The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has confirmed that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned drug before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The banned substance, trimetazidine (TMZ), was found in heart medication and led to the positive tests months before the Games began in July 2021.
Despite the positive tests, WADA accepted China’s explanation that the swimmers were inadvertently exposed to the drug through contamination. The global anti-doping body reviewed the case and consulted scientific experts and legal counsel before concluding that contamination was a plausible explanation.
As a result, the athletes were found to have no fault or negligence, and WADA decided not to appeal the ruling. China’s swimming team, which won six medals at the Tokyo Games, including three golds, will not face any bans due to the contamination issue.
The news of the positive tests could lead to increased scrutiny of China’s athletes ahead of the upcoming Paris Olympics. China, a powerhouse in swimming, is expected to contend for medals against countries like the United States and Australia.
This is not the first time Chinese swimmers have been involved in doping scandals. In the past, several athletes have tested positive for banned substances, leading to suspensions and bans. The case of Olympic gold medalist Sun Yang, who tested positive for TMZ in 2014, is one of the most high-profile doping cases in Chinese swimming history.
Overall, the handling of the positive tests by WADA and other anti-doping bodies will be closely monitored as the sporting world prepares for the next Olympic Games.