WADA to review Chinese doping case after global backlash

The under-fire World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said on Thursday it would launch an independent review over its handling of a case that allowed 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned substance to avoid punishment.

The investigation will be led by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier, who WADA said would have access to all files related to the case and be free to consult independent experts.

Cottier is expected to deliver his findings within two months.

WADA’s move follows a backlash from athletes and national anti-doping authorities who have questioned its processes and complained about a lack of transparency in the case.

“WADA’s integrity and reputation is under attack,” WADA President Witold Banka said in a statement.

“WADA has been unfairly accused of bias in favour of China by not appealing the CHINADA case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” he added, referring to China’s anti-doping agency and sport’s highest court respectively.

“We continue to reject the false accusations and we are pleased to be able to put these questions into the hands of an experienced, respected and independent prosecutor.”

WADA said it would also send a compliance audit team to China to assess the nation’s anti-doping programme and invite independent anti-doping auditors to join the mission.

Calls for an independent investigation have grown since the New York Times reported 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) months before the COVID-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

The swimmers were cleared by a Chinese investigation which said they were inadvertently exposed to the drug through contamination. The report determined the swimmers were staying at a hotel where traces of TMZ were discovered in the kitchen.

TMZ is a medication that increases blood flow to the heart and is used to treat angina. It has been banned by WADA since 2014. Russian skater Kamila Valieva tested positive for the drug before the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

WADA accepted China’s findings and the case was not made public.