More than 20 Chinese swimmers passed positive doping tests ahead of Tokyo Olympics: media

23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine on the eve of the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, the New York Times reports, citing its own sources.

The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) reportedly acknowledged the athletes’ positive samples, but said the substance entered their bodies unintentionally and in small quantities. The organization’s investigation showed that at the hotel where the Chinese swimmers were staying, traces of this substance were found in the kitchen. Chinese police also participated in the investigation. It was not possible to know exactly how this substance ended up in the hotel kitchen.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) decided not to prosecute the athletes, even though, according to the New York Times, it received reports of positive doping tests among Chinese swimmers. WADA said there was no significant evidence to challenge the Chinese agency’s version.

– It’s a knife in the back of pure athletes. “This is a betrayal of all athletes who competed fairly and followed all the rules,” said Travis Tygart, executive director of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

In total, Chinese swimmers won three gold, two silver and one bronze medals at the 2020 Olympics.

Among the athletes who reportedly tested positive was Zhang Yufei, winner of four medals at the Tokyo Olympics. She won two gold and two silver medals, set a world record in the 200m butterfly and participated in a swimming record in the 4x200m freestyle relay. Also among the suspects are Wang Shun (gold in the 200-meter individual medley in Tokyo) and Qin Haiyang, who set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke in 2023.

Trimetazidine was also found in a sample from a Russian figure skater. Kamila Valieva .

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) suspended Valieva for four years for violating anti-doping rules. The Russian’s suspension period begins on December 25, 2021 and her results have been canceled since that date.

The CAS decision led to a review of the results of the team figure skating tournament at the 2022 Olympics, where the Russian team won. First place is now awarded to the American team, the Japanese are second and the Russians will receive bronze. Valieva is also deprived of gold at the 2022 European Championship.