China Calls Swimmer Doping Reports 'fake News'
Mohammad Ali (@ChaudhryMAli88) Published April 22, 2024 | 03:20 PM
Beijing, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Apr, 2024) Beijing on Monday called reports about 23 Chinese swimmers testing positive for a banned substance ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 "fake news".
The sport was rocked at the weekend by revelations that the swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) -- a prescription heart drug that is banned in athletes because it can enhance performance -- before the Games three years ago.
The swimmers were allowed to compete in Tokyo after world governing bodies accepted China's findings that they had ingested it unwittingly from food during a competition in late 2020 and early 2021.
Several went on to win medals, including gold, and many are in line to compete at the Paris Olympics this summer.
China's foreign ministry on Monday hit back at the widespread reports, which first emerged in the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD on Saturday and cited a review of confidential documents and emails.
"The relevant reports are fake news and not factual," said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.
World anti-doping agency WADA has said there was "a lack of any credible evidence" to challenge China's version of events.
"I believe you will also have noted that the World Anti-Doping Agency has put out a very clear response," Wang said.
However, the United States Anti-Doping Agency called news of the failed tests "crushing" and blasted WADA's response as "a devastating stab in the back of clean athletes".
- 'Detailed' probe -
Wang said China's anti-doping centre conducted an "in-depth and detailed" probe into the incident, which found the athletes had ingested contaminated drugs "without their knowledge".
"The Chinese swimmers involved were neither at fault nor guilty of negligence, and their behaviour did not constitute a doping violation," he told a regular press conference in Beijing.
"After an investigation, WADA affirmed the findings of the China anti-doping centre."
An Australian coach who works with the Chinese Swimming Association also rejected claims of systemic state-run doping, saying it is "so far from anything I have seen".
Denis Cotterell, who has coached drug-tainted Chinese swimmer Sun Yang, told The Sydney Morning Herald he disputed "any suggestion of anything orchestrated".
The 74-year-old has had an on-off association with Chinese swimming for more than a decade and said he was speaking from first-hand experience.
"I see what they (the swimmers) go through, I see the measures, I can tell you the stories. I know the facts and I am comfortable," he told the paper.
"The suggestion that it's systemic is so far from anything I have seen here the whole time."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan marks World Press Freedom Day
High-level Saudi business delegation due on May 5
Stocks heat up as US labour market cools
President approves Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
Implementation of merit, justice to oppressed segments top priorities: CPO
Overseas Kashmir community delegation calls on AJK President, discusses latest s ..
Govt believes in freedom of press: Amir Muqam
Labour urges UK election after Tory losses
Health authorities asked for action against alleged illegal tenders at Services ..
Spain scraps national bullfighting prize sparking debate
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan visits Rawalpindi ..
ATC extends interim bail of PTI founder in 3 cases
More Stories From World
-
Football: German Bundesliga results
4 hours ago -
Auger-Aliassime in final as 'crazy' Madrid injury curse strikes again
5 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A result
5 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A table
5 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
5 hours ago -
Bill May or may not make Olympic history in the pool
5 hours ago
-
USA include former Kiwi all-rounder in T20 World Cup squad
5 hours ago -
Canada arrests three over killing of Sikh activist: media
5 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 results
5 hours ago -
'Get this done', WHO chief urges pandemic accord talks
5 hours ago -
Lakers fire head coach Ham after NBA playoff ouster
5 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - collated
6 hours ago