The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) on Tuesday expressed concern over perceived inconsistencies in the handling of doping cases, following a media report on American Olympic athlete Erriyon Knighton's suspected positive doping result.
In the CHINADA’s Statement on the U.S. Olympian Erriyon Knighton's Positive Test for Steroid, the agency noted that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) attributed Knighton's positive result to contaminated meat consumption and allowed him to eventually represent the U.S. at the Paris Olympics.
However, when it comes to the contamination cases of the Chinese swimmers, USADA has shown a typical double standard by trying its best to clear American athletes on the one hand, but on the other hand accusing CHINADA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of "covering up the truth" and demanding sanctions against Chinese athletes while ignoring the repeated clarifications by WADA and the report by the Independent Prosecutor.
Since January, anti-doping organizations have tested each Chinese swimmer an average of 21 times, which is much higher compared to the average of six times for their American counterparts and four times for those from Australia.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Mark Adams, said earlier at a press conference that the Chinese swimming team has been "the most tested team" at the Paris Olympics -- adding that since this January, the team has undergone more than 600 tests. At the same time, Pau Gasol, an IOC member, believes that "there was absolutely nothing found in tests", and he is not sure whether the testing measures for Chinese swimmers are right or not.
China's Olympic debutant Pan Zhanle, who crowned 100-meter freestyle champion with a new world record also said he received 29 tests last year and never had a positive. Since this May till Aug 1, he received 21 tests and never had a positive.
Global netizens rallied to support the Olympic swimming champion Pan Zhanle. An American netizen showed his support for Pan, saying "I'm sorry about the tensions, and I just want you to know we all don't think like that."
US anti-doping agency displays double standard: CHINADA
US anti-doping agency displays double standard: CHINADA
