The World Anti-Doping Agency said it analyzed a documentary and numerous newspaper reports that it stands by its decision to have cleared 23 Chinese swimmers who competed in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics despite testing positive for a heart medication that is prohibited.
WADA issued a statement following the broadcast of a documentary on the story by German channel ARD on Sunday.
In another press release sent earlier, after the publication of numerous articles on the subject, WADA mentioned that it had reached an agreement with the Chinese authorities and determined that the samples provided by the swimmers had been contaminated.
Daily life The New York Times reported that Chinese anti-doping authorities determined the test results were “adverse analytical findings” but cleared the swimmers without any sanctions after the samples came back positive due to contamination.
“Following WADA’s analysis of the documentary, the agency firmly stands by the results of its scientific investigation and legal decision regarding the matter,” WADA said in a statement Sunday.
WADA specified that the banned substance that was found in the samples was trimetazidine (TMZ), a medication used to prevent angina, but also for cases of dizziness or reduced visual acuity. She added that she had no evidence allowing her to dispute the conclusions of the Chinese anti-doping agency, believing that it was contamination of the athletes’ environment.
WADA mentioned that its position had also been adopted by World Aquatics, which oversees the discipline on the planet.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Monday that the media reports were “disinformation and distortion of facts”, and reaffirmed WADA’s decision.