US officials urge investigations into Chinese doping allegations ahead of Olympics
Allegations of doping by 23 Chinese swimmers have sparked calls from US officials for investigations by the US Department of Justice and the International Olympic Committee. The doping controversy has taken a diplomatic turn, raising concerns before the upcoming Olympics.
A doping case involving 23 Chinese swimmers took a diplomatic turn on Wednesday. US lawmakers have urged the US Department of Justice and the International Olympic Committee to investigate the controversy.
According to a report from the New York Times in collaboration with German public broadcaster ARD, the Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, a banned performance-enhancing substance, several months before the Tokyo Olympics. Despite this, they were still allowed to compete in the tournament and even went on to win medals.
US Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and John Moolenaar, who are the two leading members of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, have expressed serious concerns about a scandal involving the People’s Republic of China (PRC) at the Olympic Games. They believe this scandal raises legal, ethical, and competitive issues, similar to what Russia has done in the past.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the lawmakers called for an investigation to determine if the alleged doping was supported by the state. They also suggested that if this is proven to be true, it may require additional diplomatic actions by the United States and the international community.
Track & Field: Summer Olympics: USA Alysia Johnson Montano during Women's 800M Final at Olympic Stadium. London, United Kingdom 8/11/2012 CREDIT: Bill Frakes (Photo by Bill Frakes /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X155220 TK5 R2 F157 )
Alysia Johnson Montano from the USA competed in the Women's 800M Final at the Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom on August 11, 2012. The event took place at the Olympic Stadium. The image captures her in action during this exciting competition. Credit goes to Bill Frakes for this photograph, which showcases the dedication and athleticism of the athletes.
Bill Frakes/Sports Illustrated/Getty Images
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Alysia Montaño will receive a bronze medal as her competitors were found to have used performance-enhancing drugs. Despite this, she still feels deeply disappointed by the situation.
Additionally, as we approach the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris with less than 100 days to go, it is essential to fully grasp the extent of this scandal to guarantee that our U.S. athletes have a level playing field to compete on.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has denied claims that the case was mishandled, calling the allegations "outrageous" and "completely false." The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) has also criticized media reports on the situation as "misleading."
Following this, WADA has taken steps to conduct an independent review of how the case was managed.
CNN has contacted the Department of Justice, the IOC, and WADA to get their comments on the matter.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) states that trimetazidine is a medication used to prevent angina attacks. Angina attacks are sudden chest, jaw, and back pains caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, usually triggered by physical exertion.
Metabolism is affected by it, as the body breaks down substances to turn them into energy. This helps in breaking down glucose faster, which can be used to prevent myocardial ischaemia (reduced blood supply to the heart muscle) as per the EMA.
These reports have raised concerns among athletes and governing bodies.
The Canadian Olympic Committee expressed concern over media reports that were previously unknown to them. Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, stated that the organization was saddened by the allegations that challenge the principles of fair competition.
During a press conference last month, WADA president Witold Banka assured that the agency thoroughly investigated the matter, following all proper procedures. They concluded that there was no evidence of wrongdoing and no credible way to disprove the contamination theory accepted by CHINADA.
According to a statement from CHINADA reported by Xinhua, swimmers at a national swimming event in 2021 were found to have a very small amount of trimetazidine in their system.
Trimetazidine is a substance that can enhance endurance and has been prohibited by WADA since 2014.
CHINADA decided that the athletes should not be blamed for the results. They found in their investigation that the athletes were exposed to the substance accidentally due to contamination, as reported by Xinhua.
Reporting on the issue was also contributed by CNN’s Sam Joseph.
Editor's P/S:
The doping scandal involving Chinese swimmers has cast a dark shadow over the integrity of the Olympic Games. The allegations of state-sponsored doping raise serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the competition. The involvement of US lawmakers and international organizations in investigating the case underscores the gravity of the situation.
It is crucial to establish the truth and hold those responsible accountable. The World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Olympic Committee must conduct a thorough and independent investigation to determine the extent of the doping violations and any potential involvement of the Chinese government. The findings of the investigation should lead to appropriate sanctions, including the disqualification of athletes and potential diplomatic consequences.
