Positive samples

Suspicion of mass doping among swimmers in China

The 30-strong Chinese team won six medals at the Tokyo Olympics in summer 2021, including three gold medals.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Odd ANDERSEN)

According to media reports, 23 top Chinese swimmers have remained unpunished despite positive doping tests. According to the reports, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) refrained from conducting its own investigation into the matter and trusted the account of the Chinese authorities, who claimed that contaminated meals in an athletes' hotel were the cause of the positive tests. 

According to research by the ARD doping editorial team and the New York Times, the swimmers are said to have tested positive at a national competition in China in early 2021. The banned cardiac drug trimetazidine was allegedly found at the competition in Shijiazhuang. At the Tokyo Olympics in summer 2021, the 30-strong Chinese team won six medals, including three gold medals.

(Bild: APA/AFP/Jonathan NACKSTRAND)

Traces of trimetazidine in the kitchen 
According to the report submitted by China, the positive samples were the result of contamination. Food had been cooked for all the athletes concerned in a hotel kitchen in Shijiazhuang. The report states that more than two months later, investigators inspected the kitchen and found traces of trimetazidine in the extractor fan, on spice containers and in the drain. According to the investigation, the doping agent had entered the athletes' bodies without their knowledge.

The Chinese Anti-Doping Agency stated that there had been "no anti-doping violations" and therefore no need for action.

When asked by ARD, WADA stated that it saw "no basis" to "contest the declarations of contamination" based on the analysis data. WADA had adhered to its rules and regulations. The World Swimming Federation stated that the events had been carefully and professionally investigated. There was therefore no need to take any further action.