A high-ranking White House official has called for an impartial inquiry into how anti-doping authorities cleared 23 Chinese swimmers despite testing positive for a banned substance just months before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy and Joe Biden’s top anti-doping official, plans to address the issue at a meeting of sports ministers in Washington this week, where representatives from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will also be present. WADA acknowledged that the Chinese swimmers tested positive for the drug but accepted China’s explanation that it was due to substance contamination. This decision not to penalize or publicly name the swimmers has sparked significant criticism and calls for a new investigation.
Dr. Gupta emphasized the need for thorough, independent investigations to ensure fairness for athletes worldwide. British Olympic champion Adam Peaty joined in the criticism, expressing disappointment over WADA’s failure to disclose the findings before the Tokyo Olympics.
Adam Peaty questioned the decision to withhold the information at the time, highlighting the lack of transparency and suggesting that it raises questions about the integrity of the system.
Despite the controversy, China’s swimming team performed well at the Tokyo Games, winning six medals, including three golds. WADA officials defended their actions, stating that they would make the same decision if faced with a similar situation again.
However, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman dismissed reports of positive tests as “false information.” Typically, athletes who fail doping tests face bans of two to four years for a first offense and a lifetime ban for a second offense.
World Aquatics, formerly known as FINA, expressed confidence in how the positive tests were handled, stating that they were reviewed diligently and professionally, with materials subject to independent expert scrutiny.
