Maria Cantwell - Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Maria Cantwell - Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have addressed a letter to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Witold Bańka concerning a report that Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs were allowed to compete at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The senators are demanding documents related to the doping case and seeking measures to ensure fair competition for Team USA at the upcoming Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
In their letter, Senators Cruz and Cantwell stated: “We write regarding concerning reports that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) permitted Chinese swimmers who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs to compete at the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in 2021. As we look to the Paris Summer 2024 Olympic Games, it is imperative that we ensure an even playing field for Team USA and all Olympic athletes.”
A New York Times investigation in April revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for Trimetazidine before the Tokyo Olympics. WADA did not publicize these results or challenge the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency’s (CHINADA) claim that the banned substances were ingested accidentally during a hotel stay. These swimmers went on to win several medals, including three golds, defeating American swimmer Katie Ledecky.
The senators further noted: “WADA’s decision to accept CHINADA’s findings stands in stark contrast to its decision to challenge an initial exoneration by the Russian Anti-Doping Agency of a figure skater who tested positive for Trimetazidine because of ‘food/environmental contamination’ less than six months later. The Russian figure skater was ultimately disqualified from the 2022 Olympic Winter Games and sanctioned with a four-year period of ineligibility. Meanwhile, many of the same Chinese swimmers who tested positive for Trimetazidine before the 2021 games are expected to compete in Paris this summer.”
Cruz and Cantwell have requested WADA provide all documents received from CHINADA related to this incident, along with its full case file and meeting minutes from all WADA executive committee meetings since 2019.
They concluded: “Athletes are rightly concerned about fair competition at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is imperative that WADA do everything in its power to ensure fair competition.”
Read the full letter HERE.
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