LONDON -- The head of the World Anti-Doping Agency accused the White House on Tuesday of showing no interest in the fight against performance-enhancing drugs in sports.

WADA president Dick Pound said the Bush administration's lack of support could lead to sanctions against the U.S. team at next summer's Athens Olympics and affect New York's bid for the 2012 games.

"There's just a complete vacuum and void there as far as we're concerned," Pound said in a conference call on the eve of WADA meetings in Montreal. "Our sense is they're not the slightest bit interested in this issue."

Jennifer de Vallance, spokeswoman for the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, called Pound's comments "disingenuous and unproductive."

"This is out of left field," she said by phone from Washington. "We work with his staff on a regular and close basis. I'm a little mystified that he feels that way. We remain steadfastly committed to WADA's mission."

Pound said the United States, Italy and Ukraine were among the major countries yet to pay their annual dues to WADA, which is jointly funded by the Olympic sports movement and national governments.

WADA, which was created in 1999 to spearhead global drug-testing efforts, has collected less than two-thirds of its funding for 2003 -- about $13 million of its $20 million budget. The contributions were due by the beginning of this year.

Payment of the U.S. funds has been held up by the passage of the federal budget in Congress.

"We've had great support from the Congressional side ... but vis-a-vis the White House we are just striking out and are very disappointed in the lack of leadership being demonstrated."

De Vallance said Congress is expected to pass the federal budget in the next few days, clearing the way for payment of the WADA dues.

Pound said the White House position was "all the more inexplicable" considering the recent doping developments in the United States. He cited positive tests for the newly detected steroid THG and stimulant modafinil.

Pound said WADA will decide this week on sanctions against governments that haven't paid up, including stripping them of their seats on the WADA board and executive committee.

In addition, he said the IOC could refuse accreditation to government officials for the Athens Games and prohibit use of the national flag at opening, closing and medal ceremonies.

Pound, a senior member of the International Olympic Committee, said countries that don't pay their contributions or enact the WADA code could be banned from bidding to host the Olympics.

Such a move could affect New York, one of nine cities in the running for the 2012 Games. The IOC will select the host city in 2005.

Spokesman Daryl Seibel said the U.S. Olympic Committee will work with the National Drug Control Policy and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to make sure the issues are resolved as quickly as possible.

"We recognize that these are important issues in the fight against doping in sport," Seibel said. "Our government is well aware of the importance of these issues and their potential impact on the USOC."