China refutes swimmer doping reports as 'fake news' ahead of Paris Olympics

China's foreign ministry on Monday responded to reports alleging that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned substance before the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. The reports, initially surfaced in the New York Times and German broadcaster ARD, claimed that the swimmers had tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ), a substance prohibited in athletes due to its potential performance-enhancing effects.

These revelations created a stir in the sporting world, as the swimmers were allowed to compete in the Tokyo Olympics after China asserted that they had unknowingly ingested the banned substance from contaminated food during a competition held between late 2020 and early 2021. Despite the positive tests, the athletes' participation in the Olympics remained unimpeded, and several went on to secure medals, including gold.

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China's defense of its athletes was further supported by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which stated that there was a lack of credible evidence to challenge China's version of events. However, this stance drew criticism from the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which described news of the failed tests as "crushing" and denounced WADA's response as a "devastating stab in the back of clean athletes."

In response to the allegations, China's anti-doping center conducted an exhaustive investigation into the incident, concluding that the athletes were not at fault and had not committed any doping violations. Foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin dismissed the reports as "fake news" during a regular press conference in Beijing.

Moreover, Denis Cotterell, an Australian coach working with the Chinese Swimming Association, rejected claims of systemic doping and expressed his unwavering support for the swimmers. Cotterell emphasized that he had witnessed firsthand the rigorous measures undertaken by Chinese athletes and dismissed any suggestion of orchestrated doping activities.

The doping allegations reignited discussions about doping in Chinese swimming, which has had a troubled history with doping scandals in the past. Despite these controversies, China reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards doping and affirmed its dedication to ensuring fair competition in sports.