In a shocking turn of events, 23 of China’s top swimmers tested positive for a banned drug in the first days of 2021, just months before the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics. The banned drug, trimetazidine, known as TMZ, was found in their systems after a domestic meet.
Chinese antidoping officials conducted an investigation and attributed the mass contamination to the presence of the heart medication in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers had stayed for a New Year’s event. Despite the positive tests, the swimmers were allowed to continue racing without any suspensions or disqualifications.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted China’s explanation and allowed the results to remain confidential. Some of the swimmers went on to qualify for the Olympics and even won medals, including three golds. Now, they are favorites to compete in the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The incident only came to light when details of the investigation were leaked. The Chinese-led investigation left key questions unanswered, raising concerns about the global antidoping system’s integrity. In contrast, global doping officials reacted differently when Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for the same drug.
While other athletes who tested positive for similar drugs received provisional suspensions, the Chinese swimmers were not penalized. Antidoping experts have criticized the Chinese report’s claims, and U.S. law enforcement has shown interest in the case.
The positive tests came at a crucial time for the swimmers as they were preparing for the Tokyo Olympics qualification meet. The potential doping scandal could have had significant implications for both the International Olympic Committee and China, especially as the country was gearing up to host the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
The story of the Chinese swimmers and the banned drug scandal highlights the complexities and challenges of maintaining fair play in sports and raises questions about the effectiveness of the global antidoping system.
