World Aquatics has appointed a five-person anti-doping audit review committee in response to reports that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance and were allowed to compete in the Tokyo Games. The committee members are Miguel Cardenal, Ken Lalo, Annabelle Williams, Florent Manaudou, and Fernando Possenti, with the review and report expected to be completed promptly.
In a letter to member federations, World Aquatics expressed their commitment to improving the anti-doping review and decision-making process within the federation. The goal is to learn from the situation and enhance the organization’s ability to handle similar cases in the future, ensuring athletes’ confidence in the system remains strong.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) acknowledged that it could not refute the China Anti-Doping Agency’s claim that the swimmers unintentionally took a heart medication called trimetazidine (TMZ). Wada has initiated an independent investigation led by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier to scrutinize its handling of the case. The findings are anticipated within two months, aiming to address any concerns about the anti-doping movement and assure athletes heading into the Paris Olympic Games.
Meanwhile, US athlete representative organizations have called for an independent investigation, while International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has expressed his trust in Wada’s integrity.