The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has scheduled an extraordinary meeting to discuss the contentious case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine but were still allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympics. The meeting, set for Friday, will involve WADA’s foundation board members being briefed on the case by WADA experts.
The controversy erupted last month when it was revealed that the swimmers had not been suspended after testing positive for the performance-enhancing heart medication before the 2021 Games. The China Anti-Doping Agency (Chinada) had attributed the positive tests to contamination, a conclusion WADA stated it was “not in a position to disprove.”
The situation has attracted significant criticism. Travis Tygart, the chief executive of the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), accused WADA of a cover-up, an allegation that WADA has firmly rejected as “completely false and defamatory.” Additionally, Aquatics GB expressed “extreme concern” over the matter.
In response to the backlash, WADA has launched an independent review of the case, with findings expected to be released by summer 2024. The upcoming meeting will include WADA’s highest decision-making body, the 42-member foundation board, which includes representatives from the Olympic movement and various public bodies.
