23 Chinese Swimmers Compete in Tokyo Games Despite Doping Failures

In 2021, ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing heart medication during a domestic competition spanning late 2020 to early 2021, according to The New York Times. Despite these findings, these athletes, who comprised nearly half of China’s swimming delegation to Tokyo and included several medalists, were permitted to compete. The decision followed after Chinese anti-doping officials concluded that the presence of the substance was unintentional, resulting from contaminated food, and therefore did not merit sanctions.

Confidential documents and communications reviewed by the newspaper revealed that both the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the international swimming federation, World Aquatics (formerly known as FINA), accepted China’s explanation without further challenge due to insufficient evidence to dispute the claim of accidental ingestion.

While WADA, which did not immediately respond to AFP for comment, indicated to The New York Times that the decision was made after consulting with experts and external legal advisors, confirming the lack of a solid basis to contest the contamination claims. World Aquatics also stated that the issue was thoroughly examined by its doping review board and independent experts, assuring compliance with global anti-doping regulations.

However, the United States Anti-Doping Agency criticized the decision, arguing that the athletes should have been suspended and identified publicly. Its chief executive, Travis T. Tygart, expressed disappointment, describing the situation as a betrayal to athletes committed to competing clean and noted that he had reported suspicions of doping within Chinese swimming to WADA multiple times since 2020.

The Chinese anti-doping agency and China’s swimming association did not respond to requests for comments at the time of the report.

This controversy is set against the backdrop of a problematic history of doping in Chinese swimming, including multiple positive steroid tests at the 1994 Asian Games and a high-profile incident in 1998 when swimmer Yuan Yuan was banned after being caught with human growth hormones. More recently, renowned swimmer Sun Yang faced a doping ban that excluded him from the Tokyo Olympics.