In the early days of 2021, a shocking revelation emerged in the world of swimming, revolving around the Chinese national team. Just seven months prior to the Tokyo Olympics, a significant doping scandal unfolded, implicating 23 of China’s top swimmers.
During a domestic meet, all 23 swimmers tested positive for the same banned substance. Upon investigation by Chinese antidoping officials, it was discovered that the athletes had unknowingly been exposed to a heart medication, trimetazidine (TMZ). The source of this exposure was traced back to the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers had stayed for a New Year’s event in late December 2020 and early January 2021.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the global authority responsible for overseeing drug-testing programs, examined the case but ultimately accepted the theory put forth by Chinese officials regarding the mass-contamination event. As a result, China was permitted to keep the details of the incident confidential.
Despite the positive drug tests, the implicated swimmers were allowed to continue competing without facing suspensions or disqualifications. Some of these swimmers went on to qualify for the Olympics and even secured medals, including three gold medals for China. A few of the athletes are now considered frontrunners for success at the upcoming Paris Olympics.
This clandestine scandal would have likely remained undisclosed had it not been for the leak of information from the sealed records of the organizations tasked with upholding the integrity of sports.
