The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has called for a complete overhaul of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and an independent investigation into allegations that Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics.
USADA’s demands come after WADA refuted accusations that it covered up 23 positive tests for trimetazidine, a prescription heart drug that can enhance performance. USADA maintains that WADA’s inaction represents a failure of the entire anti-doping system and calls on governments and sports leaders to take immediate action to ensure transparency and accountability.
The Chinese swimmers in question were able to compete at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after global governing bodies accepted China’s findings that they had unwittingly ingested the substance from food at a meet. Several of the swimmers won medals at Tokyo and some are set to compete at this summer’s Paris Olympics.
USADA’s statement on Tuesday declared that none of the questions about WADA or China’s anti-doping agency (CHINADA) were “satisfactorily answered” by WADA on Monday. “The selective and self-serving application of the rules we heard about yesterday destroys public trust in the authenticity and value of the Olympic and Paralympic Movement,” the USADA release said.
“Learning that different rules can be applied to different countries sours the commitment of those who are vital to its ongoing viability, including the world’s best athletes, fans, sponsors, and the next generation of athletes.”
USADA’s CEO, Travis Tygart, said in a statement that “WADA’s willingness to blindfold and handcuff itself and to maintain that it would do the same thing all over again is yet another stab in the back to clean athletes.”
WADA President Witold Banka defended the agency’s actions, saying that “no credible evidence of wrongdoing was provided by any source who came forward on this file.” Banka said that WADA “followed the whole due process and diligently investigated every line of inquiry.”
The USADA statement called for an independent investigation into the positive tests and a review of WADA’s governance. USADA also called for governments to appoint an independent prosecutor to review the case file and ensure that justice is delivered.
“An immediate first step to repairing the damage of this cover-up is for governments to appoint an Independent Prosecutor to review the entire case file of the 23 positive tests and ensure that justice is delivered,” USADA said.
“The effort to achieve whatever justice possible at this time must happen before the 2024 Paris Games, as it is unfair for all athletes competing in these Games to possibly compete against those who tested positive and whose results were kept secret until now.”
The allegations of a cover-up have cast a shadow over the anti-doping system and raised questions about the fairness of the Olympic Games. The outcome of the independent investigation and the actions taken by WADA and governments will be closely watched by athletes, fans, and anti-doping advocates around the world.
