Witold Banka was re-elected president of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in an unopposed vote held on Thursday, thus securing his third and final term at the helm of the organization. Despite having gone through a year marked by controversies—including the scandal involving 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive prior to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games—the Polish official managed to come through unscathed and retain the support of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the road to future Olympic events in the United States.
The former Minister of Sports of Poland, aged 40, will remain in office until 2028 alongside Vice President Yang Yang, who was also re-elected unanimously. Both highlighted in their speeches the importance of strengthening the anti-doping system, improving the athletes’ experience, and consolidating the advances in education and governance achieved since 2020: “I accept this final term with humility, determination, and a deep sense of responsibility,” Banka said after the vote.
A resilient leadership amid global tensions
Since assuming the presidency of WADA in 2020, Banka has had to navigate institutional crises, political tensions, and public criticism over the handling of sensitive cases involving countries like China and Russia. The most recent controversy arose following a report by The New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD, which questioned the decision to allow Chinese swimmers with traces of trimetazidine, a banned substance, to compete. Although a report by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier cleared WADA of wrongdoing, the review was labeled biased by several sectors, deepening distrust. The case even led to threats of financial cuts from the United States, prompting the IOC, through outgoing president Thomas Bach, to step in and help ease tensions.
Beyond the controversies, Banka has been recognized for leading reforms in transparency and governance within WADA, as well as for building a structure more focused on the athletes. His uncontested re-election shows strong institutional support, despite external pressures and ongoing tension with actors such as Russia, whose anti-doping agency (RUSADA) remains suspended. Moreover, this new term will mark the beginning of a new era without Bach at the IOC, as he will be replaced by Kirsty Coventry in June 2025—a factor that could influence the balance of power in sports worldwide. Nevertheless, Banka and Yang seem determined to close out their tenure by reinforcing the anti-doping mission more strongly than ever.
