China Hits Back at US Following Explosive Doping Allegations Against Swimmers

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

BEIJING, China — Facing ongoing doping allegations at the Paris Olympics, China has intensified its response.

The China Anti-Doping Agency demanded on Thursday that American track and field athletes undergo more rigorous testing, citing previous doping scandals and questioning the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s handling of them.

State media in China have argued that double standards are in play, noting over 600 tests conducted on Chinese swimmers at the Paris Games, all of which were clean.

World Anti-Doping Agency and World Aquatics officials accepted China’s explanation that tainted food caused the positive tests revealed earlier this year.

Following these revelations, the U.S. launched an investigation under a 2020 law that allows federal probes into sports doping and cover-ups.

This week in Paris, the head of China’s Olympic delegation urged America to cease its “long-arm jurisdiction” to ensure smooth participation in future Olympics, according to an official Chinese sports newspaper.

Attention has also been drawn to American sprinter Erriyon Knighton, who tested positive for a banned substance in March. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency cleared Knighton, citing contaminated meat as the cause.

The Chinese agency accused the U.S. of double standards and called again on Thursday for increased testing of American athletes.

China won 12 swimming medals in Paris, including the men’s 4×100 medley relay gold, ending a long U.S. dominance in that event. Chinese swimmers have denied cheating.

Michael Phelps has backed stricter sanctions, including lifetime bans for those who test positive for banned substances.

British swimmer Adam Peaty criticized the current system, noting that positive testers shouldn’t compete. “As an honorable person, you should be out of the sport,” he said, “but we know sport isn’t that simple.”