“The case of trimetazidine in samples from Chinese swimmers cannot serve as a precedent in the Valieva case” – Lawyer

Lawyer Anna Antseliovich told that the doping situation among Chinese swimmers would not affect the Russian figure skater’s case. Kamila Valieva since there are no similar circumstances in which a prohibited substance entered the body so that this can serve as a precedent.

Earlier, the New York Times reported that the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) acknowledged that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine, 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.

— It is difficult to assess the situation without access to data. No specific details are given because the athletes were fully acquitted. Of course, such cases always raise doubts. We are talking about a large number of athletes. Maybe there really was some kind of provocation… From what I understood, they explained the presence of doping in the body as accidental ingestion,” Antseliovich told .

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

“We have also had cases where athletes have been completely acquitted. For example, following falling asleep. But such cases are very difficult to prove. Especially when we talk about the whole team, including the Olympic champions. Such cases are very rare, but they do happen.

Of course, this lack of public information raises questions. On the other hand, in this situation, as I understand it, there was a conversation with WADA and World Aquatics. After reviewing the documents, they decided to acquit the swimmers. That is, their arguments were convincing,” Antseliovich noted.

Trimetazidine was also found in a sample of Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva, who was ultimately disqualified for four years for anti-doping rule violations.

— If we compare it with the situation of Valieva, then each case is considered individually. And each case has its own explanations. As we know from the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the explanation provided by Valieva’s defense was not satisfactory. But in the case of the Chinese, it apparently worked. This cannot be used in any way. I don’t see how there could be similar circumstances here and that this could serve as a precedent,” the lawyer added.