China Fires Back at US Amid Swimmer Doping Scandal Allegations

The World Anti-Doping Agency and World Aquatics have confirmed 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics.

BEIJING, China — China is ramping up its response to ongoing doping allegations concerning its swimmers at the Paris Olympics.

The China Anti-Doping Agency called for rigorous testing of American track and field athletes. They referenced past doping scandals and criticized the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s handling of them in a recent news release.

Chinese state media have echoed these sentiments, accusing international bodies of applying double standards to Chinese athletes. Despite over 600 tests conducted on Chinese swimmers at the Paris Games showing no violations, skepticism persists.

The positive tests from before the Tokyo Olympics were not publicly disclosed until media reports surfaced earlier this year. Both the World Anti-Doping Agency and World Aquatics accepted China’s explanation that tainted food caused the results.

Following these revelations, the U.S. initiated an investigation under a 2020 law empowering federal authorities to probe sports doping and cover-ups.

During a meeting in Paris, the head of China’s Olympic delegation urged the U.S. to cease its far-reaching jurisdiction. They also stressed the importance of a fair and safe participation for all athletes in upcoming Olympics in Los Angeles and Salt Lake City.

China has focused scrutiny on American sprinter Erriyon Knighton, who competed in the 200-meter finals after testing positive in March. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency attributed his positive test to contaminated meat, allowing him to compete, and a Chinese agency release criticized this decision.

The Chinese agency issued another statement demanding increased testing of U.S. athletes just this week.

Competitors from other countries also voiced their opinions as China secured 12 medals in swimming in Paris, including a gold in the men’s 4×100 medley relay. Chinese swimmers staunchly denied any wrongdoing.

U.S. swimming legend Michael Phelps advocated for stricter penalties, suggesting a lifetime ban for those who test positive for banned substances.

British swimmer Adam Peaty condemned a system that allowed Chinese swimmers, who had previously tested positive, to compete. “As an honorable person, I mean, you should be out of the sport,” he said, acknowledging the complexity of sports regulations.