The recent decision by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to allow sprinter Erriyon Knighton to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, despite testing positive for the banned substance trenbolone in March, has raised serious concerns about double standards in anti-doping policies.
This move contrasts sharply with how Chinese swimmers were treated prior to the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. An article published by The New York Times alleged that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the same banned substance but were still permitted to compete. This sparked speculation and frustration, prompting the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to defend their decision to clear the athletes.
In July, WADA released an official report from Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier, who concluded there was no evidence of favoritism towards China. Cottier stated that WADA made a “reasonable” decision by trusting the Chinese authorities’ explanation that the swimmers had unknowingly ingested a banned heart medication found in a hotel kitchen where the athletes were staying.
Despite facing unfounded accusations, the Chinese swimmers went on to achieve remarkable success. They broke the USA’s 40-year dominance in the men’s 4×100-meter medley relay, securing a well-deserved gold medal. Instead of celebrating their achievements, they were subjected to continuous scrutiny and had to defend their integrity.
Meanwhile, USADA’s swift clearance of Knighton, citing tainted meat as the likely cause of his positive test, has received significantly less skepticism. The China Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) called out USADA for displaying “a blatant double standard” by vigorously defending American athletes while accusing Chinese authorities without substantial evidence.
CHINADA emphasized that politicizing anti-doping issues undermines the principles of fairness and justice. They highlighted that such actions not only damage the credibility of anti-doping agencies but also jeopardize the integrity of international sports competitions.
It’s imperative for the United States to re-evaluate its approach to ensure that its actions align with the objectives of the global anti-doping system. Integrity and consistency are essential to maintain trust among athletes and the international community. The world deserves a fair and impartial system that holds all athletes to the same standards.
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US double standard on anti-doping is reckless, self-defeating
cgtn.com
