The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) urged this August 8 to carry out more controls on the athletes of the United Statesafter accusing that country of “systemic doping in athletics”, amid a verbal exchange between the two countries leading the Olympic medal table.
“There is reason to believe that there is a systemic doping problem in the world of athletics in the United States” and that an “independent investigation” is therefore necessary, CHINADA said on Thursday, August 8.
Authorities of China and the United States have exchanged hostile statements since a journalistic investigation revealed in April that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for a banned substance ahead of the 2021 Tokyo Games but were not sanctioned and were allowed to compete.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has accepted the Chinese authorities’ argument that the positive results were due to the consumption of contaminated food, and has not imposed any suspensions.
The revelations sparked strong criticism of WADA, especially from the United States, angering China.
CHINA cited the case of the American runner in a statement on Thursday Erriyon Knighton, who tested positive for an anabolic steroid On March 26th, but was able to compete in Paris after the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) cleared him, accepting that it was a case of food contamination.
Knighton qualified for the Olympic 200m final in Paris.
CHINA asked why USADA did not release more evidence of the substance, a steroid widely used in cattle, among US athletes.
– WADA vs USADA –
He asked the American athletes for tests because of the “Deeply rooted stains on (…) American athletics and USADA’s repeated disregard for procedures and standards.”
CHINADA did not present evidence that American athletes in Paris had tested positive in doping tests.
In a second statement issued Thursday, China stressed the need for an “independent investigation” into USADA’s actions.
On August 7, WADA also launched a frontal attack on USADA in a statement, saying it was “aware of at least three cases in which athletes have violated anti-doping rules and have been allowed to continue competing for years on condition that they work as undercover agents for USADA, without WADA having been consulted.”
“Their cases were never disclosed and the results were never invalidated. Their awards were not withdrawn and no suspension was served,” WADA continued.
“It is ironic and hypocritical for USADA to be outraged when it suspects other anti-doping organizations of breaking the rules when it itself has failed to address doping cases for years and has allowed cheaters to continue competing,” he continued.
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