China is pushing back against ongoing doping allegations affecting its swimmers at the Paris Olympics.
The China Anti-Doping Agency requested more thorough testing of American track and field athletes on Thursday. They pointed out past doping issues and questioned the handling of these cases by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.
Chinese state media has echoed these concerns, criticizing what they see as unfair treatment of Chinese athletes. They noted that Chinese swimmers have undergone over 600 tests at the Paris Games with no violations.
Previously, the World Anti-Doping Agency and World Aquatics confirmed that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics. The results were kept private until media reports exposed them earlier this year. Both organizations accepted the Chinese explanation that the positives were due to contaminated food.
Following this, the U.S. started an investigation under a 2020 law allowing federal authorities to probe sports doping and cover-ups.
During a meeting in Paris this week, the head of China’s Olympic delegation urged the U.S. to end its “long-arm jurisdiction” and ensure fair participation for athletes from all countries in the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and the 2034 Winter Games in Salt Lake City, according to a Chinese sports newspaper.
China’s anti-doping agency and state media have focused on American sprinter Erriyon Knighton, who was running in the 200-meter finals. Knighton tested positive for a banned substance in March, but the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency ruled it was from contaminated meat, allowing him to compete.
