Doping-WADA renews call for USADA to get tougher on testing

:The World Anti-Doping Agency has renewed its call for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to better protect clean sport in the United States amid what it says are growing concerns about athletes attending major events without being sufficiently tested.

According to a WADA letter viewed by Reuters on Monday that was sent to USADA board chair Tobie Smith last Friday, 90 per cent of all athletes in the United States compete outside the protection of the anti-doping Code.

WADA said it received a letter in July on behalf of 32 national and regional anti-doping organisations from Europe, Asia and Africa who appear concerned the U.S. are sending athletes to major events like the Olympics and world championships without being sufficiently tested in advance.

"It is surely time to address these issues that directly concern USADA and U.S. athletes," WADA said in its letter to USADA that called for reforms of the anti-doping system within the U.S., especially when it comes to college sports.

The letter was signed by WADA President Witold Banka and Director General Olivier Niggli.

USADA called the letter an "attempt at deflection" ahead of Thursday's complete report by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier into the case of 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned substances and were cleared to compete in the Tokyo Olympics.

In July, Cottier, who was hand-picked by the global anti-doping agency, found WADA did not mishandle or show favouritism in the case of the Chinese swimmers.

The swimmers were cleared by a Chinese investigation which said they were inadvertently exposed to trimetazidine - a medication that increases blood flow to the heart - through contamination.

Banka has previously said Cottier's report could include recommendations but