China Accuses NY Times of Politicizing Doping Claims Ahead of Paris Olympics

CHINADA criticized the New York Times for allegedly politicizing doping issues to influence Chinese athletes' performance at the Paris Olympics. The agency defended its anti-doping protocols, calling the report unjust after Times revealed two Chinese swimmers tested positive for steroids in 2022 due to contaminated food.

China's anti-doping agency (CHINADA) has strongly condemned the New York Times, accusing the publication of politicizing doping issues to negatively impact Chinese athletes at the Paris Olympics. CHINADA asserted that it follows strict anti-doping guidelines and described the Times' actions as 'unfair and immoral.'

The controversy stems from a recent New York Times report indicating that two Chinese swimmers had tested positive for a banned steroid in 2022, but their provisional suspensions were lifted due to alleged contaminated food. CHINADA views the report as an attempt to disrupt the Olympic swimming competition and affect the psychology of Chinese athletes.

The Times' article has further aggravated tensions between the World Anti-Doping Agency and the U.S. anti-doping body, particularly in the wake of a similar case involving multiple Chinese swimmers before the Tokyo Games. U.S. Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart accused China of covering up the positive test results.