PARIS: World Aquatics said on Monday it will increase the anti-doping tests carried out on Chinese swimmers competing at the upcoming Paris Olympic Games.

In April, the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD reported 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for trimetazidine at a domestic competition in 2021, shortly before the Tokyo Olympics.

Chinese anti-doping authorities determined they had ingested the substance unwittingly from tainted food at their hotel and no action against them was warranted.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accepted the argument of the Chinese authorities and did not sanction the swimmers, 11 of whom have been sele­cted for the Paris Olympics.

The tests at the Games will be carried out by the International Test Agency (ITA).

“A certain number of athletes from specific nations will be tested four times by the ITA (in addition to their own NADO testing) between Jan 1, 2024 and the opening of the Olympic Games Paris 2024,” a report from the Anti-Doping Audit Review Committee of World Aquatics said. “A certain number of other athletes, including Chinese athletes taking part in the Olympics, will be tested by the ITA no less than 8 times during this same period.

“The ITA will use its best efforts to have all such tests of Chinese athletes conducted by a Sample Collection Authority other than CHINADA, and to have the samples analysed by laboratories outside of China,” it added.

World Aquatics’ review committee backed the global governing body’s treatment of the incident.

“The Committee has not identified any irregularities, mismanagement or cover-up by FINA [now known as World Aquatics] in its review of the TMZ Case or in its decision not to appeal the CHINADA decisions in that case,” it said.

“The process and procedure followed by FINA in 2021 was in accordance with both the operating procedures of FINA at that time, generally accepted operating procedures of other International Federa­tions, and its obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code.” WADA welcomed the changes, with the first aquatics events at the Paris Games taking place on July 27.

“Following on from the positive findings of an Independent Prosecutor’s review into WADA’s handling of these cases, this is a further report that details how the correct procedures were followed under the terms of the World Anti-Doping Code,” a WADA spokesperson said. “WADA is pleased that another review has found no evidence of wrongdoing by the international anti-doping authorities as it relates to these cases.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2024

Opinion

Editorial

Digital gaps
Updated 17 Jul, 2025

Digital gaps

Digital technology affords Pakistan a unique opportunity to transform itself into a dynamic digital economy.
A grave matter
17 Jul, 2025

A grave matter

IT is a weighty issue, and one which many would not touch with a barge pole, primarily out of concern for...
Vaccine paradox
17 Jul, 2025

Vaccine paradox

PAKISTAN has recorded its highest-ever coverage of the DTP vaccine — protecting children against diphtheria,...
The next deluge
Updated 16 Jul, 2025

The next deluge

Pakistan, and others vulnerable to climatic extremes, must heed the warning before the next deluge arrives — because it surely will.
FC revamp
16 Jul, 2025

FC revamp

WHAT’S in a name? The civilian paramilitary force hitherto known as the Frontier Constabulary will continue to...
Simplified tax forms
16 Jul, 2025

Simplified tax forms

THE rollout of a new interactive tax return form should ease filing by simplifying the procedure, addressing a...