Swimming star doesn't believe in fair competition at Olympics
23 Chinese Swimmers and Swimmers Caught Using Performance-Enhancing Drugs, No Consequences. Many of Them Are Set to Compete at the Paris Olympics. Skepticism Abounds as Competition Remains Unclear on Remaining Clarifications.
The criticism of swimmers regarding the handling of potential doping cases in China continues unabated, but the world governing body remains unaware of any errors. In response to a question about whether he had faith that fair competition would take place at the Paris Olympics, US star Caeleb Dressel stated at a World Aquatics press conference: "No, not really." The seven-time Olympic gold medalist went on to explain: "They haven't given us enough evidence to confirm how this case was handled."
Germany's swimming star Florian Wellbrock refused to comment two days before the start of pool competitions. "I'm here to race, have a good time, focus on myself, and give my best," said the open water Olympic gold medalist.
DSV Performance Sports Director Christian Hansmann stated: "We have to rely on the fact that the anti-doping fight is conducted globally with the same standards. And there should be no 'China exception' or failure to ask for independent clarification. That must be addressed."
Swimmers Call for More Transparency
World Aquatics President Husain Al-Musallam claimed: "We have done what we could. We have determined that all rules were followed." Twenty-three Chinese swimmers were found positive for the heart medication Trimetazidine in 2021. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) followed a report from China during the Corona pandemic, according to which the contamination with the banned substance had occurred in a hotel kitchen. WADA abandoned its own investigations in China, which has caused confusion for many athletes and officials.
13 of the 23 positively tested swimmers competed in the summer of 2021 in Tokyo, several won Olympic medals. Eleven of the 23 are expected to compete in Paris.
Al-Musallam stated that all those involved in the case had come to the same conclusion: "We have faith in the work that was done." The Kuwaiti also declared: "We ensure that all athletes participating here are clean." The criticism from Dressel and American record world champion Katie Ledecky, who had demanded more transparency, was countered with the claim: "We have the trust of the athletes, in some areas some doubts or different opinions exist. But we are the largest sport at the Olympics, we cannot all agree in everything."
"WADA is either incompetent or unwilling"
According to executive director Brent Nowicki, there have been "no confirmed positive tests in the almost 4700 controls conducted so far." Nowicki currently considers the Chinese case to be closed: "If we had solid evidence, we would resume the process. But we haven't received anything like that."
To the harsh critics of the doping hunters also counts swimming legend Michael Phelps. "As athletes, we can no longer blindly trust the World Anti-Doping Agency - an organization that repeatedly shows that it is either incompetent or unwilling to enforce its rules worldwide," said the 23-time Olympic gold medalist recently before a US committee.
The affair goes far beyond swimming now. The US Department of Justice launching an investigation into the matter deeply troubles WADA and the International Olympic Committee. The IOC is putting pressure on Salt Lake City as the host of the Winter Games 2034. The Committee insisted on an additional contract clause to protect WADA before Utah was chosen as the Olympic host. WADA and the USADA have been openly disputing this for some time.
- Amidst this controversy, some athletes and swimming federations have called for WADA and USADA to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter to ensure fairness and transparency at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris.
- Given the recent events and the lack of decisive action against Chinese swimmers accused of doping, many claim that allowing them to compete in Paris could tarnish the reputation of the Olympic Games and compromise the integrity of swimming as a sport, as highlighted by swimming legend Michael Phelps.
