because that is what was happening with russia. When it comes to the governance of wada, that has to go through due process that has to go through due process. Certainly, on the actual testing and the whole structure around them, that will be completely independent. In the governance board is in question, which you anticipate reforms before the end of this year . Icily hope so. The first meeting is in a week or so. I appreciate that. Mr. Nelson showed us his medal earlier, and that was really a special moment. But a food court in atlanta is not appropriate. For someone who tries to problem solve, we have tried to problem solve. Why not we then in any medals given late because somebody cheated at the opening ceremonies of the next olympics for that particular sport. It seems to me that it would make mr. Nelsons experience much more special. Of gettingetter way t with a happy meal . It was a really cool toy. [laughter] it would be nice not sleep in under the rug. Mr. Phelps, i think the entire American Swimming Team brought this up maybe accidentally, but with lilly king and others talking about this openly and feel of its last summer, it became an issue that most americans are not aware of them probably means more around the world. I appreciate you all doing that. And i appreciate you being here today and taking out your time to join us. Is there anything you want to touch on that you have not had an opportunity to speak on thus far . Mr. Phelps not today. But i agree with what youre saying about going to the next olympics. As i said in my testimony, there is Nothing Better than watching your flag rise listening to the National Anthem. That is one of the greatest things i will miss the most. To be able to represent your country and have that moment, i feel he deserves that. And i completely agree. I will take you back in time a little bit. When youdid it take complain about the long swimming suits . Swimming suits only that change in a couple of years . It was not long. The longer suits probably came 2007ish. In 2009, we ask he had the opportunity to swim and then we ask he had the opportunity to swim in them. Hopefully we can get this resolved as well. I hope so, too. Mr. Tiger, i19 indicated some frustration. But does this give you some hope that we are on the right path to getting the situation where we are actually governing . Crystalclearn is that we have to remove the fox from the governance. So if wadas governing board still determines the consequence of an investigation, and still determines what testing plants are acceptable, still is responsible ultimately for determining who is in compliance with the rules and who was not, there is no different than what we currently have. Not an agreement with that and we will continue to push because we recognize the solution is to remote the fox guarding the hen house because you cannot effectively promote and police, and after you cannot believe in a system when sports controls the materials of antidoping. Dont you think we can do this faster and finding out who the cheaters are . We should prevent them to begin with. In rio, there were 1913 athletes out of the 11,000 athletes from 10 high risk sports who had no tests on the surprised to the rio games. How unacceptable is that . When sports happens and it is the iocs responsibility for the games. That is what happens when sport protects and polices itself. At the end of the day, we need to stop that from happening and prevent dopers from going to the games. Mr. Phelps, travis, what were the numbers for the month leading into the games . A bakers dozen. Over 1900 athletes in the top 10 sports that were not tested . And you are tested one dozen times . 13. [laughter] thank you. I really want to thank the witnesses. Shockingtes i find so that you both said that in the Olympic Games in an International Competition, you cannot feel confident that you dont feel confident that someone has not been doped. Thishoping that in bipartisan hearing today that we are having, that we are going to be able to contribute to alleviating that lack of confidence of that when the kids you work with now have their ,reams that they can believe and i want to say thank you to mr. Tiger and hopefully all of you who are restoring confidence to americans. Thented to requote congresswoman quoted you mr. Tiger saying despite mountains of evidence and vocal opposition from antidoping groups, the ioc chose not to stand up for Clean Athletes and against institutionalized doping, and that you pointed out that the hunted the decision to the National Sports federation and missed an opportunity to stand for Clean Athletes and send a clear message. How should the ioc at the time have held russia accountable for its deception as described in wadas independent investigation . Were very clear along with 13 other National Antidoping organizations literally from around the world to send a letter to the ioc after the maclaren report exposed russia. We said that you cannot we wore them of the committee who is responsibility whose responsibility it is a member of the ioc who is complicit in it according to some of the ngidence, as well as havi responsibility in their own country, ensures this never happens. Do not allow them to come. They have done it in other circumstances. Ioc,heid would not let the because of actions in the state. So they have the power to do it and they chose not to do it. Recommendation was to not let the Russian Committee there, but have a uniform and consistent application by individual athletes who might not have been part of the system if there are any. And who were not tainted by that system. But do not just handed off to 38 different Sports Federations who do not have the time, money, resources and expertise in days before rio. It is a mess. Do you believe that russia has been sufficiently held accountable for this corruption . We dont. Ioc haserstand that the formed to committees to look further into the evidence presented in wadas independent investigation. Do you have confidence in those two committees . Tooithout beating my drum much, it is the fox guarding the hen house. You have a sportsrun organization making determination in the ballgame. You cannot have trust in the outcome of those investigations unfortunately because the perception is what we all know. You cannot both promote and police your sport on the heels of allowing the athletes to go in the Russian Committee to go. There is a self of filling prophecy that you do not want to be successful in those cases to justify your decision to let them in to begin with. I am saying that is the perception that is out there that we hear from africa of the time are concerned about that. Based on what you heard ifay at this hearing, and those promises are implemented, would you then of confidence . Isstill the governance piece still troubling and will not allow the full independence free from that promoting a policing. That model has worked in other parts of the country. There is no good reason not to other than to control the outcomes. Why wouldnt you let go of the governance . Athletes would have more confidence in it. National antidoping agencies would have more confidence in it. The only reason is to continue to control it. And all the fans and all the people inspired by it would have more confidence. Let me ask you finally, how did the russian situation go undetected for so long . What failed . I disagree with mr. Keeler on toa s ability going back 2010. But they did have the clear powers to hold organizations compliant. In this issue of countries and sports, whether they were complying with the rules or not, frequently came to their board and it was determined they were not going to make decisions on compliance. That is the fox saying we are not want to hold ourselves accountable because of the bad pr that would result if we said these organizations are not accountable. So we have to remote that fox to ensure the authority they have to investigate. What they have today to do compliance is actually done in a way that is free of the thank you mr. Chairman and thank you all for being here and educating us on the challenges that you face. , despite moving the , what are some of the other arerms that you believe necessary that have been advocated by others to enhance the authority and to enhance the resources to investigate . It is clear process for how Board Members are weointed or voted during think they have authority to investigate. If there is any question, make that absolutely clear. Do the job of monitoring compliance. To you believe that on those types of reform, you could address an issue as large as nationstate sponsored dope in . I do. It all came back to whistleblowers. The media put it out there. If we had the same will and determination free of conflict to do the right thing, its not Holding Governments accountable. Its investigating sportive holding sport accountable. The ioc can hold national Olympic Committees accountable in that can easily be done if make sure Clean Athletes are around the world. Keeler, if you would please respond to what mr. Tigert suggests, particularly in respect to the view of its authority to hold nationstates responsible. Have you ever done so . That prior torify 2015, they did not have the power to investigate. That did not come into force until the code was established. Been in existence since 1999 . Did notwhy is it you get Investigative Authority until 2015 . In 2000 three and their been three iterations of code sense. Since. Created by stakeholders and its an evolving system. Investigation came in was we saw the power of the whistleblowers coming forward and they needed an independent body to investigate. 1999,n it was created in it was never intended to be an Investigative Authority when it has to do with antidope in . Thats correct. Thet wasnt until 2003 that different codes came to be. What is it besides educating and testing, what is it you would . Ttribute to the successes what is it you have done if you were not able to investigate until 2015 . There has been evolution in the antidoping system. The first thing we did was harmonize antidoping rules. Prior to the code, an athlete in russia and United States could have different sanctions. One could have two years and the other could have for years. Different sports a different sanctions. How do you have 1900 athletes not subject to doping testing at all . I agree with mr. Tigerts comment. This should not happen. To be a further investigation into antidoping to make sure it doesnt happen. Earlier, weraised are moving into a system of noncompliance and compliance review. In the past it has not been as rigorous as it should have been. Now there is a call by athletes to go in and audit and make people accountable and if they we have anng it, independent Compliance Review Committee to make a call on countries ands warts that are deemed not doing the work to make them compliant. Its time to change and those countries that are not doing the testing, they need to be made accountable. Would it be your request that theinvestigators look into world of athletes . It might not be sufficient. What part of your budget is allocated toward investigations . Thats an understatement. Six is not enough. We are working on a very minimal budget. For the two reports that we have covered it, we spent over 2. 5 million on two reports. Thats out of a 27 million budget. We dont have enough to really react to the needs of the athletes. Maybe the budget should be reallocated to increase the amount of investigations relative to the other duties . With that i yield back. Esther chairman and to the witnesses. Antidopingl sports is flawed. It is clear the tools to enforce sanctions on athletes and countries who cheat has to be strengthened. 2016, father than july the World Antidoping Agency recommended to the ioc that it banned russian athletes from the 2016 games and despite that recommendation, the ioc decided to allow russian athletes to dissipate in the rio games. With the russian Sports Federation carried out an analysis on their own and look records,dividual russia could approve them. That the end of the year there were press reports. The acting director general of the russian Antidoping Agency said no. Whats been going on in russia is an international conspiracy. They emphasized that the government top officials were not involved. Reported ak times lab director temple with urine samples at the olympics and provided cocktails a performanceenhancing drugs for some of the most prestigious competitions. Members of the federal security sample broke into donalds Holding Urine and they they covered up top athletes use of banned substances. I want everybody to know the russians have disputed this in the following weeks. Frustrating is it for athletes . Like for youeeling as you go into these competitions . Can you screen all of this out when you going to compete any of other countries are sanctioning this type of cheating . Me, having the chance to represent my country was a tremendous honor. It. Cant do anything about i cant do anything about other athletes. The only person i can take care of his myself. We try to stick together as a team and we know that we are going to get up on the block and fight as hard as we can. What kind of testing at you going through . With someell you that of the things ive gone through with filling out paperwork for my whereabouts of where i am. Ive done it for 16 years. I filled out these forms quarterly. There are stacks of papers. Now its online. What kind of physical tasks . Tests, itssts, urine monthly, multiple times a month for me. Especially when i am in the u. S. And overseas. ,f you go to the Olympic Games the last four ive been tested almost every day. People going to the same things i am going through . I hope so. Apparently not. There are 1900 athletes who were never tested. Heard him say that the takees are in process to ioc influence out of the enforcement side of antidoping. What does that mean . Get the spit specific. What will it take to get the fox out of the henhouse . We will see it get fleshed out. We are finally seeing it on friday and in the testimony and that level of detail. Is this the structure of the ioc . Separation of powers. You have a legislative body that makes the rules and even athletes should have a huge part of that. That legislative body ought to establish the law and then it should come time to have an independent influence have an executive branch that enforces the law. We have to have added just fill branch. Judicial branch. It should make the determination of who is compliant, investigate, insure the testing at national levers levels is that in the same fashion and in the same level of integrity and in compliance with the same rules. To be thelunteer first ones audited so long as everyone is audited and held accountable under that program. Thank you for having the intestinal fortitude for standing up for our athletes in clean competition around the world. Thank you, mr. Chairman and i want to thank the witnesses. Did the fourthplace winner in the shot put, was he awarded the bronze medal . Did he get one . Yes he was. Was he an american . Im not sure where it was given to them. Im trying to get my head around what you through. At least you were on the platform getting the silver medal. Its just amazing. Curious, as we look at the ioc and i read that you are looking at an independent thatng agency, overall, would mean the u. S. , the u. K. , japan, canada, some nations that are actually doing the job. Replaced reach be by this independent testing . Say that feel of the games has more testing than any other event in the world. Goes out of the lead up to the games. Thats not adequate everywhere. Thes a function of international federations. Toare working very hard excellent put in place a program of testing lead up to the next games that will be comprehensive and all the things we talk about now. That is one aspect. The other aspect is the independent Testing Authority which would certainly do all the testing the sport is currently doing and ultimately we have to talk to our colleagues to do the testing for the organizations as well. They have an equal conflict of interest when it comes to National Interest in interest. Appears that they are doing the job. Do you think those five testing agencies are serious . I dont know what specifics of countries that are following the same method we are. Travis could answer that better. I do believe there are countries out there going to the same process. Faire, we should all be and we should all play on the same field. I dont knowow, how i would even talk to my son about doping in sports. I hope to never have that conversation. I hope we can get it cleaned up by then. For me, going to everything ive done, that is a question i could get asked question asked. I dont know how i would answer it. Healthertainly see the of athletes who did cheat and even in football the concussions and what that leads to later in life. Keeler, you have concerns about National Antidoping in certain countries like the u. S. And canada . I wouldnt say we have concerns with the u. S. And canada. We do have concerns. I wanted to step back if you will allow me. We can have all the review in the world. Read ive, we want to been in this business for 20 years and its time for change. Its time to put investment into this business. Money being put into National Antidoping organizations is insufficient. Thats the crux of the issue. More investment needs to be put in. This is to protect sport and Clean Athletes. It is so important and we need to start putting that investment in and not just saying it. Until that happens, you will never see change. On the sanctions peace, let me ask the athletes. Cheating, is caught you think thats adequate . Should we be as taccone and as a lifetime ban . One and done . It would show that trying to done. The rules, one and what do you think . Thats a very good question, sir. To answer it, i think you have to have some ability for the athletes to protect their own rights in the process. If youre going to increase the level of the penalties associated with it, you have to increase the investment. We are thetes lowest common denominator in this big pyramid. We are also trusted to make the most critical part of the process. We are the least paired and informed to make it. Im ok with increasing the penalties provided there is a provision for a gray area. Medical condition sometimes require certain actions. Im ok with a one and done. I am ok with financial penalties. This is a business. We treated different because its all up exports, but at the end of the day it is a business. I appreciate that. I know my high mess expired and i yield back. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Welcome to our panelists. I would like to offer my welcome to Travis Tigert we have done a lot of work together. This is a critically important issue for the health of the equine athlete and the in integrity of the sport. If this committee is interested in supporting antidoping efforts across the board, i hearinge us to schedule on doping and horse racing. It would restore integrity back to the sport of kings. Focus, this particular we heard about investigations that revealed russias effort to manipulate drug controls. The former chief investigator who was a special agent for the Drug Enforcement agency helped investigate some the in the allegations. Story quoting him about his time. Lackedied the agency adequate resources to investigate doping allegations. He said this cannot be jack versus russia. To be manpower and money available. They never beefed up investigations. , was working 11 hours a day sometimes 18 hours. You are a seasoned investigator. Do you have what it needs to investigate doping allegations caseshey involve computs comp lex cases . Complex cases . The resources could be better utilized to ensure investigations are done in the manner to get to the bottom of them and hold those entities or organizations that she accountable on the rules. I am informed you operate on a 30 million edge it. Half is from the Olympic Movement and half is from nationstates. Expertise, is a 30 million budget enough to police the world antidoping code and should the usb contribute more . I dont know the question. There is enough money in sport at least. You saw my testimony of what the ioc has. The money is there. I think whether it sport or government, the question is protecting the integrity of the product enough to spend more than one or 2 on. I think it is. We ought to ensure that there is the resources to do the job. It is supported to sport or additional funds from governments. Do you believe you have nough money to do your jobs . No, i dont. Remiss to give you an exact figure today. In my opening remarks, we are budgeting a clean slate based on new capacities that we have to identify how much money is needed. I will say we talk about the injectioning, of funds into the National Antidoping organization. They are the ones in the field day today carrying out the business. They are not equipped to protect Clean Athletes, we are so far behind and we will never win the game. A 1. 4 billion fund. About 15 million a year. Given the evidence we have heard today detailing statesponsored manipulation,led should the ioc provide more resources . In my opinion it, this is something needs to be handled today and i think we need to find whatever way to take care of this issue, we need to figure it out. Thats more money, then its more money. Growing up in sports, i looked at the greats and how they did it to that was my dream to be one of the best. It is too hard work and dedication and its sad to see other athletes that choose to take different routes to get there. They not only test positive once, but multiple times and they are still allowed to compete at the international level. I dont think thats fair to grindes going to the every single day, trying to make sure we accomplish the goals and dreams we have. I see my time is over and i yield back. Recognize mr. Castello from pennsylvania. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Can you explain what testing is being conducted on these samples and does it include testing on and be samples . Reanalysis program has been a huge success. As you know, before rio we had 100 findings from london and beijing. Although samples from the russian athletes have been reanalyzed and the results of those are in Case Management at the moment. Also, all the samples are in the process of being forensically examined for evidence of manipulation. Some of that was done in a more comprehensive and recordable way to bring violations to those individual athletes. That, may have answered does the testing include a forensic analysis of the sample bottles . Exactly. To document that very exactly so they can be used in a case. Thank you for your time. I want to thank the athletes for your testimony. Its a great way to raise awareness about the need for even more integrity in the testing process. Certainly, you are both american heroes and we recognize you as such. That you tookhy the time to prepare and be here today. I would like to open us up to everyone. What would you deem to be appropriate progress one year from now or two years from now . Toward achieving a more independent and honest system . The first thing that has to happen is to hold all the stakeholders to the same level of accountability you hold the athletes. If we can accomplish that, it will go a long way to clean up sport. The second thing is you got to need to find a way to change the culture that allows this. The difference of this area of the world and others. I know for a fact there are certain areas of the world word doping is just part of the culture. You have to find that there has to be education and reeducation of the key players in those areas. If i could see those two that would be a huge change. I agree with what he said. , its 20 yearsrd to get here. Who knows how long will take us to get forward. Thats frustrating to me. As a nestle is spent 20 years in the pool, this is something that needs to happen now. Im glad people are starting to take this seriously, take this in a serious matter. It is crushing sports. For our youth and for everybody else around the world are in can you put a time limit on a year . I dont know. Its hard hearing when im hearing and trying to put a time frame on it. I have no clue. Thank you for the question. These allegations first came out in 2014. Weve had well over two years to deal with them. Today is the day. Could remove sport from executive functions. 500 million take and set it in a blind trust to fund wada. I think all of those answers are spot on both in terms of the exposing the frustration that athletes feel as well as what can technically be done to show a measurable impact. The final point i want to say is i find it extremely important to note how a system that lacks the integrity or system that can be improved, what that does in terms of disillusionment to our athletes and what decisions athletes may be confronted with when they realize the reality of the situation. American, also, to make sure they are not doing anything to her by the could cause them longterm health impacts. Do not have a system enforces that should be a cause for concern for every parent and every coach and every athletic trainer. I dont think we want to put our children in that position or conundrum. Thank you for your time. I yield back. Thank you, mr. Chairman and i panelists for our putting a face to the athletic advocacy and demonstrating the courage to call out the unethical and disgraceful conduct of those who permit andng to continue to plague cheat the integrity of our International Competition. We truly appreciate your testimony today. The scope and scale of the the investigation is extremely troubling. I would like to understand what sanctions russia will face as a result of the findings. Subsequent to the release of the year,igation in july last the executive Committee Recommended that it decline ally for rio 2016 of athletes submitted by the russian lipid committee and the Paralympic Committee. Wada recommend declining all russian entries . I cant speak on behalf of the executive committee. They reviewed the report and deemed it appropriate to make those recommendations based on a call for Clean Athletes. Know, the ioc did not order a collective ban. If deferred to the International Sport federation to determine which athletes should or should not compete. Stated at the you summer games in rio in 2016, scores of athletes competed despite not having been subject to credible Antidoping Programs. That withointed out few exceptions they had neither the time the expertise to deal effectively with the fallout from the investigation. On why movingate this decision to the International Sports federation may not have resulted in the where onlyocess Clean Athletes were allowed to compete . Im not sure why it was done. The justification for not banning and following the recommendations the rustle of collectiveee was justice versus individual responsibility which makes no sense. If that is your reasoning, to hand the decision on individual justice to 38 different Sports Organizations, thats not going to result in a consistent application in individual cases. The justification that has been given doesnt hold up once its scrutinize. It resulted in shaking the system like its never been shaken before it if the ioc were the Paralympic Committee did and ban those athletes, we are not here today. My final question, feel free to answer as well if you can speak to this, can you describe for us any jurisdictional overlap at the ioc whether its director in direct between those tasked with imposing sanctions for doping charges and those with a vote in determining a future olympic host cities . Ask im not sure i understand the question. Let me repeat it. Anyyou describe for us jurisdictional overlap at the ioc whether direct or indirect between those asked with imposing sanctions for doping charges and those with a vote in determining future olympic host cities . I think thats beyond my jurisdiction to answer. Rio, the jurisdiction over the sanctions was handed over to the court of arbitration. It was not the ioc. They have started the process of this by handing over the actual sanctioning to an independent body. It should be independent from other functions. Of peoplehave a sense are in both entities . Absolutely there is. Wada recommended to ban the russians. When the decision came to the ioc, they voted opposite how they voted on the decision. They wear two hats and make two different outcomes. Vote on who was awarded the let the games. I recognize mr. Carter. I yield back. I thank you for being here. You would takee time out to be with the spread i want to thank you mr. Nelson. We are glad to have you here. What people dont recognize or realize is weve got some really nice food courts in georgia. Certainly not nice enough to warn you been awarded a medal and im very sorry you had to receive it that way. I was researching a little bit. You first heard of this to a reporter . Yes, sir. I had no official contact from the ioc. What i can say is the process is better now and there has been some fantastic medal ceremonies for metal ceremonies who been rewarded metals. I am glad to hear that. What about notifying them . The notification should come to the national Olympic Committee. Before the press is notified . Of course. I have read your resume. Youre a of the traditional olympian. Trained just and like i think most olympians have. I feel like i can relate to you. I wanted to be an olympian. I will say more about that. I ended up the short and slow. Nevertheless, i had those same dreams. You seem to be the traditional olympian. The drug trusting you had to go through, im sure it was quite laborious and impacted your personal life a lot. Morethink michael has had tests than i have experienced. They show up at the most inopportune moments without apologies. Over time you build relationships with them. Its important. They learn of lot about you in the process. Read do you want to share some stories . I will agree, its the wildest times. I would have training trips to Colorado Springs for altitude and i would have a morning off. At 6 05 a. M. By the drug testers. Those of the things were doing it to make sure the sport is clean. I wish i could say that about everybody else. Can you elaborate on that . Im sure you interacted with your international competitors. What experiences have they had . They dont talk about it. Not eatingt they are woken up at at least some of them. You would like to think the 10 ina number of the top the world might be. There are a number of athletes usually under the same standards. I would have to fill out every day where i am at that time. Leave, now i can just get on the phone and get on the app and say my whereabouts are changing. Neuron,say what play what hotel youre staying at. This is what we have gone through for 16 years. You want to see time fly, you need to wait for five minutes. You mention something about working with the pharmaceutical toufacturers and be notified find out what drugs it is you should be looking for. We have an arrangement with them. They will share information on preclinical trial substances so we can find a way to detect methods when athletes are taking them. I am encouraged to hear that. Ive just got a couple more seconds. I want to say this and im not trying to be dramatic and i think its important. You have two worldclass athletes here. They are doing more than just competing. They are here testifying about a problem and trying to fix it. Thank you for doing that. This is important that its fair to them. Kids important to a lot of around the world. There was a time when the three of us were the same area we were all of the backyard. I was the olympic champion. We owe it to those kids. We owe it to those dreamers to make sure its fair. To make sure they have the opportunity to compete. Thank you both and thank you for being here. Chairman and mr. To the panelists. The two best testimony ive heard is disturbing on a number of levels. I am outraged that russian officials cheated, wrote the rules, attacked the integrity of the olympics to influence the outcome of the olympics for their benefit. It kind of sounds familiar, doesnt it . Doping endangered the health of their own athletes. No wonder they put their own athletes at risk, they also cheated the millions of athletes across the globe that work hard and play clean. It violates the trust between nations who put their faith in a system and work toward the same goals, which is an even Playing Field for all athletes. We must have the proper checks and balances in place to ensure toathlete or country cheats have an unfair advantage. Im a physician. Doping is the use of hormones whether its natural or synthetic or blood transfusions to increase the capacity to carry oxygen and increase the red blood cells which could cause an increase in the cost of the this cost city which leads to Health Problems and we see this in the Emergency Department with young athletes. What are the symptoms you can tell a parent or a coach or somebody out there in the community to watch for in case a youth is using these types of enhancing drugs . This is a Health Attack on athletes. So often they are the victims and it goes from supplements and there is a widespread abuse of supplements through to the use of prohibited substances. What are the symptoms for hansen coaches to look for . Masculinization of females as the most obvious with steroids. Also severe act they and hidden side you wouldnt see, cardiac and liver disease. I am halfway through my time. Im going to direct my questions to our heroes. Father. A recent i am a recent father. I just cant wait until they identify what their dreams are. I know there are a lot of kids out there who look up to you and in my district who want to accomplish greatness. What do you tell them when they are pressured to use drugs that will enhance their performance . Speak to them on camera. My biggest thing is my journey started with a dream. That was it. As i said earlier, my coach and i decided we would come up with a plan. We were going to train on holidays. We were never going to take a day off. Nobody would train on sunday. We would get those 52 extra days. We would be one step ahead. If you want to be great, you have to do things other people arent willing to do. It wasnt always fun getting up at 7 00 on a sunday. I wanted to calm push my goal. Nothing was going to stand in my way. I hope somebody breaks my records. I hope i have a chance to see that. Are goingou the kids to attack their dreams and goals. They are not going to give up. I never ever give up. It got hard at times. It got challenging for me. Kids and see that in in the future of sports, to have that power, you can get from your mind and not being afraid to dream. What would you tell the kids that are being pressured or flirting with the idea of using doping to enhance them. Its ok to have this conversation. My dad set down with me when i was 16 years old because i was already lifting weights of time. He said im going to disown you if you ever do this. That was enough for me. Set their expectations early. The second piece is to talk about what the spirit of the olympian is. The medals, but the medals are a reward for the work you get there. Most of what happens as a lubbock athletes happens when no one else is watching. You have to have a goldmedal process. It must be based on principles. Thats up to the parents and the people deciding what they are. If you allow this to come into your life in any level, you are promoting this particular issue. Thats what i would say. Thank you very much. You mr. Chairman thanks to the panel for being here. I appreciate this discussion. A evaluate the role of others in violations . What a coach finds out an athlete has tested positive at a coach in courage to him or her what happens . What is the punishment for the coach . Thats the responsibility of the national federations. Positivethlete tests and is sanctioned, there is a requirement for the National Organizations to look at the entourage and see if there was influence. Is that done comprehensive in out . I dont believe so. If there was no punishment to following this, we know the coaches can go train other athletes the same weight. Are we doing something to get at that . If a coach is complacent in assisting an athlete, they will be sanctioned. There has to be the mechanism to ask for that. I would say its critically important to break down systems they abuse their own athletes like in russia. They had very little choice but to participate in the system. Thats abusive to those russian athletes. We should do Everything Possible to stop the abuse by systems of individual athletes and its why we are so frustrated the ioc refused to take any meaningful systems. Thats where it sets the standard for the World Community to do that. Sanctions have to be sure and complete, otherwise there will be more people that refuse to look and watch the figure skating going on. Sensing that something is wrong there. I wish you well on that. I was a wrestler in high school and college. I dont think doping would have changed my outcomes from my opponent or myself. Watching danforget gable who is a contemporary of mine. Finals, watching him 70 against the guy he is defeated before from washington. Coming to the last seconds of by one point. Lost it was the result of reversal. Knowing that he had never lost in high school or college, this was the first loss of his career. X spent the next time for the beating his body into submission. He won a golden the olympics. Thats the thrill you were talking about. Mr. Nelson, youve given me hope that final second reversal i had , maybe i will get that point. You, insked the two of your opinion, what motivates athletes to use performanceenhancing drugs . Beyond just to win . What motivates them . I dont know. Tells the only thing i can you. As somebody who has competed clean for 20 years, i have no clue why somebody would do that. Im a little older. I couldve ever having conversations with some of the older athletes back in the 90s. One of the things that was very , i rememberat time a conversation with one specific athlete who said you cant throw 20 meters clean. Prejudgment on what they can do by themselves. They never gave themselves enough time to develop the skill set to do that. Cantponse was no, you throw 20 meters clean. I did. I believed i could. To answer the question specifically, its a combination of insecurity and the culture they surround themselves with. Until we find the answer to that question, and are able to do with the athletes to a conclusion, we have to be sanctioning bodies that are resolute in doing whatever it that natureabove and make it fair for guys who will not do that at any cost. Thank you for being part of this panel. We have a wrap up of 30 seconds. Thank you very much. I want to thank everybody for coming today. Encouraged to hear you say your organizations are interested in making change. Think your direct testimony has been helpful. In 2003 this committee when we did the investigations on the salt lake rigging. Wherehe same situation the ioc, the intentions were good. I think because of illumination hearing, itnother kind of nudged people around. I agree, we have been investigating this for a long time. We can figure out what we need to do about the funding and we can do it soon. The chairman i were just talking. I hope we have another hearing soon i hope various organizations will come to that hearing and tell us the changes they are going to make. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Said,i listen to what you we have three gold medals from pennsylvania. A guy named kurt angle. Withed to run up the hill other students on his back. They are outstanding people. With all the other things going on, they can still shine and get their gold medal. They dont have to get it in a fooled food court. Weve heard a lot of commitments to reform the system today. To this commit committee to keep us informed of your progress on these reforms and reappear once they are completed . On behalf of the World Antidoping Agency, we would be pleased to keep you uptodate Going Forward. I can echo that. Thank you. Additionalome documents that were submitted. I ask unanimous consent to have those into the hearing record. Without objection, we will do that. I want to thank the witnesses and members that committed participated. With that, thank you for your attending the hearing. We are adjourned. Will