In this specific case, USADA requested an independent investigation. A statement from the authority said that none of the questions were “satisfactorily answered” at a WADA press conference. The authority needs to be restructured to ensure that a cover-up of positive samples on the eve of the Olympic Games can never happen again. USADA criticized the fact that the same rules did not appear to apply to all countries.
WADA recently confirmed positive findings for the Chinese athletes, but rejected criticism of their actions. “No credible evidence of wrongdoing” was presented during the investigation, said WADA President Banka. He reiterated that he believes in the theory of “environmental contamination” by “innocent athletes” rather than deliberate and covert doping.
Faeser: Reports shake trust in WADA
Federal Interior Minister Faeser told ARD that the reports shook trust in the World Anti-Doping Agency and the global fight against fraud in top-class sport. The “suspicion of turning a blind eye or even covering things up” must be investigated “quickly and comprehensively”.
The global athletes’ association Global Athlete said the World Anti-Doping Agency’s behavior raised questions rather than answered them. There are some ambiguities in the matter.
The background is research by ARD and the “New York Times”. Accordingly, 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive in doping tests in 2021. WADA nevertheless stopped the investigation. The reason given was that there was no evidence of culpable behavior on the part of the swimmers. Three of the Chinese swimmers won Olympic gold in Japan in 2021. A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry described the reports about doped swimmers as “fake news”.