Investigation into Chinese swimmers could prevent US from hosting future sporting events – ASOIF

The Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) believes that US law enforcement investigations into Chinese swimmers could prevent the United States from hosting sporting events in the future.

In April, the New York Times reported that trimetazidine had been found in samples taken from 23 Chinese swimmers ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. According to the publication, the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) conducted its own investigation, after which it announced that the substance had entered the athletes’ bodies unintentionally and in small amounts. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was unable to refute the Chinese version and did not sanction the athletes. In July, it became known that a federal investigation had been opened in the United States. World Aquatics CEO Brent Nowitzky was subpoenaed by the U.S. government.

“ASOIF is extremely concerned that the leadership of one of its member international federations has been ordered to testify in a federal investigation in the United States. The federal investigation and resulting subpoena against the World Aquatics executive could undermine the fundamental principles of WADA and its Code, which applies worldwide.

The U.S. anti-doping investigation abroad and the recent position of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) threaten to undermine the role and independence of WADA, and thus the credibility of the global anti-doping system and the autonomy of sport’s rules and regulations.

The United States is one of the world’s largest sports markets, with many major international sporting events scheduled in the coming years, including the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The U.S. extraterritorial investigation calls into question the personal safety of athletes, sports officials, and representatives of international organizations, as well as the confidence that they will be able to travel to the United States to compete in international sporting competitions. The investigation may force international federations to consider the risks associated with hosting future international events in the United States.

ASOIF calls on the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee to urgently clarify its position regarding WADA, the statement said.

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