Anti-doping review clears Chinese swimmers of doping allegations

(ECNS) -- A report released by World Aquatics on Monday said an anti-doping audit review committee has not identified any irregularities, mismanagement or cover‐up by FINA in its review of the TMZ Case or in its decision not to appeal the decisions of the Chinese Anti-Doping Agency (CHINADA) in that case. 

In January 2021, 23 Chinese swimmers were tested positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) after having allegedly been inadvertently exposed to the substance through contamination.

An investigation by the CHINADA showed that the Adverse Analytical Findings (AAFs) for TMZ were an isolated mass incident caused by athletes' consumption of food contaminated with TMZ when they were participating in the event. 

On May 3, 2024, the World Aquatics established the anti-doping audit review committee to examine the processes and procedures by the World Aquatics "in addressing not only the TMZ Case, but all doping cases under its jurisdiction."

The process and procedure followed by FINA in 2021 was in accordance with both the operating procedures of FINA at that time, generally accepted operating procedures of other International Federations, and its obligations under the World Anti‐Doping Code, the report said. 

The committee, comprised of two athletes, a coach, and two experienced anti‐doping professionals, found World Aquatics to be "transparent and collaborative" in its review of the contamination case involving 23 Chinese swimmers.

Hundreds of pages of documentation were examined, including a summary of the actions taken by FINA in 2021 in relation to this case, and the operating procedures of World Aquatics effective in 2021 (and still currently in force). 

This report represents the culmination of rigorous examination, thoughtful deliberation, and collaborative effort undertaken by the members of the Committee and the Aquatics community, the committee said.