In response to reports that 23 Chinese swimmers were allowed to compete in the Tokyo Games despite testing positive for a banned substance, World Aquatics has established a five-person anti-doping audit review committee. The committee, consisting of Miguel Cardenal, Ken Lalo, Annabelle Williams, Florent Manaudou, and Fernando Possenti, has been tasked with reviewing and reporting on the federation’s anti-doping processes and decision-making procedures.
In a letter to member federations, World Aquatics expressed their commitment to improving the anti-doping review and decision-making process within the federation. The goal is to learn from the situation and enhance the organization’s ability to handle similar cases in the future. Wada has acknowledged that it could not refute China Anti-Doping Agency’s claim that the swimmers unintentionally took a heart medication called trimetazidine (TMZ).
Meanwhile, US athlete representative organizations have called for an independent investigation into Wada’s handling of the case. International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has expressed his trust in Wada’s integrity. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has initiated an independent investigation led by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier to scrutinize its handling of the case. The findings are anticipated within two months aiming to address any concerns about the anti-doping movement and assure athletes heading into Paris Olympic Games.
