Official announcements from the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

U.S. Launches Criminal Probe into 23 Chinese Swimmers' Doping Practices at Tokyo Olympics

Jul 4, 2024, 06:20 PM

The World Aquatics Federation has confirmed that the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into the doping practices of Chinese swimmers. The investigation focuses on how antidoping authorities and sports officials allowed 23 Chinese swimmers, who tested positive for banned substances in 2021, to escape punishment and compete in the Tokyo Olympics, where three of them won gold medals. The federation's executive director has been ordered to testify as a witness in the investigation. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has expressed disappointment over the U.S. legal system's involvement, while many swimmers, doping experts, and national swim federations have criticized WADA's handling of the case. The investigation highlights concerns of systematic cheating, similar to the Russian doping scandal, ahead of the Olympics opening on July 26.