By C. Perera, JadeTimes News
The World Anti Doping Agency has stated that it finds itself "unfairly caught" in the midst of a dispute between the US and China, with their geopolitical tensions extending to the Olympic stage. China's top swimmers have come under scrutiny due to multiple doping allegations, followed by contentious US claims that WADA was involved in a cover up. Chinese swimmers heading to Paris underwent drug tests twice as frequently as those from some other countries, leading to accusations of a conspiracy to undermine their performance.
In a statement on Tuesday, WADA mentioned being "caught in the middle of geopolitical tensions between superpowers" without having the mandate to engage in such disputes. James Fitzgerald, WADA's head of media relations, told the certain individuals in the US were trying to score political points solely because the athletes involved were Chinese, which has created distrust and division within the anti doping system.
Geopolitical rivalries, trade wars, and Beijing's relationship with Russia have strained relations between the world's two largest economies. It is not surprising that these tensions have influenced competitive sports, driving a harder wedge.
Last week, WADA announced it was considering legal action against its US counterpart, the US Anti Doping Agency, over "defamatory" accusations. USADA had alleged that WADA and China's anti doping agency, CHINADA, were complicit in covering up positive tests and suppressing whistleblowers. US lawmakers also accused WADA of failing to properly investigate doping allegations against Chinese swimmers and introduced a bill to potentially cut funding to the agency.
Fitzgerald noted that when members of Congress and senators intervene in the technical world of anti doping, it shifts from scientific and legal analysis to political maneuvering.
WADA's statement followed reports by the New York Times about a previously undisclosed case involving two Chinese swimmers, including one on this year’s Olympic team, who tested positive for a banned steroid in 2022 but were cleared to compete. CHINADA concluded that the athletes unknowingly consumed the steroid through contaminated burgers.
USADA accused WADA of allowing China to compete under different rules, thereby tilting the field in their favor. WADA defended its decision, stating that the athletes’ nutritional supplements and hair tests returned negative results, and that their control samples were negative before and after the positive test. The swimmers were suspended for over a year, after which their cases were closed.
WADA acknowledged a broader issue of contamination affecting athletes globally and cited previous instances where meat consumption led to positive drug tests due to substances like clenbuterol used in livestock. The agency is investigating contamination in countries including China, Mexico, and Guatemala.
WADA's chief, Olivier Niggli, criticized US media for focusing solely on China despite the global nature of meat contamination issues and condemned attempts to politicize anti doping.
Earlier reports by the New York Times revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a performance enhancing drug before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics but were cleared due to contamination findings. An independent investigation found no mishandling or bias by WADA in the case.
The controversy increased pressure on anti doping officials, resulting in Chinese swimmers being tested far more frequently upon arriving in Paris. Since January, each member of the Chinese team has been tested on average 21 times, compared to fewer tests for swimmers from Australia and the US. This has led to further allegations from Chinese state media and athletes, who claim the tests are part of a Western attempt to disrupt their performance.
Chinese swimmer Qin Haiyang and former diving champion Gao Min criticized the excessive testing for disrupting the team’s preparation, although some athletes, like Zhang Yufei, downplayed its impact.
China's current medal tally stands at one gold, two silver, and two bronze. Despite the controversy and increased scrutiny, Chinese swimmers remain determined to perform.
