Chinese Doping Case: Olympic swimmers react to the scandal ft Adam Peaty

Athletes across the world expressed their opinions on social media about the Chinese doping case that unfolded on April 20. The case shed light on 23 Chinese swimmers who had allegedly tested positive for a banned substance Trimetazidine (TMZ) seven months prior to the Tokyo Olympics 2020 which was held a year later in 2021.

It has been alleged that the 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for the banned substance were secretly cleared and later allowed to compete in the Olympics. Nearly half of the Chinese team that participated at the Tokyo Olympics has been named in the case, raising eyebrows from Olympians across the globe.

The New York Times reported that an American swimmer claimed they were ‘cheated’ in Tokyo after China had won the gold medal ahead of the USA, who secured the silver. TMZ helps athletes to increase their stamina and reduce recovery times, a clear advantage to Chinese swimmers if the allegations are true.

British swimming great Adam Peaty recently shared his views about the issue and didn't hold back from criticizing the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for releasing the information so late. The Olympic champion even questioned whether it was ‘systematic’. He wrote on X (formerly Twitter):

"1. Why not release this information at the time, who really benefits from the lack of transparency and secrecy? 2. What happened to strict liability? Whether someone benefits or not, surely at this scale it proves it’s systematic? So disappointing from WADA."

James Guy, another British Olympic swimmer, called for a ban on all the 23 swimmers involved in the Chinese doping case. He wrote on X:

"Wow. Ban them all and never compete again."

Lilly King, 3x Olympic medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Games, also expressed her disappointment about the issue on Instagram. She said:

"No words. Complete heartbreak for our clean athletes and frustration in the system that has failed them."

Lilly King Instagram story

Meanwhile, Greg Meehan, who was part of the U.S. women's coaching staff at the Tokyo Olympics, questioned the lack of transparency from WADA, alleging that there were already concerns about systematic doping during the pandemic. He wrote on X:

"Great work by @nytmike. A few thoughts: 1. Everyone had concerns of systematic doping during the pandemic (testing was very infrequent); 2. Complete lack of transparency by WADA / Chinada and inconsistent handling of positive tests is appalling;"

2016 Olympic champion Kathleen Baker also condemned the doping scandal on Instagram and wrote:

“So proud to be an American and be a part of all that @usantidoping represents. For all that athletes, including myself put on the line it breaks my heart to see the playing field not kept level and clean by those who are responsible for it."

Kathleen Baker Instagram story

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Canada and USA Swimming federations respond to the Chinese doping case

Team USA Media Summit

Swimming federations across the globe have expressed disappointment as the Chinese doping case unfolds.

USA Swimming released a statement on social media stating that the organization was committed to upholding clean sport at all levels of the competition. It added that USA Swimming was ‘extremely disappointed’ on hearing the allegations against the Chinese swimmers.

Canada Swimming also released a condemnatory statement on the Chinese doping case, reinstating its commitment to clean sport. A part of the statement read:

"Rules must be applied equitably through high performance, and exceptions must be communicated transparently"