Top Chinese Swimmers Tested Positive for Banned Drug, Then Won Olympic Gold

Twenty-three top Chinese swimmers tested positive for the same powerful banned substance seven months before the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021 but were allowed to escape public scrutiny and continue to compete after top Chinese officials secretly cleared them of doping and the global authority charged with policing drugs in sports chose not to intervene.

Several of the athletes who tested positive went on to win medals at the Tokyo Games, including three golds. Many still compete for China and are expected to contend for medals again at this year’s Summer Games in Paris.

China acknowledged the positive tests, claiming the swimmers had ingested the banned substance unknowingly in tiny amounts and that no action against them was warranted.

However, American officials and other experts believe that the swimmers should have been suspended or publicly identified pending further investigation. They criticized Chinese sports officials, swimming’s international governing body, World Aquatics, and the World Anti-Doping Agency for not taking action.

Despite evidence indicating a violation may have occurred, the authorities chose not to act. Even after receiving intelligence suggesting a cover-up and doping by Chinese swimmers, the World Anti-Doping Agency opted not to hold the athletes accountable, citing a lack of credible evidence to challenge China’s version of events.

The FBI learned about the positive tests, the Chinese rationale for clearing the athletes, and WADA’s inaction. Federal investigators have initiated steps to learn more about the incident.

In response to questions, the United States Anti-Doping Agency accused WADA of failing in its mission.