"What's the difference with the Chinese swimmers story?"- Fans react as Erriyon Knighton cleared to compete as USADA keeps suspension under wraps

Erriyon Knighton was provisionally suspended on April 12, 2024, for testing positive for a metabolite of trenbolone during a drug test by the US Anti-Doping Agency. His suspension led him to skip major events of the outdoor season.

The US Anti-Doping Agency announced that an independent arbitrator had rendered a decision in the case and ruled that Erriyon Knighton will not face ineligibilty and his provisional suspension will be lifted with immediate effect. The reason for the ruling was stated in the official press release by USADA as "it was more likely than not caused by consuming meat contaminated with trenbolone."

According to the official press release, " Knighton tested positive despite any fault or negligence, so he will not face a period of ineligibility." Fans took to X to express their opinion on the ruling by the independent arbitrator and a press release by the US Antidoping Agency. There were concerns about Knighton not participating in the outdoor track meets this season, however, there were no updates from the athlete regarding the same.

Fans compared it to the recent controversy of Chinese swimmers who tested positive for banned substances but were secretly cleared by the agencies without making the development public.

"What's the difference with the Chinese swimmers story?," wrote a fan.

"Chile I wonder how many doping violations ya'll catch and brush under the rug," wrote another fan.

"Some might say USADA just a tad hypocritical after all the noise they have made about the Chinese Swimmers," another fan tweeted.

Here are some more fan reactions:

"That explains why Erriyon Knighton has been pretty quiet this season 👀", wrote Owen.

" A just and correct decision for our client Erriyon Knighton, looking forward to watching him at Trials," tweeted a fan.

" The same USADA that called out WADA for covering up Chinese swimming positive tests? Wow. Hard to think of a US doping case that doesn’t involved contaminated meat. Stop eating meat in the US, it’s too risky," another fan chimed in.

Erriyon Knighton opens up on competing at the Paris Olympics

Day 7 - World Athletics Championships Budapest 2023

Erriyon Knighton spoke to Olympics.com and opened up about competing at the Paris Olympics. The U20 200m World Record holder expressed his excitement about racing the Europe.

“Obviously I’ve never been to Paris and it’s going to be one of my first times racing in Europe but I want to see what those fans are like because track & field overseas is serious. That’s one of their main sports, so it’s way more serious than it is in the US,” he said.

Erriyon Knighton will be competing alongside Noah Lyles, Christian Coleman, and Fred Kerley among others in a quest for a spot in the U.S. Olympic team.