The Rodchenkov Anti-Doping Act, adopted by the United States in 2020, represents a "pathetic" attempt to use the country's political influence in matters beyond its jurisdiction, said Alex Pussieldi, a swimming analyst, voicing unease over increased scrutiny of Chinese athletes during anti-doping tests at the Paris Olympic Games.
Anti-doping organizations tested each Chinese swimmer an average of 21 times since January 1. The number was significantly higher compared to the average of six times for American and four times for Australian swimmers, World Aquatics revealed on July 23.
Earlier this summer, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) revealed that it had previously investigated doping cases related to food contamination. Although media attention has hounded on Chinese athletes, some of the cases also involved US athletes, including sprinter Erriyon Knighton.
Knighton, a U.S. Olympic track and field team member, tested positive for the banned steroid trenbolone during an out-of-competition test on March 26. The United States Anti-Doping Agency decided not to impose any ineligibility on Knighton, claiming the positive result was due to contaminated meat. Knighton was allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics qualifiers.
According to Pussieldi, there lingers a strong possibility that more suspected doping cases that have not been made public.
"We probably have way more other cases that we would not ever hear because the national anti-dope agencies, by law, they are not mandated to release their cases and their names. The international media forgets completely the other cases and focuses only on Chinese. It's unfair," said Pussieldi.
Pussieldi further criticized the U.S. government for meddling in international sports through the Rodchenkov Act, which asserts criminal jurisdiction over doping cases in international sports events outside the United States, but excludes its own domestic professional leagues, college leagues and other U.S. events.
"This Rodchenkov Act is pathetic. This law is ridiculous. First of all, because it crossed the line using a political influence for something else they have no jurisdiction. So how you can punish someone if you did not investigate, you did not analyze, you do not have a control of that, that does not make sense at all. And the IOC already replied to this because recently the city of Salt Lake got rewarded for to be received Olympic Winter Games and the IOC was very strong on that and said 'listen, you have to clean this because we cannot give you the right to host an Olympic Games if you do not follow the international sports law. You cannot cross the line, that's one of the most important things in Olympic sports'," he said.
Last month, WADA's founding president Dick Pound told Reuters that the Rodchenkov Act the United States is using to investigate the contamination case of Chinese swimmers is non-compliant with the world anti-doping code. Pound said the International Olympic Committee (IOC) might consider delaying the confirmation of Salt Lake City as host of the 2034 Winter Olympics.
"In my view, this Rodchenkov law is completely out of the mind. And also, people need to know, their own professional leagues do not follow the Rodchenkov law, like you are on the right to punish an international swimmer, testing overseas and you're not testing your basketball players, your football players, your hockey players. Come on, doesn't make sense at all," Pussieldi said.
'Ridiculous' Rodchenkov Act goes beyond US jurisdiction, unfairly targets China: analyst
'Ridiculous' Rodchenkov Act goes beyond US jurisdiction, unfairly targets China: analyst
Grassroots officials and students who teamed up with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the voluntary tree planting activity in Beijing on Thursday morning said afterwards they would commit more energy to protecting their country's natural heritage and greening efforts.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, was accompanied by other Party and state leaders as they joined residents and local officials on the bank of the Yongding River in Beijing’s Fengtai District to plant saplings.
Xi waved to the crowd as he arrived at the site before picking up a shovel to help plant saplings of several different types of tree.
Xi took time to ask students from local schools about their studies, life and participation in labor and sports.
"We came here today to participate in this tree planting activity. What surprised us was that President Xi also took part. He worked alongside us, digging and building up the soil around the saplings. He has always been concerned about our lives and studies, and he encouraged us to work and study hard," said Lyu Shuochen, a student from the Fifth Primary School in Fengtai District.
"President Xi is very knowledgeable and understanding. He also encouraged us plant more trees to improve the air quality and the environment," said Gu Weichen, another student from the school.
During the event, Xi also talked with local grassroots officials, discussing the importance of preserving the nation's natural heritage.
"Every year, [the general secretary] takes part in the tree planting activity in the capital. He shovels the soil and waters the trees, which are truly touching. As environmental builders, we are determined to work together to make areas along the Yongding River greener and make the water clearer, so that local people can safely enjoy the riverside and truly understand the significance of ecological preservation," said Ding Hongwei, deputy director of the Fengtai District Yongding River Management Office.
"For us, participating in the tree planting activity with the general secretary is a vivid practical lesson in grassroots governance. Today, the general secretary also stressed that [environmental efforts should focus on] improving quality, boosting industry and benefiting the people. For us as community workers, it means we must deeply engage in the grassroots affairs. We need to strive for growth and do practical things to provide support for the residents and the people around us," said Qian Cheng, Party secretary of Tianlun Jincheng community in Beijing's Fengtai District.
"In addition to building the capital into a garden city, we also integrate the concept of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature into our daily life and work. We hope to create a better environment for everyone," said Lin Qiaoling, a Party committee member in Caoqiao Village, Yuquanying Subdistrict in Fengtai District.
Encouraged by Xi, the environmental champions at the site pledged to actively engage in public welfare activities, joining forces to contribute to the building of a Beautiful China and making the country even greener.
"President Xi told us while we were watering the saplings that watering the trees is like nurturing us children. I will follow what President Xi said. I want to become a teacher to educate and nurture others, and sow the seeds for them to grow their talents," said Wang Nanbixuan, another student from the school.
"As a primary school student in the capital, I am committed to planting more trees, working harder, and adding more green spaces to make our capital even more beautiful," said Chang Yuyang, another student from the school.
"With the personal involvement and leadership of the general secretary, the greening efforts in the capital will reach a new level, and citizens will be able to more directly enjoy the results of ecological civilization development," said Ding.
"As the general secretary said, we will continue working, one generation after another, to improve the greening efforts for the people, and contribute our own strength to ecological preservation in the capital and the whole country," said Lin.
Planting trees with President Xi inspires new generation of environmental champions
