China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) has noticed the latest news release by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on 25 April that a compliance audit on CHINADA will be launched by WADA to assess the current state of CHINADA’s anti-doping program in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code). The audit is part of WADA’s regular compliance monitoring program to ensure compliance with the Code. Previous compliance reviews of such kind also took place in 2017 through a compliance audit and in 2022 through a Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ), where we got professional guidance from WADA to further improve our work. CHINADA will actively cooperate with the coming audit by WADA, and provide assistance where needed.

We noted that WADA has invited an independent prosecutor from Switzerland to review its handling of the no-fault contamination case involving 23 swimmers from China, which is a clear demonstration of fairness, openness and transparency of WADA. 

Since the establishment in 2007, CHINADA has been carrying out its work in strict accordance with the Code and International Standards with “Zero Tolerance” attitude towards doping. In the trimetazidine (TMZ) contamination cases in swimming in 2021, CHINADA, rigorously and objectively, initiated thorough and comprehensive investigation immediately with scientific methods. Based on the findings of the investigation, results of environmental samples, combined with conclusions of scientific experiments, expert opinions and other evidence, including the prolonged and intensive testing records and analysis results of the athletes involved, it was finally decided that the Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for TMZ were an isolated mass incident caused by athletes’ unknowing consumption of food contaminated with TMZ when they were participating in the event. It was then decided that the athletes involved would be held to have no fault or negligence, and the above AAF cases should not be brought forward as Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). In the whole investigation process, CHINADA kept WADA and the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA, now known as World Aquatics) informed of relevant progress, and submitted the evidence from investigation, decisions made by CHINADA and the full case files. Conclusions from the investigation and the decision were accepted by both WADA and FINA.

It should be made clear that there have been false accusations and misleading defamatory reports from some organizations and media, including the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the New York Times, and the German broadcaster, ARD, who choose to ignore China’s firm attitude in the fight against doping in sport and the achievements in China’s anti-doping program, with bias and distrust rooted deeply in their minds. These organizations and media have held misconceptions, made misjudgment and released inappropriate reports and announcements. The information they have published are clearly contrary to the basic facts. What they are trying to do is manipulate public opinion by spreading misinformation in order to attack WADA and CHINADA, and shake the well-functioning global anti-doping system.

We strongly condemn the unauthorized disclosure of the names and other detailed private information which should have been confidential of athletes including some minors by ARD, the New York Times, and any other media, organizations and persons, which, in disregard of relevant laws and regulations, is a violation of the media ethics and morals and a serious infringement on the legitimate rights and interests of these athletes. CHINADA calls for WADA to investigate into the leaks of private information and reserves its right to take legal action as appropriate.

We hereby reiterate that CHINADA, as always, will work for the rights and interests of clean athletes and the integrity in sport with a firm work philosophy and principle of independence, impartiality, professionalism and authority.