International to Conduct Independent Review of Doping Cases Involving Chinese Athletes

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has requested the appointment of an independent prosecutor to review the handling procedure of the doping case involving 23 Chinese swimmers. At the same time, it has once again rejected accusations of bias towards Beijing.

According to WADA, Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier will be authorized to “comprehensively and without limitations review” all files and documents related to this case, then submit a report within two months before the Paris Olympics.

WADA also stated that they will dispatch a compliance audit team to China to evaluate the current status of China’s anti-doping program.

Last week, it was reported that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for banned substances during doping tests in 2021, but were later cleared by the China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA), a decision that WADA also approved. This news sparked strong criticism from anti-doping agencies in the US, UK, and Australia.

According to reports, traces of the banned substance Trimetazidine (TMZ) were found in the kitchen, ventilation system, ceiling, and drainage system of a hotel where the Chinese swimmers stayed. However, CHINADA ruled that the athletes were not at fault.

After consulting with scientific experts, WADA concluded that there was no need to appeal this decision.

The story only became public three years after it happened, leading to criticism of both the Chinese anti-doping agency and WADA. Travis Tygart, CEO of the US Anti-Doping Agency, accused them of failing to fairly and impartially comply with global rules, criticizing WADA for covering up doping violations in China.

WADA stated that the request for independent investigator Cottier is to clarify two issues. Firstly, whether WADA’s evaluation showed any bias towards Beijing, improper interference, or other misconduct in accepting the decision not to prosecute the 23 Chinese swimmers by the Chinese anti-doping agency. Secondly, the reasonableness of WADA’s decision regarding the contamination scenario proposed by the Chinese anti-doping agency.

WADA President Witold Banka, following the decision by the Executive Committee, reiterated that the current criticisms against them are unjust.

“The integrity and reputation of WADA are under attack,” he said. “In the past few days, WADA has been unfairly accused of favoring Beijing for not appealing the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We continue to deny these false accusations and are pleased to entrust these issues to an experienced and respected independent prosecutor.”

WADA Director General Olivier Niggli agreed with this decision, adding, “While no evidence has been presented to support any of the accusations against WADA, we hope to address this matter as quickly and comprehensively as possible before the upcoming Paris Olympics and Paralympics.”

Beijing has called the reports on the 23 Chinese swimmers’ positive doping cases “fake news.”

On the same day, anti-doping authorities in Australia and the UK called for a review of WADA’s procedures.

The UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) and the Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) released statements on Thursday urging WADA to conduct an independent review of its regulatory framework and procedures.

UKAD expressed, “We hope that WADA can help restore trust and confidence in anti-doping work worldwide by expediting this process and continue to protect and support clean athletes.”

Australia stated that athletes in Australia and worldwide need to have confidence in WADA’s global anti-doping system and believe that all competitions are fair, and all athletes are treated equally.

“Sport Integrity Australia has directly written to WADA seeking clarifications on the handling of this case,” it added.

This case has been a sore point for Australia. Australian freestyle swimmer Shayna Jack was banned for four years after failing a drug test, claiming it was due to contaminated supplements.

Shayna Jack missed the Tokyo Olympics due to the ban. After appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, her ban was reduced to two years as the court found she did not intentionally take a banned substance.

Last week, the US Anti-Doping Agency called for a thorough investigation and reform within WADA.