Amid ongoing doping allegations against its swimmers at the Paris Olympics, China is retaliating with calls for more testing of U.S. track and field competitors by the China Anti-Doping Agency. The agency cited past doping scandals and questioned the handling of them by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
Chinese state media have raised concerns about double standards faced by Chinese athletes, emphasizing that over 600 tests on Chinese swimmers in Paris showed no violations. However, the World Anti-Doping Agency and World Aquatics confirmed that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for banned substances before the Tokyo Olympics.
Following this revelation, the U.S. initiated an investigation under a 2020 law enabling federal authorities to address sports doping and cover-ups. China’s Olympic delegation expressed hopes for fair participation for all athletes in future Games during a meeting with the U.S. delegation in Paris.
Focusing on American sprinter Erriyon Knighton, who tested positive for a banned substance in March, the Chinese agency accused the U.S. of applying double standards. Calls for more testing of U.S. track and field competitors followed.
While China won 12 swimming medals in Paris, including a gold in the men’s 4×100 medley relay, some international athletes criticized the handling of the doping controversy. Michael Phelps advocated for stricter penalties, proposing a lifetime ban for offenders, while British swimmer Adam Peaty condemned the system allowing athletes with positive tests to compete.