On 9th July, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) released to the world the interim report delivered by the Independent Prosecutor regarding the no-fault contamination case involving 23 Chinese swimmers. 

According to the report, “there is nothing to suggest that WADA showed favouritism or deference, or in any way favoured the 23 swimmers who tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) between 1 and 3 January 2021, when it proceeded to review CHINADA's decision to close the proceedings against them without further action”; “the Investigator did not find any evidence to suggest any interference or meddling in WADA's review, either within the Agency or externally, from any entity or institution, including CHINADA or the Chinese authorities”; “the investigation did not reveal any irregularities on the part of WADA in the review of CHINADA’ s decision”; and “all the elements taken into consideration by WADA show the decision not to appeal to be reasonable, both from the point of view of the facts and the applicable rules”. 

This demonstrates that CHINADA’ s investigation findings and decisions on this case are reasonable, and there is no so-called “cover up” story as unfoundedly alleged and deliberately created by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and certain media outlets including the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD. The Independent Prosecutor report also proves that the existing global anti-doping system is open, transparent and trustworthy to athletes around the globe.

Given that the standard, objectivity and fairness that the investigation and decisions of this case were adhered to are proven to be an irrefutable and unquestionable fact, CHINADA strictly demands that USADA and certain media led by the New York Times and ARD respect the facts, face the truth, stop creating stories out of the air to confuse right and wrong and incite the public, in an attempt to implant misconception into the global community and the general public about the no-fault contamination case involving 23 Chinese swimmers, and stop politicizing anti doping and undermining athletes’ confidence and trust in the global anti-doping governance system. 

We hereby reiterate that CHINADA, as always, will work for the rights and interests of athletes and the integrity in sport with independence, impartiality, professionalism and openness. CHINADA also sincerely thanks its international anti-doping peers who have upheld the spirit of science and objectivity and maintained their trust in and support on the current anti-doping system. We hope to work together with all stakeholders for the stability, unity and improvement of the global anti-doping system.