China ‘will never’ release details on Olympic swimmers who tested positive for banned TMZ
- Chinada remarks come as various United States representatives criticised Wada’s handling of 2021 case
China’s anti-doping agency said it will “never” agree to a United States demand to release details of its investigation into 23 swimmers who tested positive for banned substances ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.
“Such request, without any legal basis, is in violation of the World Anti-Doping Code and the legitimate rights and interest of the athletes,” the China Anti-Doping Agency (Chinada) said in a statement.
“We will never accept the request for the publication of the case file made by USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) and certain members of the US Congress.”
Chinada’s remarks came after USADA chief executive Travis Tygart and US swimmers Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt appeared before a Congressional oversight and investigations subcommittee hearing in Washington on Tuesday.
They took aim at the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) over its handling of recent revelations concerning 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned prescription heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) in early 2021 before the pandemic-delayed Games.
None of the swimmers were suspended or sanctioned after Wada accepted the explanation of Chinese authorities that the results were caused by food contamination at a hotel where they had stayed together.
