World Anti-Doping Agency refutes claims of mishandling elite Chinese swimmers' positive drug tests

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has strongly criticized the accusations of mishandling a case involving over 20 elite Chinese swimmers testing positive for a banned substance in 2021. The agency called the allegations "outrageous" and "completely false."

This statement came in response to claims made by Travis Tygart, the chief of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Tygart accused WADA and Chinese officials of neglecting to properly address the positive drug tests and not adhering to the regulations regarding doping in sports.

The dispute revolves around the sensitive topic of doping in high-level sports. It all started with a report by the New York Times, which revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers were allowed to compete, including in the Tokyo Olympics, despite testing positive for doping months earlier.

The report, which was a collaboration with German public broadcaster ARD, disclosed that almost half of China's swimming team for the Tokyo Games had failed drug tests. Shockingly, some of these athletes even went on to win medals, including three golds.

CNN has contacted the Chinese Olympic Committee to get their comment on the matter.

In a statement released on Saturday, WADA expressed its support for the findings of its thorough scientific inquiry. The organization also expressed shock and disbelief at the baseless and damaging comments made by Tygart, who has accused WADA of serious wrongdoing in relation to the case.

Earlier that day, the agency responded to media reports by stating that they had reviewed the decision made by Chinese authorities. They also addressed queries from USADA and the International Testing Agency regarding the swimmers who tested positive, allowing them to continue competing.

In response to recent media reports, the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) stated that the information was "misleading." This statement was reported by Chinese state agency Xinhua on Saturday.

CHINADA recently conducted doping tests at a national swimming event in 2021, where some swimmers were found to have tested positive for a very low level of trimetazidine (TMZ), as reported by Xinhua.

Trimetazidine (TMZ) is a heart medication that has been prohibited by WADA since 2014. This substance affects metabolism and is thought to enhance endurance during physical activities. The issue gained worldwide attention during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics when Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva received a four-year ban after testing positive for it before the event.

CHINADA decided not to hold the Chinese swimmers accountable for their results. They found that the athletes were unknowingly exposed to a substance due to contamination, as reported by Xinhua.

WADA, in a statement on Saturday, mentioned that they were informed by CHINADA in June 2021 about their decision regarding the swimmers who had tested positive earlier in the year.

WADA stated that as part of its review, they gathered additional scientific information on TMZ and consulted with independent experts to investigate the contamination theory and the potential benefits of low doses of TMZ for athletes in a swimming competition.

The agency ultimately determined that it could not rule out the possibility of contamination as the source of TMZ, as it aligned with the analytical data available. They shared their findings with both internal and external investigators to maintain transparency.

In another statement on Saturday, Tygart from the USADA criticized WADA and CHINADA for not being transparent about their findings, leaving clean athletes uninformed.

Tygart pointed out that despite all their talk, the truth is that WADA did not take immediate action by suspending the athletes, invalidating their results, and informing the public about the positive tests.

"These are serious mistakes, even if you believe their explanation that this was contamination and a powerful drug suddenly showed up in a kitchen, causing 23 elite Chinese swimmers to test positive," Tygart commented, referring to information mentioned in The New York Times' article that quoted a report from Chinese investigators.

In response to Tygart's comments, WADA stated that it had to involve its legal team for further steps due to what it considered as untrue accusations.

It also said “media coverage” of the situation was “misleading and potentially defamatory,” in an apparent reference to the New York Times report.

Editor's P/S:

The recent allegations of mishandling a doping case involving Chinese swimmers have sparked widespread outrage and controversy. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) strongly denies the accusations, calling them "outrageous" and "completely false." The dispute highlights the complexities and challenges in combating doping in elite sports.

While WADA maintains its support for the findings of its inquiry, US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chief Travis Tygart has criticized the lack of transparency and action taken by WADA and Chinese officials. Tygart's comments raise concerns about the potential implications for clean athletes and the integrity of competitions. As the investigation continues, it is crucial for all involved parties to adhere to the principles of fair play and due process, ensuring the protection of both athletes and the integrity of sport.