WASHINGTON, DC - The Energy and Commerce Committee started the week recognizing #RareDiseaseDay, where we honored every patient living with a rare disease via video. The same day, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hosted a hearing featuring Olympic athletes Adam Nelson and Michael Phelps to examine the international anti-doping system. We rounded out our week with the Health Subcommittee hosting a hearing on the reauthorization of important user fee programs.
Be sure to check out #BehindTheScenes photos of the committee’s Olympic-sized Tuesday below.
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Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) met with the most-decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, ahead of Tuesday’s anti-doping hearing.
Witnesses for Tuesday’s #SubOversight hearing included all-star athletes Adam Nelson and Michael Phelps. Representatives from agencies like the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were also present.
Reps. Mimi Walters (R-CA) and Tim Murphy (R-PA), Chairman of Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, listen intently as both Adam Nelson and Michael Phelps share testimony about their journey to the gold.
The room broke out into a wild applause after learning that Olympic shot-putter Adam Nelson was finally presented with his gold medal - nearly 10 years after competing. The athlete previously awarded gold had tested positive in a retroactive drug testing of samples and Mr. Nelson picked up his medal in a food court in the Atlanta airport.
Michigan Representative, Tim Walberg, shared his experience as an athlete who competed in college and asked witnesses questions about their time and experience both training and competing.
Following the hearing, Olympic gold-medalist Adam Nelson allowed members, including Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), to don his gold medal that he earned from competing in the 2004 Atlanta Olympics.
