WADA chief explained why the Chinese swimmers’ case was not transferred to CAS

Head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Witold Banka explained why WADA did not appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case of Chinese swimmers who tested positive for doping tests.

On Saturday, the New York Times published an article claiming that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for doping. The authors accuse WADA of ignoring whistleblower data, as well as inconsistency in handling various doping cases. The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) acknowledged the athletes’ positive samples, but said trimetazidine entered their bodies unintentionally and in small quantities. The organization conducted its own investigation and discovered that the substance had been found on kitchen utensils at the hotel where the swimmers lived.

— WADA did not consider it necessary to contact CAS, we have done it before, but we are not obliged to do it all the time. Considering all aspects, the decision was made not to apply for CAS. The reason in this case is that we have no evidence to challenge the position of the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency and World Aquatics. If we had appealed, we would have lost,” Banka told a news conference.

Chinese swimmers at the 2020 Olympics won 6 medals (3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze) and also broke several world records.

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