Official announcements from relevant anti-doping authorities (e.g., WADA, IOC)

Olympic Swimmers Accuse Authorities as 23 Chinese Athletes, Including Zhang Yufei, Cleared of Doping

Jul 27, 2024, 11:07 AM

Olympic swimmers are accusing authorities of failing to protect them against alleged drug cheats, with senior figures embroiled in a row with the Americans after the Chinese cleared 23 athletes who tested positive for banned medication. The controversy centers around 23 Chinese swimmers, including Zhang Yufei, who tested positive for trimetazidine in 2021 but were cleared to compete. Qin Haiyang, another Chinese swimmer, claimed there is a 'European and American' plot against China's swimming team. Zhang Yufei, in her first public comments, denied any wrongdoing and expressed concern over how her rivals perceive her. She stated that China does not allow doping and mentioned undergoing between 20 and 30 drug tests monthly leading up to the Paris Olympics. Two of the swimmers involved in the 2021 doping scandal have qualified for the semifinals in the men's 100 breaststroke at the Paris Olympics. Adam Peaty's rival for the 100m breaststroke gold is among those accused.