why? 23 Chinese athletes tested positive, but won medals at the Tokyo Olympics with no announcement or punishment… Criticism of WADA[Hoso Station](April 24, 2024)

With just three months left until the Paris Olympics, athletes are feeling uneasy. It has been revealed that 23 Chinese competitive swimmers tested positive for doping before the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Although the athletes performed well, winning medals at the Olympics, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which allowed them to participate, has been criticized for being unfair. ■Chinese side: “Hotel kitchen contaminated” New York Times (20th) “China’s top swimmer tests positive for banned substance but wins gold medal at Olympics” According to the New York Times, which reported the details, the incident started. dates back to seven months before the Tokyo Games. From the end of 2020 to the beginning of the new year, Chinese athletes participated in domestic tournaments. More than two months later, China informed WADA that more than 20 athletes participating in the tournament had tested positive for banned substances. The reason for this was that the players claimed that drugs had gotten into the kitchen of the hotel where they were staying. The drug detected was trimetazidine. It has the effect of improving blood flow to the heart and is famous as a drug for angina pectoris. It is said to improve cardiopulmonary function when used for doping. However, China’s Anti-Doping Agency, CHINADA, has reportedly explained to WADA that the athletes did not ingest it intentionally, but that the hotel kitchen was contaminated. The New York Times (dated 20th): “CHINADA’s final report says it found traces of trimetazidine in the hotel kitchen’s drains, condiment containers, and countertop vents. However, there are no questions about where the drug came from.” It was not determined whether it was in the kitchen or why it was in the kitchen.” In addition, there are question marks over China’s response, including the fact that it did not report the incident to WADA for two months. However, WADA accepted the claim. WADA Chairman Banka: “We have carefully examined China’s explanation from all angles. We have examined all evidence and have also gathered additional information.At this time, there is no evidence of wrongdoing, and we believe that their “contamination theory” “We did not see any way to disprove this.” WADA declared this case white. The amount of trimetazidine detected was very small. The reason for this was that players who had been tested multiple times fluctuated between negative and positive results. WADA medical officer Rabin said: “The important thing is that while it is true that China provided information, WADA also conducted its own analysis of the urine of athletes who tested positive.This independent information and verification “There was no reason to question the contamination theory.” ■Not made public…WADA received an explanation from the four medalists in the form of a final report one month before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics. WADA ignored all Chinese athletes and allowed them to participate in the tournament, without making this public. Tokyo tournament next month. Among the athletes whose prohibited substances were detected, four were named medalists. The truth is, we don’t know if it was taken intentionally or if it’s just what China claims. At least, nothing was detected in the tests conducted during the Tokyo Games. However, there is a noticeable trend overseas that there was at least a problem with WADA’s response. British Guardian (dated 23rd) “Suspicions of doping in the Chinese swimming industry. Questions about fairness” New York Times (dated 20th) “China reports that only a trace amount of trimetazidine was detected, but what amount? WADA has traditionally issued strict penalties to athletes who violate the test, regardless of whether the amount of drugs involved is small or during the Olympic Games. I took it. The figure skater Valieva is fresh in my memory. Immediately after she won the gold medal, her doping was discovered and her medal was stripped. She was given a severe punishment, being suspended from participating in competitions for four years. The same trimetazidine was detected in Valieva. Although a simple comparison cannot be made, it is true that there are differences in WADA’s response. Moreover, in this case, due to the coronavirus pandemic, no on-site investigation was conducted. ■ Criticism of WADA: “Doubts on fairness” Athletes’ criticism is directed at WADA. X by Adam Peaty, British swimmer at the Tokyo Olympics (three medals) “Who really benefits from the lack of transparency and secrecy?At this scale, it’s definitely systemic.” I’m disappointed in WADA.” Greg Meehan, U.S. women’s team coach at the Tokyo Olympics. I don’t think it’s a coincidence. Athletes deserve fairer treatment.” Tygart, Chairman of the US Anti-Doping Agency: “This is a tragedy for ‘clean athletes’ around the world. The athlete should have been disqualified or provisionally suspended.It is also a tragedy that an international regulatory body approved such a statement.”Chinese government denies the report, calling it false. The Times reports that this is an attempt to smear the face of Chinese swimming ahead of the Paris Olympics. It seems that they are trying to push through with the claim that it is malicious reporting by Western media. Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Press Director Wang Wenbin: “WADA has given a clear response that the report is false information and has no basis in fact.This report is false information and a report that is contrary to the facts.”In the future, it may develop into an off-field war by the state. I don’t know. The Biden administration plans to raise this issue on the agenda at an international meeting of sports ministers. ■Why “unusual”? WADA’s Judgment WADA’s response to this incident may be described as “quite unusual” compared to past cases. Former Japan representative swimmer Junya Koga was suspended for four years after a prohibited substance was detected in a doping test he underwent in March 2018. The reason for his doping violation was that the supplement he took was contaminated with a prohibited substance whose ingredients were not listed, resulting in a positive test result. In other words, it was not an intentional intake. In Koga’s case, his claim that it was “unintentional” was accepted, and his suspension period was shortened to two years. He then returned as a player, but was out for two years. We spoke to attorney Masahiro Takamatsu, who was involved in Koga’s arbitration. Attorney Masahiro Takamatsu: “According to WADA rules, in principle, if a positive reaction occurs, the athlete will be punished.In the case of trimetazidine, the burden of proving that it was unintentional lies with the athlete.This is a special case that differs from the general rule. If so, further explanation is needed.The Paris Olympics are coming up.The athletes are working hard to follow the rules.WADA should also provide clear standards.
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