Montreal (Canada), Nov 22: The world anti-doping agency gave governments an additional six months to pay their 2004 dues, but said it will impose penalties on those who miss the deadline. Countries will now have until June 30 to pay their 2004 dues, instead of December 31, but agency President Dick Pound said yesterday that deadbeat countries could lose their seats on the Wada board and executive committee. As penalty for nonpayment, the international Olympic committee also could refuse accreditation to government officials for the 2004 Athens games and prohibit use of the national flag at opening, closing and medal ceremonies. "There should be no reason for governments not to make their payments on time (under this plan)," pound said following a meeting of Wada's executive committee in Montreal.
Pound said the United States, Italy and Ukraine were among countries yet to pay their annual dues to Wada, which is jointly funded by the Olympic sports movement and national governments.

The US annually provides USD 800,000 in direct funding to Wada through the White House office of national drug control policy.


Wada so far has received USD 13 million, or 65 per cent of its 2003 budget, with only a month to go before countries are scheduled to make their 2004 contributions.


Governments have paid only USD 6.5 million of their total share of USD 10.1 million.


Bureau Report