World Aquatics has established a five-person anti-doping audit review committee in response to the news that 23 Chinese swimmers were allowed to compete in the Tokyo Games despite testing positive for a banned substance. The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) was unable to refute claims from the China Anti-Doping Agency (Chinada) that the swimmers unknowingly ingested a heart medication called trimetazidine (TMZ).
The goal of this committee is to improve the understanding of the anti-doping review process within the federation and learn from this experience to better equip World Aquatics for the future. The committee members are Miguel Cardenal, Ken Lalo, Annabelle Williams, Florent Manaudou, and Fernando Possenti. Their review and report are expected to be completed by next month.
Wada has launched an independent review into the handling of this case, led by Swiss prosecutor Eric Cottier. The findings of this investigation are anticipated to be delivered within two months. World Aquatics hopes that this process will help alleviate any doubts about the anti-doping movement and reassure athletes ahead of the Paris Olympic Games.
In the wake of this scandal, key bodies representing US athletes have called for a truly independent investigation into the matter. However, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach has expressed full confidence in Wada’s handling of the situation.