The discovery that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for an illegal drug prior to the Tokyo Olympics but were allowed to compete had Aquatics GB saying it is extremely concerning. At a training camp seven months prior to the postponed Games in 2021, the swimmers all tested positive for the cardiac drug trimetazidine (TMZ).
The officials involved in that decision have come under heavy criticism, even though it transpired that they had accidentally consumed the chemical due to contamination.
Aquatics GB stated: “We are extremely concerned by allegations concerning positive tests in the build-up to the Tokyo Olympics Games which were reported over the weekend…The potential loss of trust and reputational damage to sport is significant and we will be monitoring any further updates and possible resolutions closely.”
Chinada on not punishing the swimmers
The BBC was notified by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) that the China Anti-Doping Agency (Chinada) had decided not to penalize the swimmers back in June 2021. According to Chinada’s report, the swimmers who tested positive were lodged at the same hotel. The kitchen, the extraction unit over the hallway, and the drainage units all had evidence of TMZ.
No appeal of Chinada’s ruling was brought forward. As per Wada, it was, “not in a position to disprove the possibility that contamination was the source of TMZ”. At the Tokyo Olympics, China’s 30-person swimming team took home six medals, including three golds.
With these issues arising months prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aquatics GB remarked: “As we build towards Paris 2024 we are fully supportive of the consistent and comprehensive testing process that our athletes have to follow as a means of keeping sport clean.”
Source: BBC
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