In this March 18, 2019, file photograph, then-Poland’s Sports Minister Witold Banka, now head of WADA, the gestures throughout an interview in Warsaw, Poland. WADA stated Saturday, April 19, 2024, it was turning to authorized counsel to deal with a press release launched by Travis Tygart, the CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, who stated WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept optimistic assessments “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.”
| Photo Credit: AP
The world’s high anti-doping regulator stated after reviewing a tv documentary and newspaper experiences that it stands by its decision to clear 23 Chinese swimmers to compete on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics regardless of testing optimistic for a banned coronary heart treatment.
The World Anti-Doping Agency issued a press release following the discharge on April 21 of a documentary on the instances by German broadcaster ARD.
In an earlier assertion following preliminary newspaper experiences, WADA stated it agreed with Chinese authorities and dominated that the swimmers’ samples had been contaminated.
The New York Times reported that Chinese anti-doping authorities discovered the outcomes of the assessments have been Adverse Analytical Findings, however cleared the swimmers with none penalties after discovering that the samples have been flagged as optimistic because of contamination.
“Following WADA’s review of the documentary, the agency still stands firmly by the results of its scientific investigation and legal decision concerning the case,” WADA stated in a press release on April 21.
“We are equally confident that WADA’s independent Intelligence and Investigations Department followed up on all allegations received, which were not corroborated by any evidence; and thus, did not meet WADA threshold to open an investigation.”
WADA stated primarily based on out there scientific proof and intelligence, “which was gathered, assessed and tested by experts in the pharmacology of trimetazidine (TMZ); and, by anti-doping experts,” it had no foundation beneath the worldwide anti-doping code to problem the Chinese company’s findings of environmental contamination.
WADA stated the place was additionally accepted by World Aquatics, which governs worldwide swimming.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on April 22 described the media experiences as “disinformation and a misrepresentation”, and affirmed WADA’s decision.
Mr. Wang stated China’s anti-doping authorities investigated the incident and located the optimistic outcomes have been due to “the ingestion of contaminated food by the relevant athletes without knowledge of the contaminated food, and the Chinese swimmers involved were not at fault or negligent, which did not constitute a doping violation.”
“I want to emphasize,” he stated, “that the Chinese government has maintained a firm stance of zero tolerance towards doping, strictly abides by the WADA Code, resolutely safeguards the physical and mental health of athletes, maintains fair play in sports competitions, and contributes positively to the global efforts in the crackdown on doping.”
WADA scheduled a information convention for later Monday, saying its president, Witold Banka, and director common Olivier Niggli could be among the many officers readily available to reply questions.
The 30-member Chinese swim group received six medals in Tokyo, together with three golds. Many of the athletes nonetheless compete for China and are anticipated to swim on the Paris Olympics that begin in July.
In its preliminary assertion, WADA responded to what it referred to as “some misleading and potentially defamatory media coverage this week” and defined the method it undertook upon studying in regards to the optimistic assessments.
The international drug-fighting group stated it additionally had been given a tip by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency as early as 2020 — earlier than this case arose — about allegations of doping cover-ups in China however that USADA by no means adopted up with proof.
USADA CEO Travis Tygart referred to as the information of the Chinese optimistic assessments “crushing.”
“It’s even more devastating to learn the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency secretly, until now, swept these positives under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world,” Mr. Tygart stated.
The drug on the centre of this case was additionally the treatment that led to the suspension of Russian determine skater Kamila Valieva on the Winter Olympics in Beijing in 2022.
In that case, WADA moved shortly to sanction Ms. Valieva upon studying about her optimistic check.
The case underscores what many view as a flaw within the international anti-doping system — {that a} nation’s anti-doping group is commonly the primary line of defence in catching drug cheats and people organizations have completely different ranges of motivation to fulfil that position.