IOC pushes Utah officials, US Olympic leaders to persuade FBI to drop WADA probe as part of 2034 Games deal

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The International Committee (IOC) on Wednesday pushed Utah officials to end an FBI investigation into an alleged doping coverup involving the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Chinese swimmers as it celebrated Salt Lake City as the host of the 2034 Winter Games.

The entire deal for Salt Lake City to get the Games was contingent on Utah officials, including Gov. Spencer Cox, and U.S. Olympic leaders to lobby federal authorities to get the investigation dropped – a probe that has been the talk among American Olympic swimmers for weeks.

The IOC added a clause in the contract demanding the termination of the probe. 

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Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks about Salt Lake City's bid to host the 2034 Winter Olympics, on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

"That was the only way that we could guarantee that we would get the Games," Cox said after the announcement, adding that if the U.S. doesn’t respect the "supreme authority" of WADA then "they can withdraw the Games from us."

The scandal broke out months before Olympians splashed down into the pool.

It was revealed in the spring that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned heart medication before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and were still allowed by WADA to compete. Five of the swimmers went on to win medals, including two gold. Eleven of the swimmers who tested positive ahead of Tokyo are set to compete in Paris.

WADA then cleared itself of any wrongdoing in handling the case involving the Chinese swimmers. A special prosecutor, appointed by the agency, determined that WADA’s decision not to punish the