China’s anti-doping agency has issued a strong statement rejecting a US demand for the release of details surrounding its investigation into 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned substances. The agency, known as CHINADA, stated that the US request, which lacks any legal basis, violates the World Anti-Doping Code and the legitimate rights and interests of the athletes involved.
The controversy surrounding the investigation arose after the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chief executive, Travis Tygart, and prominent US swimmers Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt, testified before a Congressional oversight committee in Washington. They criticized the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for its handling of the case, which involved 23 Chinese swimmers testing positive for the banned prescription heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) in early 2021. WADA accepted the Chinese authorities’ explanation that the positive tests were due to food contamination at a hotel where the swimmers stayed.
Adding further complexity to the issue, The New York Times published revelations last week highlighting that three of the swimmers, including two 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medalists and a current world record holder, had tested positive for banned substances years prior to the Tokyo Games.
Tygart, in his testimony, emphasized the need for reform within the WADA, asserting that a failure to do so would constitute an unacceptable injustice to athletes, fans, and sponsors. Notably, China has included 11 of the swimmers implicated in the doping scandal in its team for the upcoming Paris Olympics, scheduled to begin next month.
CHINADA’s unwavering stance against the US request underscores the escalating tensions surrounding the handling of doping cases in international sport. The agency’s determination to protect the athletes’ rights and interests, even amidst pressure from the US, further complicates the situation, potentially leading to renewed scrutiny and debates over anti-doping regulations and procedures within the global sports community.
